Easy Snowshoeing to Little Zigzag Falls
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One of the easiest snowshoeing trails near Portland is also one of the closest to the city. The short trek to Little Zigzag Falls follows a cascading creek on the way to a majestic waterfall framed by mossy rocks and pillowy snowbanks. This trail is great for families, beginners, and anyone who wants to see beautiful alpine scenery under a blanket of snow. Here is everything you need to know about snowshoeing to Little Zigzag Falls near Mt Hood.
Little Zigzag Creek
Know before you go
The forest service road leading to the Little Zigzag Falls Trailhead is plowed in winter until Camp Kiwanis, 0.5 miles away. When I visited, the road was clear until the Hidden Lake Trailhead (0.2 miles away). Park on the side of the road when you reach the end of the plowed section. My friends and I pushed a pickup truck out of deep snow in the road, so I wouldn’t risk driving in the unplowed section even if you have good clearance and four-wheel drive.
The Little Zigzag Falls Trail is 0.8 miles out and back. If you park at Camp Kiwanis, the total distance will be about 1.8 miles.
Parking at the Little Zigzag Trailhead requires the Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day). I don’t think you need a recreation pass if you park on the side of the road in winter, but I put the pass on the rearview mirror just in case.
Only a few other snowshoers were on the trail on the mild Sunday I visited. Finding parking was no problem.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail, although they may have trouble walking on the snow.
There are no restrooms or other amenities at the trailhead, at least if we’re not counting the picnic table buried in snow.
This trail is a family-friendly snowshoeing destination without major hazards or drop-offs. Just be sure to stay away from the edge of the creek unless you can see bare ground. If the snow gives way, you’ll be stepping in icy water.
Little Zigzag Falls is also a great hiking destination in the summer. Water from melting glaciers on Mt Hood feeds the falls, so you’ll still see plenty of water in dry months. Look for wildflowers and blooming rhododendrons in July.
This picnic table is delightful…in the summer
What to bring
When I visited, Mt Hood had gotten several feet of snow, followed by several rainy days. The snow was pretty packed down, so I skipped the snowshoes and used microspikes. The pros are that they are more comfortable and less bulky than snowshoes. The downside is you can still sink into the snow if it’s not firm enough.
Me in my microspikes next to some deep footprints
Under most trail conditions, I’d say snowshoes are the best choice. Even in the packed snow, I ended up stepping in softer patches enough times to have wet feet by the end of the hike. If you’re coming from Portland, you can rent snowshoes in Sandy on your way to the hike. I had good rental experiences at Otto’s Ski Shop and Next Adventure before I bought snowshoes. Rentals are about $20/day.
If you think you’ll snowshoe more than once, buying your own is more convenient and cost-effective. These snowshoes from Amazon are a good, sturdy beginner pair that come with poles.
No matter what gear you bring, you’ll want waterproof, insulated snow boots in the winter. I lent my snow boots to a friend and used regular hiking boots. They got me to the waterfall, just not with dry feet. I’d recommend a pair like these Columbia snow boots for men and women.
Last but not least, use traction tires or carry tire chains on Highway 26. It’s required in the winter.
Little Zigzag Creek
On the trail to Little Zigzag Falls
Distance: 1.8 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass required: NW Forest Pass at Little Zigzag Trailhead.
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.
ADA access: No
Season: All year. Snowshoeing is best from January through March.
Take the forest service road to the trailhead
The details:
After you park, continue to the end of Forest Road 2639 (Kiwanis Camp Road) on foot. The road will end at the snowy parking lot for the Little Zigzag Falls Trailhead. Take a minute to admire the impressive cliff face there before crossing the parking lot to reach the trailhead. This area was once a quarry.
Little Zigzag Falls parking lot
Next to the trailhead, look for a picturesque stone bridge across Little Zigzag Creek that will likely be covered with snow. This bridge is a remnant of a bygone highway in use before the construction of present-day Highway 26.
The stone bridge crossing Little Zigzag Creek is part of a former highway built in 1923
Once you reach the Little Zigzag Falls Trail, you’ll follow the creek throughout the hike. Just after the trailhead, you’ll pass a picnic table best enjoyed in warmer months and a couple of interpretive signs, one about the old highway and another about the healthful benefits of negative ions from the creek. Not sure about the science of that one, but it is a relaxing place to visit.
Oh my, what lovely ions
The Little Zigzag Falls Trail is straightforward, even when snow covers it. You’ll be snowshoeing on a flat trail next to the creek, sometimes with a cliff on your other side. Doug firs and western hemlocks keep plenty of green in the forest year-round. On the mild day I visited, mossy logs and rocks were emerging from melting snow. There were a few fallen trees along the way, although none were major obstacles.
Little Zigzag Creek
At one point, the trail narrows as you walk between the creek and a cliff covered in chunky icicles. Behind the melting ice, look for hints of green moss. Although the trail was not so much treacherous as slushy, I was glad to have some extra traction on my boots here.
Icicles add some excitement to the Little Zigzag Falls Trail
A little after the icy cliff, you’ll reach a wooden footbridge. Walk in the middle of the bridge when crossing. If the snow near the edge is soft, it can crumble.
You’ll cross a small footbridge around the halfway point
After crossing the bridge, the trickiest parts of the trail are behind you. You’ll pass a lovely bend in Little Zigzag Creek, then reach an open expanse of snow.
Cross this field of snow and you’ll almost be at Little Zigzag Falls
Just ahead is the end of the trail and the hike’s finale, 41-foot Little Zigzag Falls. After a few unseasonably warm days on Mt Hood, the waterfall was powerful as I watched it cascade down rocks and fallen tree trunks. The snow around the falls had receded, revealing a mossy stone frame for the rushing water. Little Zigzag Falls has two tiers, although they can be hard to distinguish when large volumes of water tumble over them. You can clamber up an unofficial trail to the top of the falls, but the best views are from the bottom.
Little Zigzag Falls
After enjoying the waterfall, getting your pictures, and, most importantly, soaking in those ions, return the way you came.
Where to eat after snowshoeing
Government Camp is nearby and an obvious choice for lunch, but I’d suggest heading west to avoid the ski traffic from Mt Hood. The Zigzag Mountain Cafe is a cozy spot that looks like a log cabin both inside and out. The food includes crowd-pleasers like burgers, pizza, and pasta. Its best feature is its back window that looks onto Bear Creek and its surrounding conifer forest.
Skyway Bar and Grill
Just down the road is Skyway Bar and Grill, where you can get BBQ, build-your-own mac & cheese, wine, beer, and hot toddies. On a nice day, the patio is a treat. In winter, head inside to sit by the wood-burning fireplace and listen to logs crackle. If you visit in the evening, you might be able to catch one of their live music shows.
Getting there
To reach Little Zigzag Falls from Portland, take Highway 26 W until about 5 miles east of Rhododendron. Turn left onto Forest Road 2639 (Kiwanis Camp Road). Continue for about 2 miles until the plowed section of the road ends near Camp Kiwanis. Park along the side of the road and walk the rest of the way to the trailhead (about 0.5 miles). If the road is clear until the Hidden Lake Trailhead parking lot, you’ll only have 0.2 miles to the Little Zigzag Falls Trailhead. The drive from Portland takes a little over an hour.
Enjoy your snowshoeing trip to Little Zigzag Falls!
With love,
Emma
Look for parking along the road to the trailhead before the snow gets deep
Explore nearby
Snowshoe to Trillium Lake.
Snowshoe to Tamanawas Falls.
