Oregon · Hiking · Near Mount Hood Villages

Pioneer Bridle

Pioneer BridlePhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
7.0 mi
round trip
1,548 ft
climb
2,444 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Pioneer Bridle 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.

Pioneer Bridle is a 7-mile out-and-back hike in the Zigzag Ranger District of Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated hard, with a total climb of about 1,550 feet from the low point at 1,746 feet to the high at 2,444 feet. The steepest stretch comes early, around 0.4 miles in, with a grade of about 9%. 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 brings highs in the mid-30s and rain on most days. That station sits roughly 1,500 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. Pioneer Bridle Trail #795 starts just 0.3 miles away. The Zigzag River is 0.8 miles off, and Camp Creek and Still Creek Campground are both within about a mile and a half.

Around this trail

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

    Camp Creek

    Campground

    Campground · 1.3 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 Pioneer Bridle

    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, 4.9 mi away at 3,980 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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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