Climbing Mt. Hood
Quick Tips
- Climb mid-week for reduced crowds.
- Mt. Hood is a technical climb and requires planning. Consider a guided climb.
- View current conditions photos during the climbing season.
- Email the Climbing Rangers at SM.FS.climb_mthood@usda.gov with your conditions and trip planning questions.
- Purchase your Mt. Hood Climbing Permit any time before the start of your climb.
- You are responsible for your own safety. Be careful out there.
Climbing Conditions Report
July 3, 2025: Summer Climbing Statement
Decreasing snow coverage will continue to deteriorate climbing conditions until winter snowfall. Hazards like rockfall and glacial features are prevalent, making climbing routes considerably more challenging or out of season. Climbing rangers no longer recommend attempting a summit climb in the 2025 season due to significantly elevated mountain hazards.
Regular climbing condition reports have ended for the 2025 season. We will provide periodic updates this fall and winter and resume regular climbing condition reports in the spring of 2026. Check our website and social media for updates.
WEATHER NOTES
Summer can bring a wide array of weather to Mt. Hood. Temperatures can vary from quite warm to below freezing, and fast-moving storms may intersperse periods of mild weather. If you choose to travel anywhere on the upper elevations of Mt. Hood, diligently check National Weather Service forecasts to plan your days and immediately before you ascend.
SNOW AND ROUTE CONDITIONS
Variable snow conditions and diminishing snow cover will persist until significant snowfall occurs this fall or winter. Expect large sun cups, rockfall debris, loose scree, and other late-season conditions across the upper mountain. All climbing routes require scrambling on steep, loose rock as none hold continuous snow to the summit.
MOUNTAIN HAZARDS
Year-round, many hazards can pose significant threat to climbers.
Rockfall and icefall: Rockfall will be your primary hazard on the upper mountain this time of year. Climbers can easily dislodge loose rock above you. Natural rockfall also occurs frequently, and while most common during the heat of the day, it happens at all hours when large areas of loose, dry rock are exposed. Upper mountain ice accumulations are minimal as of this writing but can develop quickly during stormy periods and subsequent warming can produce icefall.
Long, sliding falls: Long, sliding falls have proven very dangerous or even fatal on Mt Hood. Late season obstacles such as rocks, open fumaroles, and cracks can exacerbate the consequence of a sliding fall. Make sure you have the proper gear, including crampons on stiff-soled mountaineering boots and an ice axe or two, and the ability to travel on steep snow before attempting the upper mountain.
Glacial features and fumarole holes: Many deep cracks are open across the mountain, and some may have thin snow bridges that won’t support the weight of a skier or climber. Do your homework before traveling in glaciated terrain and carry the proper glacier rescue gear before attempting routes with crevasses. Also take care to avoid fumarole melt holes on the south side, near Devil’s Kitchen and Hot Rocks. Like glacial crevasses, these holes and cracks in the snow are often larger than they appear from the surface.
Weather: Mt. Hood is notorious for its rapidly changing weather. Thunderstorms and snowstorms can happen at any time of year, resulting in poor visibility and rapidly increasing hazards. It is imperative to prepare for both low visibility navigation and inclement weather.
Avalanches: Avalanches can happen any month of the year. Snowpack conditions and stability can change rapidly with large temperature swings and with changing weather. Your ability to identify avalanche terrain and assess snowpack stability, along with carrying a beacon, probe, and shovel, are often crucial for reasonably safe travel on Mt. Hood. The Northwest Avalanche Center has concluded avalanche forecasts for the summer, but their website still serves as an excellent resource for weather, snowpack, and avalanche observations.
The Salmon River Lot at the Timberline ski area is the primary point of access to the upper mountain. No parking permits are required until Sno-Park season begins on November 1st. The Cloud Cap Road is now open on the north side.
Please carry a WAG bag (human waste pack out bag) and use it if you need to defecate while on the mountain. WAG bags are available free of charge at the Climbers’ Registration near the entry to the Wy’East Day Lodge at Timberline.
You're responsible for your own safety.
Those planning to climb should take all necessary equipment for self-rescue and extended stays on the mountain due to weather or incident. There are no emergency medical services available on the mountain. It is a remote location. Any help may be hours or days out, especially in situations where your location or weather would create an unsafe situation for rescuers. It is always advisable to leave your itinerary and estimated time of return with a third party. Climbing Register forms, located in the Timberline day lodge, are highly recommended. These forms are not checked to ensure that climbers have safely returned, but they provide rescuers with valuable information if a rescue is initiated on your behalf.
Planning Your Climb
Mt. Hood is very much a technical climb and anyone who plans to summit needs to be prepared. Learn what to do before your climb, during your climb, and after you've descended.
Climbing Permit Basics
A 3-day climbing permit is required for all people traveling above 9,500 ft. elevation. The permit is required year-round. Timberline Trail, Forest trailheads, and all of the ski areas on Mt. Hood are below this elevation and do not require a climbing permit.
- The Mt. Hood Climbing Permit is required for all travel above 9,500 feet in elevation. Purchase on Recreation.gov any time before the start of your climb. 3-day permits cost $20 and annual permits cost $50.
- Permits are required year-round.
- Free wilderness permits are required year-round on the south side routes and May 15 to October 15 for other areas within the Mount Hood Wilderness. A 3-day climbing permit counts as your wilderness permit. Annual climbing permit holders must also complete the Mt. Hood Wilderness Permit online form or a paper wilderness permit.
- Climbing Register forms are highly recommended. They provide rescuers with crucial information if a rescue is initiated on your behalf. Complete these forms at the Climbers' Registration area at Timberline.
- The Forest offers a single trip 3-day permit and an annual permit. Single-trip climbers must select a 3-day window for their climbing permit to allow for climbing in safer conditions if one day of the window has poor conditions.
- Single trip 3-day permits are $20. Annual permits are $50 and are good for 12 months from the date of purchase.
- Permits are for sale on Recreation.gov as of January 1, 2024. Climbers are able to purchase permits online up to the start of their climb (no advance reservations required).
- There is no limit on the number of climbing permits issued daily or annually.
- You can save a digital pass to your mobile device or print a copy and bring it with you.
- The permit does not cover parking. Climbers parking in an Oregon Sno-Park (such as Timberline Lodge) between November 1 and April 30 will need a current Oregon Sno-Park Permit.
- 9,500 feet is well above all of the ski areas and the Timberline Trail. A climbing permit is only required for those traveling above 9,500 feet elevation. On the South Climbing Route, 9,500 feet is roughly at the top of Triangle Moraine.
- While one person can purchase permits for multiple climbers in a party, at least one member of the climbing party needs to have a copy of all permits for each climber while above 9,500 feet.
- A 3-day climbing permit also serves as one’s wilderness permit for the Mount Hood Wilderness. Annual climbing permit holders must also complete this online form or a paper wilderness permit.
- Mt. Hood’s popularity as a climbing destination has resulted in public health and safety issues, including increased technical search and rescue operations and human waste in sensitive ecosystems. The Mt. Hood climbing ranger program needs financial support to help manage and address these issues.
- Many peaks in the Cascades Range already have a required climbing permit fee, including Mt. Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Shasta. Permit fees help the Forest Service and National Park Service manage climbing opportunities for the benefit of the public.
- Permit fees will directly fund the Mt. Hood climbing program. Among other improvements, permit fees will be used to:
- Hire additional climbing rangers to increase climbing ranger patrol along popular routes.
- Increase climbing conditions reports & other public climbing condition information.
- Improve climber safety education.
- Reduce human impacts on the natural landscape.
Climbing at a Glance
The Northwest Avalanche Center issues daily avalanche and mountain weather forecasts early winter through spring.
National Weather Service forecast links:
Outfitter/guide organizations currently authorized to conduct climbing services on Mt. Hood:
- Group size limit is 12.
- Mount Hood Wilderness Restrictions & Guidelines apply within Mt. Hood's upper reaches.
- Please carry one or more WAG bags (human waste pack out bags) and use them if you need to poop while on the mountain. WAG bags are available free of charge at the Climbers Registration area at Timberline. No one wants to see human waste on the mountain. Pack yours out!
7/3/25: The restroom in the Climber's Registration area at Timberline is open.
Some trailheads require a day use fee. View a list of available recreation passes that may be used in lieu of day use fee payment.
Oregon Sno-Park permits are required November 1 through April 30 at all sno-parks (excluding Billy Bob Sno-Park), including all Timberline parking lots and the Tilly Jane Sno-Park.