Elk Meadows

The first mile is easy and crosses tiny or bridged creeks. Crossing Newton Creek requires some log balancing or rock hopping, your experience may vary depending on the year and season. After you make the steep climb up the other side of the Newton Creek Canyon, there is an opportunity to go down to the cliff edge for a great view of the canyon and Mt. Hood. As you approach the meadow loop, going counter-clockwise brings you to the side of the meadow with lots of campgrounds and when you are halfway around it, a trail leads up into the middle of the meadow which has an old shelter and plenty of log stump chairs. It's a nice place to relax and watch the meadow for a while. If you wrap around the meadow on the other side for the way back, it is a bit farther back from the meadow, but eventually returns you to the main Elk Meadows Trail #645 you came in on which you take out.