Terraces to Pipeline Trail Loop

Chilly but little people around. Need spikes no snowshoes yet

Bridge down connecting at Elbow Fork. A few icy spots on Terraces. Recommend microspikes.

Bridge at halfway point has red/yellow tape and is out. However, it looked sturdy enough, alternatively if you walk upstream there are some narrower spots and a small bridge you can cross.

The road to the trailhead is still closed for winter, so you’ll want to park on the highway near the mill creek picnic area and hike up the road. The trail itself is steep and icy so micro spikes are pretty much required. I only went a mile in and back, but it was quiet and in the trees most of the time which was great. I can’t wait to try this one again when it’s dry.

good hike, easier if you go counter clockwise. micro spikes are nice for secure footing.

The north half was fun but the south half was a bit too washed out.

You have to start on the road and after you hike up during almost 3.5km. It is steep. You have some point of views on the canyon and for 50meters you run on a terrace crest trail. After you start going down until you cross the road and join the pipeline trail which is way less on the shade but pretty flat. It is beautiful. Good run but not easy.

Wonderful trail run. I started at the Terraces and took the loop counter-clockwise, doing the climb first and the pipeline half last. On the Terraces side there were a half-dozen downed trees blocking the trail, which required a little effort to pass. A bit over-grown near the top, but soft needles on the trail the rest of the way. The pipeline half was wider, dustier, and about 3x more busy. I only saw two bikes (Sunday - Father’s Day).

I did this trail on 6/9/19. I went up the Pipeline trail, crossed the road and returned down the Elbow Trail. There is a vault toilet along the road as you switch trails. To make this a loop hike, you do end up hiking on the road for a bit. The trail was well maintained, although you do hike for a while in wilderness area. A small section of the Elbow Trail has you hiking on tree roots or you brushed against foliage while hiking. Elevation gain was gradual on the pipeline trail. The Elbow trail gained and lost elevation fast. If you take your time, and rest to catch your breath, you can manage the steeper sections of the trail. A fair amount of the trail is forested with little to see other than the mountain. This isn’t a destination hike. There wasn’t a lot of people on the trail. Of those on the trail, most of them had dogs with them. Be advised there is a small fee station for using Mill Creek Canyon. You pay as you exit.