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- Mount Hood
11,249 ft · Cascade Range, Oregon
Mount Hood
Mount Hood is an 11,249 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Oregon. The standard route is the South Side Route: 8 mi, 5,300 ft of gain, Class 3.
Mount Hood at a glance
- Elevation11,249 ft3,428 m
- RouteSouth Side RouteClass 3
- Distance8 mi5,300 ft gain
- Time8 – 12 hrsVery Hard effort
- SeasonApr – Jun
- RangeCascade RangeOregon
Climbing the South Side Route
From Portland, Oregon, drive about 60 miles east to Timberline Lodge at 6,000 feet. The south side route via the Hogsback is standard, requiring glacier travel skills, rope team technique, and knowledge of crevasse rescue. Rock and icefall hazards exist at the Pearly Gates and Old Chute sections above the Hogsback. Start by midnight for frozen conditions and to avoid afternoon rockfall. Conditions vary significantly day to day so check recent reports from guide services. Permits required year-round. This is a serious mountaineering objective despite the accessibility. Many accidents occur each year.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (40–55 L)
Crampons
Gaiters
Helmet
Rope
Carabiners
Belay Device
Ice Axe
Harness
Headlamp
Mountaineering Boots
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Hardshell Pants
Warm Hat
Sun Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Heavyweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
Satellite Communicator
GPS Device
Power Bank
Sleeping Bag (0°F to 20°F)
Sleeping Pad
Glacier Glasses
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Trail Shoes
Water
First-Aid Kit
Offline Maps
What to watch for
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- Rockfall
- Icefall
- Steep exposure
- Storms
- High winds
- High altitude
- Serac fall
- Avalanches
- Icy summit conditions
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
Mount Hood on Yak
Climbers have shared 18 climbs of Mount Hood on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with Mount Hood
50 State Highpoints
Cascade Volcanoes
Lower 48 UltrasFrequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Hood?
Mount Hood is 11,249 feet (3,428 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Oregon.
Is Mount Hood the highest point in Oregon?
Yes. At 11,249 feet, Mount Hood is the highest point in Oregon.
How hard is it to climb Mount Hood?
The South Side Route is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 8 miles with 5,300 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb Mount Hood?
Most people take 8 – 12 hours round trip on the South Side Route, covering 8 miles with 5,300 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Do you need a permit to climb Mount Hood?
Yes, but it is free. Climbers fill out a self-issued wilderness permit at the climbers' register at Timberline Lodge before heading up. Check current rules with Mount Hood National Forest before you go.
Is Mount Hood dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Mount Hood?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the South Side Route for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
What time should you start climbing Mount Hood?
Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 8 – 12 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.
When is the best time to climb Mount Hood?
The usual climbing window is April to June. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Hood?
The South Side Route starts at about 5,900 feet, roughly 5,349 feet below the summit.
Where can I check avalanche conditions for Mount Hood?
Check the Mt Hood forecast from NWAC at nwac.us before any trip with snow on the route.
Climb Mount Hood with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list