Hike: McNeil Point - Friends of the Umpqua Hiking Club

Hike 3 of 3: Annual Campout 2023
MCNEIL POINT
On this third and final day of hiking, we had determined one certainty: Mt Hood attracts people. Like tasty campers attract blood-thirsty mosquitoes, which thankfully there were next-to-none on this trip, Mt Hood draws its fair share of nature-lovers and thrill-seekers. As we made our way to the trailhead to hike toward McNeil Point on the northwest side of Mt Hood, we thought we were heading to a rather remote trailhead that might be void of the large crowds we've already witnessed this trip. We totally miscalculated this one. After parking about a quarter mile away from the trailhead due to the number of cars alongside the road, we at least knew that if we had some sort of emergency that there would be a large pool of humanity to call upon.
We began the steady climb up through the forest and rounded Bald Mountain. This is where we saw our first glimpse of Mt Hood, rising high in the east, basking in the mid-morning sun. The vantage point here was surreal in the most magnificent way, and if this was the end of the hike, we would've been satisfied and gone home with smiles on our faces. Fortunately, this was just the beginning of the hike.
The trail continued up higher along a ridgeline, eventually opening up to a fantastic meadow overlooking the large and deep Muddy Fork Creek, pumice-covered hills, and of course Mt Hood. It was here that several hikers decided to call it good enough, while others made the more difficult climb to McNeil Point and the old stone shelter there. From there, the views were as good as it gets. And for all of us, this proved to be the most perfect hike to end our annual campout on.
We made it back to our vehicles, where we counted at least 100 vehicles parked along the forest service road. If you can picture your average forest service road with 100 vehicles parked on it, then you get the picture.