Timberline Trail — Mt. Hood

The Timberline Trail is in solid shape for a November loop. No snow at any of the SNOTEL stations (Annie Springs at 6,021 ft is sitting at 0 inches), temps in the 45–57°F range all week, and zero fire activity within 50 miles. The mountain is wide open.

Stream crossings are the main thing to manage. The USGS flow data attached to this briefing is pulling California gauges rather than Hood-area streams — disregard those numbers. What matters here is that late-season flows on the Sandy, Zigzag, and Eliot Branch are typically low and stable in mid-November absent recent precip, and you've had none. Crossings should be straightforward, but always assess on arrival — late-afternoon flow can run slightly higher if any residual warmth drives melt on the upper mountain.

Daylight is tight at 9 hours 41 minutes, with sunset at 4:43 PM. That's your biggest logistical constraint on a long trail. If you're doing the full 40-mile loop in 3 days, you're looking at 13+ mile days. Get moving by 7:30 AM at the latest each day — that gives you usable light from first light through mid-afternoon to cover ground before you need to set up camp. Don't count on much navigation time after 4 PM.

The weather window is good through Thursday, then it closes. Thursday night brings a 38% chance of rain, and by Friday it's 86% with confirmed light rain and winds gusting to 12 mph SE. If you're planning a 3-night trip ending Friday the 14th, finish your miles Thursday and position yourself for a morning exit before the rain gets serious. High camp on a wet, windy Friday above 5,000 ft in November is miserable even if it's not dangerous.