Oregon · Hiking · Near Mount Hood Villages

Headwaters

HeadwatersPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
1.6 mi
round trip
186 ft
climb
3,449 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Headwaters open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Zigzag Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Zigzag Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Headwaters is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.6 miles in Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest, within the Zigzag Ranger District. The trail rises from 3,365 feet to 3,449 feet, with a total gain of 186 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 9 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Government Camp weather station show July and August highs around 70°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the mid-30s and rain on most days. The hike takes about half an hour, and the trailhead sits close to several other spots. Timothy Bike and Joe Graham Horse Campground are each about 0.1 mile away, and Clackamas Lake is about 0.4 mile off. Paddlers can reach the Oak Grove Fork Clackamas River at a similar distance.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Joe Graham Horse Campground

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Underwater Viewing Chamber

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Mount Hood Villages

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Headwaters

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 26°

      20 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 26°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 28°

      20 wet

    4. Apr

      45° / 31°

      18 wet

    5. May

      54° / 36°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      59° / 41°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 48°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 48°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      64° / 45°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 37°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 30°

      18 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 26°

      21 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Government Camp, OR, 13.7 mi away at 3,980 ft. The station sits about 500 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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