Mount Hood Wilderness

Mt. Hood, Oregon's highest summit at 11,240 feet, is a volcano with 11 active glaciers. The top several thousand feet of the mountain is Wilderness and covered with forested slopes and alpine meadows. All climbing routes on Mt. Hood are technical, including the "easier" southside climbing route, with crevasses to cross, falling rocks, and often inclement weather. Ropes, crampons and other technical gear are necessary. Learn more about climbing Mt. Hood. 

Mt. Hood still vents sulfurous steam near the summit. Much of the area's annual 150" of precipitation falls as snow between October and April. A forest of Douglas-fir covers much of the lower elevations, supported by an understory of Oregon grape, salal, rhododendron, and huckleberries. More than a dozen waterfalls are within the river valleys that lie in the shaded forest. Listen for the chirps and whistles of pikas and marmots on the rocky slopes at the tree line.

The very popular Timberline Trail #600 encircles the mountain for 38 miles. It crosses multiple alpine meadows and travels through the many glacial creeks and rivers that flow from the mountain flanks. Crossing the glacial creeks and rivers that do not have bridges during snowmelt in early to mid-summer, or when heavy or sustained rains fall, can be dangerous. Hikers should use caution and have a backup plan if rivers are too high to cross. Multiple trails wind their way through the Wilderness to join the Timberline Trail. Most visitors are day hikers who visit on the weekends. Hikers visiting mid-week or camping overnight generally see few other visitors. Be familiar with Mount Hood Wilderness regulations before heading out.

River Crossing Guide (pdf)

• Key access points: Trail and trailhead access information

At a Glance