Mount Hood, Oregon: Incredible snow capped peak in the Cascade Range

July 20, 2015

11,249 foot Mount Hood - Cascade Range, Oregon

"The Mountains are calling and I must go" John Muir

Rising to an elevation of 11,249 feet, Mount Hood is the highest peak in Oregon and the 4^th highest peak in the mighty Cascade Range. Every time I visit Portland if I’m lucky enough to be there on a clear day, I like to look at Mount Hood and dream about someday climbing its summit. While it is not a difficult climb when compared to higher summits in the Cascades such as Rainier, Adams and Shasta, reaching the summit of this peak requires stamina, lack of vertigo, good judgement and technical climbing ability. Mount Hood when viewed from almost any direction is a sharp almost surreal snowcapped peak rising up abruptly from a blanket of evergreen trees. There are 12 named glaciers on this mountain which explains its year round snowcapped appearance. This incredible mountain is a volcano and while the potential for it to be active exists, the chances of it erupting are so remote that the USGS considers Mount Hood to be a dormant volcano. Mount Hood was named in honor of Lord Samuel Hood who was an Admiral at the Battle of the Chesapeake by Lt. Broughton who was a member of CPT Vancouver’s exploring expedition in 1792. On my last visit to Mount Hood I drove up to the Timberline Lodge and just hung out for a while, spell bound by the amazing July scene of snow fields and hanging glaciers.

Mount Hood as seen from near Timberline Lodge

The terrain is not what you would expect. It is quite dusty due to the grey sometimes powdery volcanic ash and other volcanic rocks. Without snow cover, the ascent of this peak would be extremely treacherous given what it is composed of. In fact, the Mount Hood National Forest has a ranger who prepares climbing condition reports from mid-April through mid-July but discontinues the service after that annually because the danger of rock fall is too extreme. Mount Hood is one of the most climbed glaciated peaks in the world – dangers notwithstanding. However, every year there are climbing fatalities on the mountain and some are experienced climbers. Signs that I saw near the timberline lodge proclaimed that climbing is done at the climbers own risk and that rescue is often difficult and sometimes impossible. Listed hazards include avalanches, rock fall, icefall, hypothermia, frostbite, and rapid unpredictable weather changes. It also states that if you attempt the climb, you must have a map, compass and altimeter. Some hikers have died because they descended the south side routes in poor visibility without a compass. It is a terrifying thought to think about descending the knife ridge and then clouds come up out of nowhere and you are stuck in a white out without a compass with 1,000 foot drops in several directions. All of these considerations and information cause me to reconsider my desire to climb the peak but at the end of the considerations……..I believe one day I will challenge this mountain but when I do, I will certainly be prepared. I hung around the Timberline lodge for a bit longer and then I went exploring below and ended up at Trillum Lake where the mountain is framed perfectly – reflected in the lake. If you are ever in the Portland area and the weather is agreeable, take a drive up to the Timberline lodge. The scenery and experience are well worth the effort.