Route: Mount Hood - South Side (Hogsback) (South Cascades)

Mountain Information:

• Name: Mount Hood
• Region:  South Cascades
• Summit Elevation: 11239 ft / 3426 m
• SummitPost Link: 
• Mount Hood
• South Side (Hogsback)
• Peakbagger Link: 
• http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=2382
• MountProject Link:  
• https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105792904/south-side-route

• Mountaineers Link:
• https://www.mountaineers.org/explore/routes-places/mount-hood-south-side

• Mount Hood Climb Information:
• CLIMBING MOUNT HOOD

• Forest Service:
• Keypoints to know before the climb
• Climbing Mount Hood & Summiting
• Mt Hood Detailed Climbing Information
• Ranger Stations

Driving Directions:

• Trailhead: Timberline Lodge Trailheads
• Co-ordinates: 45.3316328,-121.7144179
• Address: Government Camp, OR 97028
• Elevation: 5,924 ft
• Pass:  wilderness permit
• Directions: Mountaineers: "Take I-5 to approximately 15 mi north of the Oregon state line to I-205 bypass around Portland to US 26. Travel east on US 26 for about 50 mi. Just past Government Camp turn left at Timberline Lodge turnoff. Drive 8 mi and park in lodge parking lot."
• Weather forecast
• Mountain Forecast
• South Climb Weather  
• Weather Condition
• NOAA Forecast for Timberline Lodge
• NOAA Mt. Hood Observations
• Mount Hood Real Time Images
• Avalanche danger forecast:  
• Northwest Avalanche Center
• Mt Hood

Route Information: South Side (Hogsback)

• Gain: 5,235 ft
• Round Trip:  8 miles
• Activity: Basic Glacier Climb
• Difficulty:  Strenuous 1, Technical 2
• Season: May, June
• Source: https://www.mountaineers.org/explore/routes-places/mount-hood-south-side
• Existing tracks:  
• Peakbagger
• GPX on May 21, 2017
• Trip Report

• Caltopo Route: https://caltopo.com/m/VQS2

 

 

 

 

 

Misc 

• Videos  (many more on youtube): 
• Mount Hood: Climbing Oregon's Highest Peak
• Oregon Field Guide: Mt. Hood-Climbing Oregon's Highest Peak
• Climbing Mt. Hood - Key Points to Know Before the Climb
• Mt Hood Hogsback Summit Pearly Gates 2017 
• Mount Hood May 2017 - Summit via Old Chute
• Mt. Hood Summit Climb - Pearly Gates Rout on June 22nd 2016
• Mount Hood Winter Ascent January 2017
• Mount Hood--Soute Route 4/15-16/17
• Mt Hood / Bergschrund / Pearly Gates (1,2,3)
• Nightmare on Mount Hood (2007)
• 1986 Mt. Hood Climbing Disaster

• Trip Reports:
• Mountaineers
• Dec 31, 2017
• Jul 19/20, 2016
• Jul 17, 2016
• Jul 16, 2016
• May 10, 2016
• May 3, 2016
• May 6, 2015
• Jun 2, 2014
• May 27, 2014
• May 19, 2014

• CascadeClimbers
• 8/10/2017
• 7/8/2017
• 2/11/2017
• 3/18/2016
• 5/4/2015
• 6/29/2016
• 6/12/2016
• 3/17/2016
• 1/25/2016
• 12/30/2015
• 11/29/2015
• 11/28/2015
• 4/26/2015
• 3/7/2015
• 1/31/2015
• 1/25/2015
• 6/22/2014
• 5/24/2014
• 5/17/2014
• 5/1/2014
• 11/20/2004
• NWHikers
• 12/31/17
• 5/20/2017
• 3/19/17

Notes

• The South Side Route, which begins at Timberline Lodge parking lot (5,924 ft.), is the shortest and by far the most popular route to the summit. Mt. Hood’s popularity and dubious distinction as an “easy non-technical hike” or as a “walk up” is a misconception that tends to increase the number of deaths on the mountain. These inexperienced climbers in conjunction with severe weather (which can move in quickly) or the ever present danger of avalanches, rock and ice fall account for most accidents. 
• Climbing to the summit means entering the Mount Hood Wilderness Area which requires a free, non-quota, self-issued wilderness permit. These are available at the Timberline day lodge “Climbers’ Cave” and all trailheads within the wilderness area. The Climbers’ Cave does not have a door and is open year round, 24/7. The Climbers’ Cave does have bathroom facilities available to climbers. 
• Mt. Hood can be climbed any time of year, depending on your chosen route. However, climbers using the South Side Routes should consider climbing from mid-April to mid-July, depending on route conditions. Earlier and there is an increased risk of avalanches; any later and there is an increased risk of landslides, rock fall, ice fall and open crevasses. Weather and mountain conditions should be the ultimate indicator of when to climb.