Mount Hood
Beacon Guidebooks has partnered with onX Backcountry. Find guidebook quality content for backcountry adventures in Mount Hood. Mount Hood has 19 zones to explore and 105 routes.
Total Zones
19
Publisher
Beacon Guidebooks
Mount Hood Overview
Mount Hood has captivated the imaginations of many in the Pacific Northwest for centuries. Named for a British admiral in the late 1700s, its native name has been lost to history. Lewis and Clark labeled Hood “stupendous” as they returned east on their epic journey, and that assessment rings true today. The first recorded ascent of Mt. Hood occurred in the 1850s, and the history of skiing on the mountain started with people on long wooden skis using them for transportation. The first recorded ski descent of the south side occurred in the 1920s, and skiing and mountaineering on Hood have been intertwined ever since. With the opening of Timberline Lodge in 1937, skiing on the mountain exploded in popularity. Mount Hood became renowned for backcountry skiing when Sylvain Saudan descended Newton-Clark Headwall on the east side of the mountain in 1971, a descent that heralded the arrival of “extreme skiing” in America. Backcountry skiing and riding has always been relatively popular on the mountain, as a stable snowpack and long season entice locals and tourists alike. As backcountry use has grown quickly in the past few years, Mount Hood remains a sought after destination for those looking for ski mountaineering descents, glaciers and hopefully - powder. The author and publisher acknowledge that the land surrounding Mount Hood lies within the ancestral territories of several Native American tribes including the Multnomah, Wasco, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, who have looked upon and lived on this mountain for thousands of years.
Zones Covered
Alpine Trail
Routes
5
ATES Level
1
General Aspect
S,SW
The Alpine Trail zone functions as easy access to Timberline Resort and the upper mountain from the town of Government Camp. It’s also a popular spot for beginners to hone their backcountry chops. The groomed Alpine Trail is part of Timberline Resort, and the Glade Trail is a mellow ascent that poses little avalanche risk. This also doubles as a training ground for backcountry skiers when avalanche risk and poor weather shuts down the upper mountain or steeper zones. While the ski descents aren’t the most exciting on the mountain, the climb up to Timberline Lodge and the resulting reveal of the Hood crater is stunning, and adds vert for those looking for bigger days on the mountain.
Routes
- Alpine Trail Approach
- Glade Trail Ascent
- Timberline Uphill Route
- Glade Trail
- Alpine Trail
Barrett Spur
Routes
6
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
NE,N
A rarely visited outcropping, Barrett Spur holds good snow into the spring and early summer. The long approach makes this route feel like a secret—no one else will be out there. Both winter and summer approaches require some serious work that isn’t typical on Mount Hood.
Routes
- Approach from Elk Cove
- Approach from Vista Ridge
- Upper Barrett Spur
- Barrett Spur Main Face
- June's Run
- Barrett Spur Exit
Bennett Pass
Routes
5
ATES Level
1
General Aspect
N
A safer haven during higher avalanche danger. Beginner’s beach. Steep and cheap. Bennett Pass is all of these things. You probably won’t be writing to your friends in Utah about Bennett Pass, but it gets the job done. Three short runs close to the trailhead provide a quick hit for those in need.
Routes
- Bennett Pass Approach
- First Glade
- Second Glade
- Third Glade
- Bennett Pass Exit
Cooper Spur
Routes
4
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NE,E
It’s been said that exposure reveals what lies within us all, and if that is the case, Cooper Spur will lay bare your deepest secrets. A classic ski descent, the upper section drops off 3,000’ onto the Eliot Glacier below. This imposing face calls to the adventurous—just don’t fall.
Routes
- Approach from Timberline
- Approach from Tilly Jane
- Approach from Cloud Cap
- Cooper Spur Summit Descent
Crater
Routes
8
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
S
For summit descents, the crater of Mount Hood presents the most easily accessible and skiable options. The crater is a unique ski mountaineering experience, with multiple climbs and descents on semi-glaciated terrain. In the right conditions, the descents in this zone are challenging yet approachable.
Routes
- Standard Ascent
- Pearly Gates Ascent
- Old Chute Ascent
- Hogsback
- Pearly Gates
- Old Chute
- West Crater Rim
- West Crater Rim Lower Descent
Illumination Rock
Routes
6
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
SE,S,SW
For some, this is just a transition zone to the upper mountain—but it has some truly worthwhile terrain. Illumination Saddle stands as a portal to the lesser-trod west side of the mountain, guarded by the stunning Illumination Rock. Crater Rock looms over Zigzag Glacier and Triangle Moraine, which has some perfect, wide-open skiing that feels plenty spicy after a 3,000’ climb. A skin up through this zone for a sunset on Illumination is not to be missed.
Routes
- Crater Rock Ascent
- Illumination Traverse
- Zigzag Glacier
- Triangle Moraine
- Uppper Zigzag Glacier
- Lower Zigzag Glacier
Leuthold Couloir
Routes
4
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
S,SW
The Reid Headwall and Leuthold Couloir present an imposing face of ice on the west side of the mountain. Only a short distance from the popular Illumination area, this zone feels wilder than the south-side routes. The Leuthold is a classic descent, featuring a couloir surrounded by ice towers that drops onto the Reid Glacier. The Reid is not typically skied, but there are options for the ambitious ski mountaineer.
Routes
- Approach from Crater Rim
- Leuthold Couloir
- Reid Headwall Descents
- Reid Exit
Mount Hood Meadows
Routes
1
ATES Level
--
General Aspect
--
Mount Hood Meadows is the largest resort on Mount Hood, and its size and variety of terrain options make it the most popular as well. Uphill traffic is strictly limited in the winter, but there are quality runs directly outside the resort boundaries. After the season ends, Meadows allows uphill traffic and is an excellent access point to upper mountain routes like Wy’east. Those who hike for turns and want to re-enter the ski area boundary should do so only into open terrain. The uphill routes outlined here are current as of the publication of this book.
Routes
- Heather Canyon Runout
Mount Hood Skibowl
Routes
1
ATES Level
--
General Aspect
--
Mount Hood Skibowl is the lowest resort on Mount Hood in terms of elevation, but it has the steepest resort terrain on the mountain when conditions are good. Uphill traffic is allowed when there are no cat operations or avalanche control. Skibowl is closed on non-holiday weekdays, which makes it a great option for beginners. Skibowl is also a good choice for those looking for steeper runs when the upper mountain isn’t viable due to weather. The 22/23 uphill route and 22/23 Wy’easter Skimo Race are outlined here. The uphill travel policy can be found here:
Routes
- Skibowl Uphill Route
Palmer
Routes
4
ATES Level
1
General Aspect
S
The Palmer Zone is home to a popular climbing route, and is perhaps the most frequented backcountry zone on Mount Hood. It is semi-maintained by Timberline Resort throughout the winter, so it’s a great option when conditions are poor elsewhere. Palmer is a staple for Mount Hood veterans.
Routes
- Climber's Trail
- Stormin' Norman Approach
- Outer West
- Willis
Peagravel Ridge
Routes
11
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NE,E,S,SW
Just as Heather Canyon attracts the steep skiers from all around, Peagravel Ridge draws the backcountry skier looking for some fun runs a bit lower on the mountain. Wide-open bowls await higher up Newton Canyon, and tree runs abound lower down. This is a popular spot on weekends, due both to its proximity to Meadows and its easily accessible terrain.
Routes
- Peagravel Ridge Approach
- Peagravel Ridge Alternate Approach
- Peagravel Ridge Upper Exit
- Peagravel Ridge Lower Exit
- Peagravel Upper Bowl
- Peagravel Main Bowl
- Peagravel Glades
- Jill's Woods
- Gnarl Ridge
- Heather Canyon Runout
- Peagravel Alt Exit
Pocket Creek
Routes
4
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
W,N
When high winds have turned the fresh snow on the upper mountain into a skating rink, Pocket Creek’s sheltered runs may hold some better options. However, the low elevation makes it hit-or-miss if the freezing level is high. Regardless, this is everyone’s “secret” spot for a reason.
Routes
- Pocket Creek Approach
- Pocket Creek Main
- Side Pocket
- Pocket Creek Exit
Sandy Glacier Headwall
Routes
3
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
S
Perhaps the crown jewel of ski descents on Mount Hood, the Sandy Glacier Headwall descends an unbroken 3,000’ onto the glacier below. Rarely skied, this is a serious line that requires excellent conditions and high-level mountaineering and skiing abilities. The reward is a descent that no one will see, but everyone will want to hear about.
Routes
- Sandy Glacier Climb
- Sandy Glacier Headwall
- Sandy Glacier Exit
Snowdome
Routes
4
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NE,E
While the dome this zone is named for has subsided, Snowdome still holds the same allure it did a century ago. A relatively remote area that requires glacier travel and mountaineering chops, Snowdome has fun descents in spring. It can be as exciting or mild as the skier is looking for. The approach is more difficult than that of the south side, but the concomitant rewards make one wonder why they ever bothered skiing Palmer.
Routes
- Spring and Summer Approach
- Winter Approach
- Snowdome + Eliot Glacier
- Sunshine Route
Tilly Jane
Routes
5
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
NE,E
The Tilly Jane Trail is the greatest of all gateway drugs: the gateway to the North Side. Use it to access Cooper Spur, or adventure onto the mighty Eliot Glacier and beyond. There are great pockets of skiing around this zone to reward the explorer. The cabin is available with advance reservations for an overnight experience.
Routes
- Tilly Jane Approach
- Tilly Jane Alternate Approach
- Along Came Polallie
- Triangle Moraine (Cooper Spur side)
- Tilly Jane Exit
Tom Dick + Harry Mountain
Routes
6
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NW,NE,E
Tom Dick + Harry Mountain has the closest high-quality skiing to Portland. It doesn’t have the longest descents, but when the snow is good, it contains some of the best terrain on the mountain. Its proximity to Skibowl makes this a great option for a sidecountry experience. That being said, this is steep, avalanche-prone terrain—remember this if cruising over from Skibowl. For the Portland dweller, this is a spot that can’t be overlooked, even when dreaming of epic lines off the summit (and the nice views of epic lines are pretty stellar too).
Routes
- Mirror Lake Trailhead Approach
- TDH West
- TDH Center
- TDH East
- Exit via Skibowl
- TDH Exit
White River Canyon
Routes
9
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
NE,S,W
White River runs from an elevation of 10,000’ at the summit crater all the way to 4,500’ where it crosses Highway 35. It's the Mount Hood version of Costco, with bulk amounts of all the staples: long runs in the middle of the canyon, short, steep bowls funneling into the river, and glaciated terrain up high. It’s a veritable backcountry skier’s playground when conditions are good. Getting in and out of the canyon can be tricky, so don’t let your guard down when pulled by the allure of powder.
Routes
- White River Approach
- Central White River
- Classroom Run
- Lower White River Bowl
- White River Corn Farm
- White River East
- White River Connector
- White River Glacier
- Exit to Snopark
Wy' East + Newton Clark
Routes
9
ATES Level
2
General Aspect
E,SE
The Wy’East face stands tall above Mount Hood Meadows, a beacon beckoning skiers from across the Pacific Northwest. Home to Newton Clark Headwall, one of the 50 classic ski descents in North America, the Wy’East zone has incredible skiing. The Wy’east face itself holds 40-degree slopes almost a mile long, while Newton holds 50-degree skiing that will challenge the ambitious. Gossip about conditions on Wy’east reaches a fever pitch in spring, when Hood locals look to get in their yearly descent.
Routes
- Approach from Meadows
- Approach from Palmer
- Approach from Timberline
- Newton Clark Headwall
- Wy' East
- Wy' East Right
- Circumnavigation- Wy' East Zone
- Exit via Superbowl
- Exit to Timberline via White River
Zigzag Canyon
Routes
10
ATES Level
3
General Aspect
E,S,W
If Palmer lacks a little flavor on the descending side, Zigzag Canyon adds a little spice. Short, steep faces await only a quick skin over from Timberline; they can be accessed on the way down from Palmer. This zone can be complex, with varying conditions from run to run, but with the right decision-making there are exciting options for beginners and experts alike. A bonus is that this zone rarely sees the crowds other spots are known for.
Routes
- Zigzag Canyon Approach
- Zigzag Canyon Alternate Approach
- 200 Turns
- Dogleg
- Little AK
- Little E
- Three Sheets
- Short Chute
- Zigzag Exit
- Zigzag High Avalanche Hazard Exit
