Cairn Basin
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this location
- Cairn Basin from Top Spur Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Cairn Basin via Mazama Trail Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Hikes including this location
- Latitude: 45.4043
- Longitude: -121.7241
- Maps: Portland Hikers Maps Google Earth
- Elevation: 5640 feet
Contents |
Description
Cairn Basin, home of a shelter and several campsites, is on the north side of Mount Hood, between McNeil Point and Wy'East Basin. It is 4.7 miles from Top Spur Trailhead if you go via the face of Bald Mountain, 4.1 miles if you go direct, and 4.2 miles from Vista Ridge Trailhead. The shelter is open on one side, there's a fireplace with chimney, and though the roof drips when it's raining, it's still a good place to keep in mind in stormy weather.
Unlike Elk Cove or Wy'East Basin, Cairn Basin is mostly timbered, if sparsely. The widely spaced trees create enough openness for camping, but enough shelter to break the wind. There are meadows on both sides of the timbered camping area that bloom in late July and August, with several species blooming at once.
The Eden Park Trail joins the Timberline Trail in Cairn Basin, just 100 feet or so west of the shelter. Hikers in a westbound direction should take care; the Timberline Trail heads off to the left at the junction and going straight ahead will start you down to Eden Park.
This is a popular camping spot in the summer, but it's a big enough area so you're not on top of each other. If it's real busy, try going to the left (northwest) or keep going to the other end and go left (northwest). Another possibility is to take the trail to the right, up, past the shelter, a ways from the other sites.
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- Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)
- User:retiredjerry