Timberline Trail late August

I’m going to hike the Timberline trail with my sister later this week — 3 nights/4 days or possibly 4 nights/4 days if we hike a few miles the first night.

I’m pretty happy with my pack weight but I’m definitely open to suggestions. Also I’m used to hiking in the Rockies, not the Cascades these days and don’t know if I’m going overboard on clothing. I’m not sure I really need a mosquito net. Quilt — I decided to use my daughter’s quilt, it seems to fit me lengthwise somehow, and I think with the temps on Hood I can handle any drafts I get from using a slim width quilt. It’s a 20 degree packed with overfill but I sleep cold. Shelter — I’m hoping my new squall pole arrives imminently or else I will probably use the Saddle 2 sans fly solo (it seems like the bugs are limited to certain areas?), or talk my sister into sharing the Saddle with me vs two separate tents.

https://lighterpack.com/r/9bnlni

That looks like a pretty good list.  You have two tents listed but only need one so that will reduce your listed weight

Low temperature should be 40 F.  There’s a slight chance of some showers.

Definitely bring headnet and DEET.  They’re beginning to peter out so you’ll likely not need them.

Bring smoke masks. Seriously. Portland looked a dystopian future yesterday. Could not see Hood.

On another negative note: The new Elliot crossing apparently got seriously eroded over the winter. I haven’t finished researching (tentative trip planned for early Sept) but some hikers are going back to the old crossing. I was going to start at the Top Spur trailhead, but may switch to the Cloud Cap TH — longer drive, but I’ll get that crossing done first.

Hope the smoke clears for you by the end of the week and that the crossing is no big deal!

List looks pretty similar to mine!

• I’d take the raincoat (v poncho) regardless of the forecast.
• If you really wanted to shave an oz or two you could probably swap out the GSI kettle for something lighter.

Someone reported using the new crossing of Eliot

http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=26834&hilit=eliot&start=20

BRING A MOSQUITO HEADNET!!!!

Jonathan, I think your comment is a little late since she took the trip a couple of months ago.

Yeah already off the mountain. Amazingly we didn’t have any issues with bugs the entire time. Now for my trip to the Winds next summer I am planning on a bugnet!

I was just on the Timberline Trail and there were only a few bugs, I didn’t notice any bites

I was on the Three Sisters in July and the bugs were terrible.  I had a headnet which helped.  I think maybe the low point was when I was brushing my teeth with headnet on, and I forgot and spit through the netting.  Sort of funny but there so many bugs there was no time to laugh, just get moving as quick as possible.  While walking briskly the bugs didn’t bite.

Why all the angst over whether or not to prepare for mosquitoes?  Except for snow camping, I have Permethrin treated clothes and bring a headnet on every trip.  The Permethrin is primarily for ticks (the most dangerous predator out there by a long shot) but works for the skeeters too if they happen to be out, and the headnet weighs barely an ounce, including its cute little stuff sack.

I was on that trail one July and got eaten alive by mosquitos

The mosquitoes are gone, but for anyone planning to hike this area in the coming few weeks,  I will post a reminder next February about the snow.