Mt. Hood National Forest

Climbing Mt. Hood

    Climbing Home | Detailed Information | Climbing Conditions | Avalanche / Weather Info. | Email

"It's a round trip. Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory."

- Ed Viesturs

Mt Hood was first known to the Northwest Indians as Wy'East. Mt Hood's summit rises to 11,237 feet above sea level. Geologists agree that Wy'East , like all the Cascade volcanoes, may only be "resting" from more active volcanic activity.

As you ascend Mt Hood, you enter the Mt Hood Wilderness Area. The Mt Hood Wilderness, 47,100 acres protected under the Wilderness Act, is heavily visited, so please do your part to "leave no trace" when visiting the area.

Climbing Mt Hood is a technical climb.  There are no trails to the summit.

Permits:

Wilderness permits are required on the approaches from Timberline Lodge year round and on all other approaches from May 15 to Oct 15.  These permits are free and self-issued.  At Timberline Lodge, permits are available 24/7 in the Wy'East Day Lodge.  For other approaches, permits are stocked in stations located on these wilderness trails from May 15 to Oct 15. 

Get a permit if you are planning to enter the Mt Hood Wilderness even if you don't plan on summiting.  Do not get a permit if you are not entering the Mt Hood Wilderness, only climbing to the top of the Palmer Snowfield, for example.

Group size:

Group size is limited to 12.  Consider climbing mid-week to enhance your opportunity for solitude.

Climbing Mt. Hood in Brief

South side of Mt Hood from Timberline.  July 4, 2003

   Landmarks on the southside.  Photo taken May 2003 -USFS.

June 20th, 2005  From Hogsback looking at Bergchrund and Pearly Gates

Portland Mountain Rescue's - Mt Hood Vitual Tour