Elevation
11,239 ft / 3,426 m
Region
Highlights
- Mount Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon and the fourth highest in the Cascade Range.
- A stratovolcano considered the Oregon volcano most likely to erupt. Active sulfur boiling vents dot the mountain.
- Located about 50 miles from Portland, Oregon, it has convenient access and minimal technical climbing challenges.
- Home to 12 glaciers and very frequently climbed with about 10,000 people attempting to summit every year.
- The most popular route, called the South Route, begins at Timberline Lodge and proceeds up Palmer Glacier.
Routes
34 climbs • 9.1 mi • 5,305 ft gain • 9 hr 6 min
29 climbs • 7.0 mi • 5,414 ft gain • 8 hr 8 min
12 climbs • 6.7 mi • 5,101 ft gain • 8 hr 14 min
9 climbs • 7.3 mi • 5,369 ft gain • 12 hr 17 min
6 climbs • 7.6 mi • 5,292 ft gain • 8 hr 22 min
Latest climbs

"December 6, 2024. Stunning sunrise. Finally got to climb Mazama Chute after having to turn around in July and do 1 o'clock instead when there was an ice step with bad sticks. Cruiser climbing conditions today. Descended via 1 o'clock. Natural ice fall was more prevalent than I have seen coming down from the Old/Chute 1 o'clock area. The snow did not quite warm up enough for an amazing ski down, but still not too bad above Palmer. With Ryan." — runningvegan • Dec 6, 2024

"November 30, 2024. Climbed Pearly Gate left, there were two mixed rock/ice sections leading into the gates. The sun during the week made the ice melt quickly off these sections, previously they were not reported to be mixed. There was an 8-ish foot ice step in the left gate. Challenging conditions, with a mix of good sticks and not so good sticks. Ice was easy to flake off in places and totally solid in others. Really had to work for the summit today. Descended via 1 o'clock, easy peasy. Excellent early snow made for great skiing conditions on the way down. With Ryan. " — runningvegan • Nov 30, 2024

"July 13, 2024. Road booter for the first mile then skinned up. Solid refreeze overnight made for great climbing conditions. We tried Manama Chute and the snow at the very top was rotten, came back down and climbed trusty 1 o’clock up and down. Best skiing down from Devils Kitchen when compared to the last two summits. Skied all the way down to the parking lot. With Ryan. " — runningvegan • Jul 13, 2024

"June 30, 2024. A great day above the clouds. Rained and misted on the drive in. Climbed 1 o’clock up and down and skied down from DK. 40 minutes slower post-Covid. With Ryan. " — runningvegan • Jun 30, 2024

"Climb Stats:
Depart TH: 01:55
Reach top of Magic Mile: 02:30
Reach top of Palmer: 03:30
Reach Crater Rock: 04:50
Reach Hogsback: 05:15
Summit: 06:00
Return TH: 10:00
(Total time: 8hrs 5 min)
" — sklarguy • Jun 24, 2024

"Today was a big day with about 6,000 of climbing over some technical terrain. I have been planning my assault on #mounthood since last year and today I finally got to the top thanks to some friends and a lucky weather window.
This is my 18th state high point and one of the tougher ones. Mount Hood is an active stratovolcano and is located about 50 mi east-southeast of Portland, on the border between Clackamas and Hood River counties. In addition to being Oregon’s highest mountain, it is one of the loftiest mountains in the nation based on its prominence, and it offers the only year-round lift-served skiing in North America. Hood is also the second most climbed peak in the world. Nearly 10k climbers attempt it every year as evidenced by the conga line of head lamps headed up the mountain in the early morning hours.
It’s tough, the conditions are ice and a fall can result in a “slide for life” situation if you can’t arrest your fall. Usually climbers start around midnight to get off the mountain before the sun is out to cause ice and rock fall on the high mountain.
At 11,249’, it’s not the highest of all peaks around but the last 800’ or so through the pearly gates or old ch..." — wiweasel • May 18, 2024

"May 10, 2024. Finally getting over the Achilles tendon injury. Started at 5:15am, Palmer time 1:32. Summit time 4:03, second fastest summit time. Up and down 1 o’clock. Skied down from Devils Kitchen. With Ryan." — runningvegan • May 10, 2024

"Great weekend conditions today for a summit! Took the one o clock Couloir variation which was very narrow. Some light breezes at the summit were a great reward for the climb. Climbing routes are limited this year. The pearly gates are all but impassable without two tools and some ice experience. That pushes everyone over to the Old Chute which means people raining ice down on you during ascent and descent. Thankfully nothing could keep the vibes down today and topped out 4:30 hours from parking lot to summit!" — oregon-mt-goat • Mar 30, 2024

"Sometimes when you start a climb at 3am, breaking the trail through 6-8” of new snow is too much. Should have waited two hours and followed the ants up the hill that used my boot track. Stopped at Devils Kitchen since the upper mountain was still in early season conditions and not inviting. Try again next month. " — oregon-mt-goat • Feb 10, 2024

"February 3, 2024. Turned back at the 6 foot ice step in left PG. James cleared the step out and tried to climb it, but could not get a firm hold with his right tool to pull up safely. We thought about trying the right gate or doing Old Chute instead, but down climbing was very taxing. Excellent skiing conditions above Palmer. My first time skiing down from Devils Kitchen. With James. " — runningvegan • Feb 3, 2024