Zigzag River

Oregon

Mount Hood National Forest
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, Oregon 97055

Designated Reach: March 30, 2009. From its headwaters to the Mount Hood Wilderness boundary.

Classification/Mileage: Wild — 4.3 miles; Total — 4.3 miles.

The Zigzag River arises from the base of Zigzag Glacier at approximately the 5,000-foot elevation on Mt. Hood in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range. The 4.3-mile segment of the river from its headwaters to the Mt. Hood Wilderness boundary is administered as a wild river.

The river flows steeply over mud and pyroclastic flows through a sparsely vegetated area in a narrow canyon. The canyon rim itself and beyond is well-forested. There are two waterfalls within the segment adding to the diversity of the river. Intrusive rocks within the corridor are responsible for the waterfalls and other structures. This type of geology is found on other volcanic peaks throughout the region, as well as other locations on Mt. Hood, but is limited essentially to the higher elevations of those peaks, making it relatively unique in comparison to other rivers in the region. The river itself is glacial in origin and has a relatively even flow throughout the year, though it varies during spring runoff and rainfall events.