Mount Hood · South Side Overview
South Side from Timberline
The Route
An alpine ascent above the Timberline ski area, continuing through snow terrain toward the upper mountain.
- TimberlineSki-area approach
- Upper PalmerOpen snow terrain
- Crater Rock areaUpper-route variations
- SummitDescent not represented
Timberline to Crater Rock
The common approach climbs from Timberline past Silcox Hut and the Palmer ski area. Above the ski lifts, Triangle Moraine leads toward Crater Rock. The upper variations separate around the crater rather than following different trails from the parking lot.
Hogsback & Pearly Gates
Above Devil’s Kitchen, the Hogsback is a snow ridge leading toward a bergschrund and the upper headwall. The Pearly Gates divide around a central rock buttress into left and right passages. Snow accumulation and melt alter the openings and the ice exposed inside them.
Old Chute & Summit Ridge
Old Chute lies west of the Pearly Gates. Its upper snow slope narrows into a chute that reaches the ridge west of the summit. A ridge traverse connects the chute exit with the summit; the steep north side lies beyond that ridge.
Seasonal Terrain
The Forest Service identifies late spring and early summer as the most popular climbing period. Late summer and fall expose more crevasses and bring increased rockfall. Winter storms can rapidly change the snow surface. These seasonal patterns do not establish the present upper-route line.
Volcanic Rock
Crater Rock is an upper-mountain landmark below the summit-route variations.
The 8-mile distance and rounded 5,300-foot gain are the published South Side reference, not independent measurements of each upper variation. Actual distance varies with the snow and ice line. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Timberline Lodge, Oregon
Start & Parking
The climbers’ trailhead is beside the Salmon River parking lot at Timberline. The climbing registration area is outside Wy’East Day Lodge. This is the South Side start, not Cloud Cap.
Climbing Permit
Travel above 9,500 ft requires a Mt. Hood Climbing Permit. Purchase it through Recreation.gov; the permit is separate from a parking pass.
Permit Price & Availability
Recreation.gov lists $20 per person for a 3-day climbing permit or $50 for an annual permit. Each climber needs a permit. There is no daily quota; permits are valid immediately after purchase.
Winter Parking Pass
All Timberline ski-area parking lots require an Oregon Sno-Park permit November 1–April 30. Oregon lists $4 daily, $9 for three consecutive days or $25 for the season, plus any agent fee. This is separate from the climbing permit.
Uphill Travel Pass
Timberline requires a free digital Uphill Travel Pass for uphill users, including climbers crossing the ski area. It is valid for one year. The pass and signup link are on Timberline’s uphill travel page.
Ski-Area Access
Timberline identifies the Climbers’ Trail along the eastern ski-area boundary, beginning at the Salmon River lot. Foot travel on groomed ski runs is not permitted.
Roads & Closures
Use TripCheck for the US 26 / Government Camp approach and Timberline Road. Forest closures are published separately by Mt. Hood National Forest.
Facilities & Group Limit
The Forest Service lists a maximum group size of 12. The registration-area restroom near Wy’East Day Lodge is open for the summer season; free human-waste pack-out bags are available at climbers’ registration.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
Climbing Ranger Reports
Seasonal reports, photos and winter updates from Hood's climbing rangers. Each report identifies its own observation date and route coverage.
Snow & Avalanche Observations
Dated field observations across the region. Select Hood and inspect the location and elevation covered.
Official Mountain Weather & Access
Forest Service links to NWS forecasts, NWAC products and climbing regulations.
South-Side Report · June 2024
Historical report, retained for reference rather than present conditions.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.