“`html
Forest Road 2639 ends at a gravel lot 50 miles east of Portland. February morning, 8am, three cars parked. The sound of rushing water reaches you before you see the trailhead sign. Most drivers continue another 10 miles to Timberline Lodge where lift lines form by 9am. This 0.75-mile path stays empty.
The trail that Mount Hood crowds miss
Little Zigzag Falls Trail follows the Little Zigzag River through moss-covered Douglas-fir forest. The path gains 180 feet over less than half a mile. Rhododendron and huckleberry line both sides. Devil’s club grows thick in boggy sections near log crossings.
The trail stays cool even when Highway 26 hits 75°F in July. Canyon walls block direct sun until late morning. Water sounds drown out traffic noise within 200 feet of the parking area. Compare this to Ramona Falls where the 7-mile loop sees hundreds of hikers on summer weekends.
Three log bridges cross side streams. The main river runs crystal-clear over volcanic rocks. You can see the bottom in water 3 feet deep. Light filters through hemlock branches and creates moving patterns on the current.
What makes this creek different
Water clarity most trails don’t have
Little Zigzag River originates from snowmelt high on Mount Hood’s western slope. The water stays cold year-round. Turquoise pools form between rapids where the current slows. Moss-covered boulders create small cascades every 50 feet.
The creek differs from glacial-fed streams that run milky blue. This water shows every rock and fallen branch below the surface. Morning light at 7am produces the clearest photography conditions. By afternoon, canyon shadows create darker tones but the water stays transparent.
The 40-foot reward at trail’s end
Little Zigzag Falls drops in two tiers over basalt cliffs. Total height measures 40 feet according to Forest Service records. The base sits accessible for close viewing. Mist from the falls reaches 15 feet on high-flow days in May and June.
A trailhead sign mentions negative ions produced by cascading water. Winter transforms the falls into sculptural ice formations. Frozen sections appear by late December and last through March most years.
When quiet becomes the advantage
Winter snowshoe access
Forest Road 2639 gets plowed to Kiwanis Camp 2.2 miles from the trailhead. Snowshoers park there and add the road walk to their trip. Total distance becomes 3.5 miles roundtrip. The creek corridor holds packed snow from previous visitors November through April.
January through March guarantees solitude. A resident who snowshoes here weekly reports seeing fewer than 5 other people per trip. Compare this to Mirror Lake Trail where winter parking fills on clear weekends. The snowshoe silence at Crater Lake in February offers similar uncrowded conditions.
Summer families without crowds
The Northwest Forest Pass requirement was waived for summer 2025 due to service delays. No fee collection occurs at the trailhead. Dogs walk on-leash alongside families with young children. The gentle grade and short distance make this manageable for ages 5 and up.
Weekday mornings stay nearly empty even in July and August. Arrive before 10am and you’ll likely have the falls to yourself for 20 minutes. Afternoon visitors increase but never approach the density of popular Mount Hood destinations.
The one-hour escape from Portland
Drive time from downtown Portland runs 75 minutes via Highway 26 through Sandy and Welches. The route passes through Rhododendron 5 miles before the turnoff. Gas costs approximately $8 roundtrip at 2026 prices. Lodging in nearby Mount Hood Village ranges from $150 for basic motels to $300 for ski-area hotels.
Combine this hike with a morning at Timberline Lodge 12 miles east. The quick nature reset works between ski runs or as a cool-down after summit attempts. Dispersed camping along Twin Bridges Road costs nothing but fills fast on summer weekends. For empty coastal alternatives, Lubec offers similar uncrowded access.
Your questions about Little Zigzag Falls answered
Does the trail stay maintained in winter?
The Forest Service doesn’t groom the trail but snowshoers pack it down naturally. Bring traction devices like microspikes from November through April. Ice forms on log crossings and shaded sections. The road gets plowed to nearby Kiwanis Camp but not to the actual trailhead.
Can you see the falls without hiking?
No viewpoint exists from the parking area. The 0.4-mile walk to the falls takes 15 minutes at a moderate pace. The path stays visible and well-marked the entire distance. Total commitment runs 30 minutes roundtrip for most visitors.
How does this compare to other Mount Hood waterfalls?
Little Zigzag measures shorter than Ramona Falls at 7 miles roundtrip and easier than Elk Meadows at 6 miles. Tamanawas Falls offers more dramatic height at 4 miles but draws heavier crowds. This trail prioritizes quick serenity over Instagram-worthy scale. Similar volcanic waterfall experiences near Loreto require boat access instead of forest trails.
Morning fog lifts from the canyon around 9am in February. For maybe 20 minutes the entire creek corridor glows gold through the trees. Then normal daylight returns and the water goes back to its usual clear green. Most visitors miss this window completely.
“`