I summited Adams last year and hiked back to Lunch Counter again this year (I didn't summit because we had a large group and I had to Shepard some back down to Cold Springs). Ever since my trip last year I've been bitten by the climbing bug. I really want to try Hood this summer and I was wondering how much more difficult it is than Adams? How long does it usually take to hike from Timberline to the top? Is it a day trip or do people overnight somewhere like they do on Adams?

Unless you are climbing Adams by some route other than the Lunch Counter, a climb of Adams will be technically less challenging than one of Hood. Hood's Palmer Glacier/Hogsback route is pretty tame too, but it does get steep/icy at the top with some objective rockfall hazard. It should take about 4-7 hours hiking time from Timberline to the summit.

Adams will be technically straightforward, but is physically more demanding. You're gaining probably about 1000 feet more elevation on Adams, and it's farther. Adams will be a long day, but with Hood, you can easily be off the mountain by lunch time.

Thanks for the input. If it takes 4-7 hrs to climb Hood, how long should it take to climb Adams? I am a bit of a slow hiker but I don't tire quickly so I can go a long time without stopping. Will those at Timberline be angry if my climbing partner and I sleep in my truck bed for a couple of hours before making our alpine start or is there a better idea (a hotel stay is not an option we're trying to do this quickly and cheaply).

Climbing season is over for Mt. Hood.



That's my opinion... this picture taken about 5pm, July 11, 2010, shows all
the melting snow and avalances occurring. I watched about
3 ice avalances tumble off the face of the bedrocks. With all
this warm weather since then, I imagine conditions are
going to be even worse than this picture.

I suppose you could try the alpine start and hope
everything stays frozen in place when you get to the top.

A climb into the crater (or hogsback) is still a safe climb tho.
People do climb Mt. Hood at all times of the year, but I'm
not one of them.

I'm a good walker too, but being 61 and a tad overweight, I carried
my snowboard up. I stashed my snowboard at 9,000 ft and continued on.
It took me 6 hours and 45 mimutes to get from Timberline to the hogsback.
(10 am to 4:45PM).

I climbed Mtn Rainier 3 days after this picture - and only made it
to 13,000 ft. IMHO, Mt. Rainier looks safer then Mt. Hood.

When does the climbing season end for Adams? Been thinking about it recently but can't get to it right away...

Climbing season for Mt. Adams ends in the fall - when risk of snowstorm increases and/or weather turns cold.

But... after August or so... the snow melts and its a little bit more trouble to climb the rocks and scree.

Nice pic Bill, that looks horrible. And yeah, Adams should be OK through the summer but will likely turn into a scree walk mixed with snowy/icy sections the later it gets. Better in early summer, especially with skis.

Will Hood get any safer as the summer draws to a close and it gets/stays colder at the top or would it be better to wait until next spring/early summer when the snow pack is built back up again?

Thanks Bill, Snowslogger. Perhaps I will hit it next year then.

MikeTX wrote:

Snackem wrote:Will Hood get any safer as the summer draws to a close and it gets/stays colder at the top or would it be better to wait until next spring/early summer when the snow pack is built back up again?

wait for spring.

thanks, I was afraid you were going to say that. Any other trips you would recommend this year instead?

Some ideas to build experience in the summer: peaks in the Goat Rocks area, the Tatoosh range in Mt. Rainier park, South Sister or Middle Sister in Oregon, the Olympic Mtns (esp. along the east side), the Wallowas, etc.

Snackem wrote:

MikeTX wrote:

Snackem wrote:Will Hood get any safer as the summer draws to a close and it gets/stays colder at the top or would it be better to wait until next spring/early summer when the snow pack is built back up again?

wait for spring.

thanks, I was afraid you were going to say that. Any other trips you would recommend this year instead?

Snackem wrote:

MikeTX wrote:

Snackem wrote:Will Hood get any safer as the summer draws to a close and it gets/stays colder at the top or would it be better to wait until next spring/early summer when the snow pack is built back up again?

wait for spring.

thanks, I was afraid you were going to say that. Any other trips you would recommend this year instead?

South Sister, Maude/7fJack, Dragontail, Ingalls, Stuart, plus at least 1000 other peaks in the area. There is a lot of very good stuff besides the volcanoes which the reason I moved here three and a half years ago.

EastKing wrote:

Snackem wrote:

MikeTX wrote:

Snackem wrote:Will Hood get any safer as the summer draws to a close and it gets/stays colder at the top or would it be better to wait until next spring/early summer when the snow pack is built back up again?

wait for spring.

thanks, I was afraid you were going to say that. Any other trips you would recommend this year instead?

South Sister, Maude/7fJack, Dragontail, Ingalls, Stuart, plus at least 1000 other peaks in the area. There is a lot of very good stuff besides the volcanoes which the reason I moved here three and a half years ago.

Thanks, I'd never even considered the South Sister. Have you climbed it before? Is it a hike? scramble? What equipment would we need for such a trip?

I believe South Sister is pretty much a walk-up... and a tough one.

That one is on my to-do wish list.... want to go with me?

The south sister is a great hike...but its a looong one, although I felt it was pretty easy, but I was going at my wifes slow pace. The first 4miles ish are really easy, especially the one mile over a completely flat trail...the last couple are pretty rough and kinda steep. I did the south sister late last august, and I remember it being pretty cold (55 max). What I really loved about this hike was the views at the top. The photo shot at the summit with the middle and north sister right at your back are awesome. Definitely a very memorable hike to do...as bill said though its an endurance hike, just like Adams.