Timberline Trail Packing List

My 40-mile trek around Mt. Hood was my last backpacking trip of the 2021 season.

The mid-September weather was still dry and warm, so I was able to pack pretty light for this adventure. Nonetheless, I still wanted to try out a few pieces of gear that weren’t on my earlier backpacking trips to Mt. Whitney or thru-hiking the Oregon Coast Trail.

At the end of this post, I include my thoughts about the new items I added for this hike, what gear I left behind (intentionally or accidentally), and why I’d do differently if I were hiking this trail all over again.

(Note: As always, this packing list is simply what worked for me. I publish my packing list after each hike because I think there’s value in seeing what gear other hikers actually used, liked, or disliked on a particular hike. None of the hyperlinks in this post are affiliate links. They are simply there to provide a quick reference for the reader. Any item with an asterisk beside it indicates a deviation from my standard long distance hiking gear set-up.)

BACKPACK SET-UP

Backpack – Gossamer Gear G4-20 (42L) in electric blue
Accessories – Gossamer Gear Hipbelt Pocket (which I use as a fanny pack)
Accessories – Zpacks Shoulder Pouch
Pack Liner – Pack liner from Gossamer Gear
Emergency ID – Road ID attached to pack

SHELTER & SLEEP SYSTEM

Tent* – Gossamer Gear “The One”
Quilt* – Enlightened Equipment Enigma down quilt (10°F)
Air Mattress – Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite (size: regular wide)
Pump* – Them-a-rest NeoAir Micro Electric Pump

FOOD/COOKING ITEMS

Cook Pot – MSR Titan Kettle (0.85L) + homemade pot koozy
Spoon – Toaks long handle titanium spoon (w/ polished bowl)
Food Storage – Ursack Major lined with OPSAK odor proof bag (12″ x 20″)
Water filter* – Katadyn BeFree collapsable filter bottle (20 oz.)
Water storage* – just one 1L Smartwater bottle

ELECTRONICS

Phone/camera – iPhone XR (128GB)
Headphones* – AirPods
External battery – Anker Power Core 10000 external battery w/ USB cables for iPhone
Navigation* – Gaia GPS on my iPhone & Trails Illustrated Map #321
Headlamp – Nitecore NU25 headlamp (360 lumens)
Electronics Storage – Sea to summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack (size: XXS)

HIKING ACCESSORIES

Trekking Poles – Leki Cressida trekking poles
Sit Pad – Therm-a-rest Z sitting pad

HIKING CLOTHING (WORN)

Hiking Bottoms* – Nike Dryfit leggings & Purple Rain hiking skirt
Hiking Shirt – NRS Guide Shirt (long sleeve/snap front)
Hat – Headsweats Race hat
Sunglasses – Suncloud Cookie sunglasses with polarized lenses
Watch – Timex Ironman watch
Wallet – Roam minimal wallet (w/ ID and cash only)
Undergarments – Patagonia Barely sports bra & underwear

FOOTWEAR

Shoes* – Altra Lone Peak 5 (women’s wide width)
Hiking Socks* – Darn Tough Run No-Show Tab running socks
Gaiters – Dirty Girl gaiters

OUTERWEAR

Puffy coat – Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer
Hoodie* – Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie
Rain Jacket – Outdoor Research Helium II
Hat – Pink beanie hat
Gloves– Sporthill running gloves

EXTRA CLOTHES/CAMP ITEMS

Underwear – Patagonia Barely underwear (extra pairs)
Sleep Clothes – Smartwool merino wool leggings & Icebreaker 1/4 zip baselayer top
Sleep Socks – Inexpensive fuzzy socks from Target
Buff Headband – CoolNet UV+ multifunctional headband
Camp Shoes – Crocs Swiftwater sandals
Storage – Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil stuff sack (9L)
Reading Material *– Paperback book

HYGIENE ITEMS

Toiletry Storage – OPSAK odor proof bag (7″ x 7″)
Dental Care – Travel toothbrush/toothpaste + floss
Vision – Daily wear disposable contacts & glasses
First Aid Kit – KT tape, Body Glide (0.8 oz), bandaids, ibuprofen
Skin Care – Chapstick
Bug Spray – Sawyer Picaridin bug spray
Knife – Swiss Army knife (w/ mini scissors)
Cleaning – Wet Ones (travel size)
Toilet – Duece of Spades #2 trowel, TP, bandana (pee rag)
Trash storage – Large ziplock bag

POST-HIKE THOUGHTS

Although there was no rain in the weather forecast, I didn’t completely trust Mt. Hood. Not even on a short three day trip. This mountain can make its own weather, and I wanted to be fully prepared for whatever might transpire in early fall.

In addition to hiking in the shoulder season, I also needed to pack for the higher elevation. The average altitude this trail is just about a mile above sea level, which usually means chillier temperatures. Plus, I knew I wanted to spend my second evening sleeping up at Cloud Cap Saddle near 6,000′ elevation where the air temperature would be even colder.

Therefore, I opted to bring some warm items for the brisk mornings and nights I knew I’d likely encounter on the mountain. I was overall happy with my gear set-up, with one giant exception. The item I accidentally left at home. But more on that in a minute…

What new items did I add for this hike?

Tent. I purchased my Gossamer Gear “The One” tent in early 2021 with hopes of using it on the Ouachita Trail in Arkansas. But that long distance hike never happened though because of some lingering knee pain. I also only used it for a few days at the beginning of my Oregon Coast Hike back this summer before realizing it a single-walled, trekking pole tent wasn’t ideal for the beach’s loose sand and high humidity. Thus, the Timberline Trail was the first real multi-day backpacking trip where I got to truly test this tent out. Did I like it? Yes. It was lightweight, breathable, and easy to set up. It’s a great small tent for: (1) traditional hiking conditions, and (2) when your priority is to go as light as possible. But, honestly, I don’t think it’s ever going to replace my beloved Nemo Hornet 2P tent.

Quilt. This is only the second hike this year where I tested out my EE Enigma 10°F quilt, and I still absolutely love it! I expected the overnight temperatures on Mt. Hood to dip into the 30s during my hike, but it barely only made it down to the low 40s. Nonetheless, I was super toasty warm all night long and had no complaints. Having a roomy quilt that’s half a pound lighter, 10 degrees warmer, and a lot less bulky than my typical winter sleeping bag was awesome. This closed-toe box quilt will definitely continue to be my shoulder season and cold weather bag in the foreseeable future.

Mattress Pump. Earlier this summer I swapped out my old leaky Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite mattress for a newer one that actually stays inflated all night. I was elated to find out this model even included a pump sack for inflation instead of making users purchase it separately (like in years past). Then, after hearing some of my fellow hikers talk about the small battery-operated pumps Therm-a-rest was marketing, I began to wonder whether to carry one instead of the pump sack. So I figured I would give it try it on this short backpacking trip. My verdict: this little pump is not worth the added weight nor the $40 it cost me! It took absolutely forever to partially inflate my mattress before I got exasperated and finished blowing it up manually each night. The pump sack Therm-a-Rest included with the air mattress is much more efficient and lightweight than this battery-operated option.

Navigation. The Timberline Trail isn’t covered with confidence markers or blazes like other popular trails. And while there were usually wooden signs at the major trail junctions, but I can think of one meadow (shortly before McNeil Point) where at least four hikers picked the wrong path and ended up having to backtrack. So my point here is — you might want to bring something tangible to make sure you stay on track. I used two items to keep myself on track on this trail: (1) a physical map, and (2) a GPS route. My topographic map was the Trails Illustrated Mt. Hood Wilderness #321 map while my GPS route was one I created beforehand using Gaia GPS. Both were useful tools.

Hiking Skirt. While I love hiking in my Patagonia Baggies shorts, but I’ve always been “hiking skirt-curious.” Then this past spring, the owner of Purple Rain skirts announced a few new colors, including a lovely cherry blossom pink and I was all in. I have to admit, I really enjoyed hiking in this garment. The skirt material was just as durable as my hiking shorts. It dried super quickly after I hastily jumped in the creek to save my pack from floating downstream. It was easy to layer with a pair of leggings in cold mornings. And it made peeing in the wilderness feel a bit more modest. The only downside I could see was some occasional friction whenever the inside of my thighs or knees rubbed together. This problem had a quick solution though. I always carry a mini stick of body glide in my first aid kit. With just a quick swipe with that little stick, I was back in business. I’m definitely glad to add it in my hiking attire, and I can especially see its appeal on adventures where I’m constantly going back and forth between town and the trail (like the Camino de Santiago or other European hikes).

Women’s Altras. I’ve been wearing Altra shoes for nearly eight years now, but I never purchased a pair of women’s Altras until 2021. The reason why? Their women’s trail and road shoes only came in a standard width (B). Unfortunately, this sizing just didn’t work for my wide, Fred Flintstone feet. As a result, I always had to purchase my trail runners from Altra’s men’s line – because the men’s width (D) fit my feet so much better. Then, after nearly two decades, Altra finally introduced the Lone Peak 5 in a women’s wide (D width). Hallelujah! I could finally buy shoes that fit without being limited to black, navy blue, or ugly gray! Now, if only they’d make the Altra Timp in women’s wide sizes too!

Wool running socks. If you know me, then you know I’m a true fan of Injinji toe socks on my longer hikes. However, all the roadwalking on the Oregon Coast Trail thru-hike forced me to drastically re-think my shoe and sock choices this summer. So I returned to wearing regular running socks, which worked wonderfully for the remainder of the OCT. This recent experience left me questioning my hiking sock preference for the Timberline Trail too. Should I return to my beloved toe socks? Or stick with running socks? What about wool hiking socks? In the end, decided to give my Darn Tough winter running socks a go. It was only 40 miles, after all. So why not? In my opinion, they worked just fine. I got a small hot spot on one of my big toes, but nothing to truly complain about. And it’s nice to know I have options.

Hoodie. I’ve been lusting after a Melanzana Hoodie for about 5 years now. Yet I never could seem to get myself to their small Leadville, Colorado, store during business hours or when they were in stock. Then, Covid made ordering one online impossible. On my most recent Colorado trip to hike Mt. Elbert though, the hiking gods were smiling down on me, and I finally scored an appointment to buy one! Truthfully, I didn’t need to bring this hoodie on my Timberland hike. It wasn’t going to be cold enough for a hoodie AND my puffy coat. But, I wanted to try it out on the trail and see if it was everything I’d hoped it would be. Yes. It absolutely was. I love my Melly. And I plan to hike many more miles with it.

Paperback Book. This was a first for me. I typically listen to an audiobook in the evenings or read a library book on the Kindle app on my iPhone. But, this time out, I actually brought the 370-page paperback novel I was currently reading. I know what you’re thinking… Why did I carry an extra 10 necessary ounces on a hike? Was my current book so addictively good I just couldn’t leave it behind? No. It was a fine book, but the true reason I brought it was because I thought this hike would be a much more relaxing adventure. I rarely hike just 10-15 miles a day. So, I figured I’d have time to lounge around and read during lunch or at camp in the evening. As it turns out, the Timberline Trail zapped a lot more out effort from me that I expected and I didn’t have hours to read. Plus, I learned there is another downside of bringing a physical book beyond the extra weight. You might run down the battery of your headlamp in camp trying to read it. So for now on, I think I’ll stick to the books downloaded to my iPhone instead.

What items did I leave behind?

My Stove. With the exception of the 360 miles on the AT when I bounced my stove ahead, I’ve always hiked with a stove. My preferred cooking set up is the MSR PocketRocket2 with a small fuel canister and a mini lighter. All three of these items nestle nicely into my cook pot along with my Sea to Summit collapsable cup. But, I usually wrap my stove inside a bandana before tucking it in the cook pot just to keep it from clanging around and making noise while I walk. As I packed up for the Timberline Trail, I pulled my cooking gear out of the closet, and everything seem prepped and ready. My cook pot still had my fuel canister, lighter, collapsible cup, and bandana inside. Everything looked just like I’d left it after the Oregon Coast Trail. However, what I didn’t notice was that my stove was no longer wrapped inside the bandana any more! I’d accidentally left it behind!! And the worst time to discover this omission was at camp my first night on the trail! Dinner ended up being a cold Lara bar and some snacks from my food bag that night. Coffee the next morning was cold. But luckily, I spent my second night up at Cloud Cap Campground with plenty of hikers around. So I was able to bum a stove off one long enough to cook myself a hot dinner that evening. However, this accidental omission is one I won’t soon forget!!

Bug gear. Usually when the snow melts on Mt. Hood’s lower slopes, the bugs come out in droves. But this trip occurred after Labor Day, when most of all those pests are gone for the season. Consequently, I left my opted to leave my head net at home and just brought a mini bottle of Picaridin. I didn’t have any issues with mosquitos or insects while at camp or during my hike (with the exception of a noticeable number of bees buzzing around). So this turned out to be a solid choice.

Garmin InReach mini. Whenever I go on a solo backpacking trip these days, I usually bring my GPS satellite communicator along with me. It ensures I can text back home each night and let my loved ones know I’m ok and still on track. I didn’t bring my Garmin on this hike though – mostly because it was such a short loop, and it wasn’t a super remote backcountry hike. There were plenty of other hikers and trail runners out on the trail, and I had cell reception about 40% of the time. However, if I were hiking this trail outside of the peak season, I’d definitely consider bringing it along.

What would I do differently?

If I were hiking the Timberline Trail during the same season and conditions, a few things I’d consider doing differently:

Water Filter/Storage. During my prep for this hike, I read that water was super plentiful. So I drastically scaled back my water set-up from what I typically carry. I swapped out my Sawyer Squeeze for my Katadyn BeFree filter. I only carried a single 1L Smartwater bottle. And I left my 2L CNOC bladder at home. Truthfully, this system worked ok. That is, until I lost my 1L water bottle during a water crossing when my pack unexpectedly rolled into the river. That unfortunate turn of events left me with nothing by a 0.6L Katadyn filter/squeeze pouch for the rest of the hike. And, even though I made it work, I really didn’t like how uncomfortable this lack of water storage made me feel. Moreover, I missed having a second smaller ‘back-up’ bottle to mix up some Crystal Light or electrolyte mix during my hike. In the future, I’m definitely reverting back to my old ways.

Refine my packing list. I’m not a haphazard packer. My decades serving in the military taught me to always make (and use) a packing list before I head out to the trailhead. I even followed that method before my Timberline Trail hike. Yet, I still forgot my stove at home. How did this occur? As I went back and looked at my handwritten packing list, I noticed I simply put “water bottle, filter, cook pot, spoon, fuel, lighter” under my food/water category. My packing list didn’t even include my dang stove! Instead I used the mental shorthand of how I typically pack up my stove (inside cook pot) to ensure it made it on this trip. What’s the point of having a checklist if you omit the most critical item? Going forward, I plan to fix that careless mistake by printing out a detailed checklist of all my gear, and highlighting what I’ve gear packed – so I can see exactly what I’m leaving behind.

AirPods. I use my AirPods all the time when I’m out dayhiking, but I’ve never brought them on an overnight backpacking trip before. What if they got wet in the rain? What if I dropped them and didn’t notice until I was miles away? Was I really willing to take the risk and pay a king’s ransom to replace them? Yet this was such a short trip, I decided to bring them along just to see what it was like not to have my headphone cord always getting twisted in knots on a hike. The verdict on this item is no big surprise. I was completely paranoid about losing them each day. And then I nearly ruined them during the river crossing where my pack got soaking wet. All told, it was far too stressful to offset their ease of use. So, from now on, I’m leaving them at home.

Small Towel. There’s one item I really need to add to my packing list whenever I use my single-walled tent – a small piece of cloth to lightweight towel to sop up the light condensation that forms on the tent walls from my breathing at night. On this trip, I just used the bandana that I normally use to pad my stove inside my cook pot. However, in the future, I’m going to want a dedicated cloth or bandana to perform this duty instead.

Final Thoughts

So there you go folks. My complete packing list, and the many mistakes I made. As I look back, the Timberline Trail was definitely a memorable, if short adventure. If you’d like to read about some of my great Oregon trips, check out: