We hiked the easiest of 3 options to Paradise Park. 12 miles, 2300' gain (more like up and down, so no absolute elevation gain). Very dusty: walking in sand half of the time. Plenty creek. Half forested, half hot and open. Mountain aster and mariposa lily are a big show here. Paradise Park is nicely open, filled with flowers, some short trees shading a few camp sites. But the access here is long and somewhat boring. However it's interesting to see how different the west side and south face of Mt. Hood.
10am, start from the busy and sun drenched Timberline parking lot. One lift is still operating. We could see Mt. Jefferson very easily, but too hazy to see 3 Sisters. First mile is not interesting: traversing the ski lift area. Enough lupine on the dry soil to make it not too boring. Sure, Mt Hood is right in your face. So dry and hot this summer that Hood doesn't seem to have much snow left. 
At mile 1, Little Zigzag Canyon is easier to cross. Then 1 mile of small meadows and grass without view of Hood, before we reached the overlook of Zigzag Canyon. Then, ~1 mile down in the forest to cross Zigzag River (hate to go uphill on the way back). Good view here. Crossing is not a big problem. 12:30 lunch at a lovely creek strewn with pink monkeys, white valerian, lupine. Paintbrush here is more raspberry color. A good shaded campsite before crossing the creek. At ~mile 4, turn right to Paradise Park trail. Further up is more open, but less flowers. Too exposed. We went to investigate a big boulder, looking like a cracked dinosaur egg. A couple of plagues. Some people camp here.On the way back we went along PCT, passed a waterfall. Just a few steps side tracked, can see the upper cascade. Not bad at all. A lollipop kind of trail. The first half is better.
I was 7 minutes late, because I checked Saturday's schedule. The trip leader, Tom, and others graciously waited for me. 12 people today. We stopped at Zigzag inn for pizza.
