Mount Hood

Mount Hood, known to the indigenous Multnomah people as Wy’east, is a potentially active stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. Standing at 3,429 meters (11,249 feet), it is the highest mountain in the state of Oregon and a prominent landmark visible from Portland, 80 kilometers (50 miles) to the west.

Mount Hood is unique among major volcanoes for offering the only year-round lift-served skiing in North America and for being the site of the historic Timberline Lodge. Despite its recreational popularity, it remains a dangerous active volcano with a history of destructive eruptions.

Geological Origins and Setting

Mount Hood is part of the Cascade Range, a chain of volcanoes stretching from British Columbia to Northern California. This arc is formed by the subduction of the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate beneath the North American plate.

Formation and Structure

The modern cone of Mount Hood is a stratovolcano built over the last 500,000 years, though the majority of the current edifice was formed in the last 15,000 years. It is composed primarily of andesitic and dacitic lava flows and domes. The volcano has a somewhat dissected appearance due to intense glacial erosion, giving it a rugged, jagged silhouette compared to the smoother cones of Mount St. Helens (pre-1980) or Mount Fuji.

Eruptive History

While Mount Hood has not had a cataclysmic eruption in the 20th or 21st centuries, it has a history of significant activity that has repeatedly reshaped the surrounding landscape.

The Polallie Eruptive Period (15,000–12,000 years ago)

This period saw the construction of the main volcanic cone through the extrusion of lava domes and flows. These eruptions coincided with the end of the last Ice Age, leading to massive interactions between hot lava and thick glaciers.

The Timberline Eruptive Period (1,400–1,800 years ago)

During this phase, lava domes collapsed repeatedly, sending pyroclastic flows and lahars (volcanic mudflows) sweeping down the Sandy River valley, reaching as far as the Columbia River. The relatively smooth southern slope near Timberline Lodge is actually a fan of debris from these events.

The Old Maid Eruptive Period (approx. 1781 CE)

The most recent major eruptive cycle occurred just before the arrival of Lewis and Clark. It produced a lava dome near Crater Rock (the prominent feature near the summit) and generated lahars that flowed down the White River and Sandy River.

Recent Activity

Since the late 18th century, activity has been limited to minor steam explosions and fumarolic activity. The last confirmed minor eruptive activity occurred between 1859 and 1866, with reports of “smoke” and glow. Today, the volcano is considered dormant but potentially active, with active fumaroles in the “Devil’s Kitchen” area near the summit.

Indigenous Legend: The Story of Wy’east

In Native American mythology, particularly among the Multnomah and Klickitat tribes, Mount Hood is the warrior Wy’east.

The legend tells of the Great Spirit, Tyhee Saghalie, and his two sons, Wy’east (Hood) and Pahto (Mount Adams), who both fell in love with the beautiful maiden Loowit (Mount St. Helens). The brothers fought violently over her, throwing fire and rocks at each other, shaking the earth and destroying the “Bridge of the Gods” (a natural land bridge over the Columbia River).

To end the fighting, Saghalie turned them all into mountains. Wy’east, with his head held high in pride, became Mount Hood. Pahto, with his head bowed in sorrow, became Mount Adams. Loowit, preserving her youth and beauty, became the graceful cone of Mount St. Helens.

Glaciers and Hydrology

Mount Hood is home to 12 named glaciers, which are vital sources of water for irrigation and drinking in the valleys below. The most famous include:

• Palmer Glacier: The site of the summer ski area.
• Eliot Glacier: The largest glacier by volume, located on the northeast flank.
• Coe, Ladd, and White River Glaciers: These carve deep cirques into the mountain’s flanks.

Like many glaciers worldwide, Mount Hood’s ice is retreating due to climate change, which poses long-term challenges for water resource management in the region.

The Devil’s Kitchen: Crater Rock

Near the summit lies a reminder that Hood is still alive.

• Fumaroles: The “Devil’s Kitchen” and “Steel Cliff” areas emit hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.
• The Smell: Climbers often smell the “rotten egg” odor of sulfur long before they reach the summit.
• Ice Caves: The heat from these fumaroles melts the surrounding glacial ice, forming extensive and dangerous systems of fumarolic ice caves. These caves are fascinating but deadly due to toxic gas accumulation and collapsing roofs.

The Hood River Fruit Loop

The volcano feeds the valley.

• Volcanic Soil: The orchards of the Hood River Valley, north of the volcano, sit on lahars and ash deposits.
• The Harvest: This 35-mile scenic loop is famous for its pears, apples, and cherries. The drainage from the Hood glaciers provides the irrigation water that turns this rain-shadowed valley into an agricultural powerhouse.

Skiing History: The Magic Mile

Mount Hood is a pioneer in American skiing.

• First Chairlift: The “Magic Mile” chairlift at Timberline was the second chairlift ever built in the world.
• Summer Skiing: It remains the only place in the US with a lift-served summer ski season, thanks to the massive snow accumulation on the Palmer Snowfield (often exceeding 500 inches/12 meters in winter).

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)

The famous Mexico-to-Canada trail crosses the western flank of Mount Hood.

• The Experience: Through-hikers often stop at Timberline Lodge for the legendary “all-you-can-eat” buffet, a stark contrast to their months of trail rations. The trail offers stunning views of the zigzagging canyons carved by volcanic mudflows.

Flora and Fauna

The mountain rises from Douglas-fir and western hemlock temperate rainforests at its base to alpine tundra at the summit.

Forests

The lower slopes are dominated by towering Douglas-firs, while higher elevations feature Noble fir and Mountain hemlock. The timberline (tree line) is around 6,000 feet, where twisted, wind-blown Whitebark pines struggle to survive.

Wildlife

The slopes are inhabited by black bears, cougars, elk, and deer. Birdwatchers can spot ravens, gray jays (camp robbers), and migrating raptors. The cool, glacier-fed rivers are crucial habitats for salmon and steelhead trout.

The Barlow Road

Mount Hood was the final barrier for the pioneers.

• The Oregon Trail: Early settlers on the Oregon Trail faced a brutal choice: raft the treacherous Columbia River or cross the Cascades.
• The Road: In 1846, Sam Barlow built a toll road around the south side of Mount Hood. It was steep and terrifying—wagons had to be lowered by ropes down some sections—but it opened the Willamette Valley to mass migration. You can still hike sections of the original wagon ruts today.

Lost Lake: The Perfect Mirror

• The View: Located northwest of the volcano, Lost Lake offers the most iconic postcard view of Mount Hood.
• Reflection: In the early morning, the lake is perfectly still, reflecting the snowy cone in its dark waters. Ideally, one rents a canoe to float in the middle of this reflection.

The Sasquatch Legend

The deep forests of Mount Hood are prime “Bigfoot” territory.

• Sightings: There have been hundreds of reported sightings of Sasquatch in the Clackamas Wilderness on the southern flank.
• Culture: Whether you believe or not, the legend adds a layer of mystery to the dark, old-growth forests. Local gift shops in Government Camp do a brisk trade in Bigfoot memorabilia.

Tourism and Climbing

Mount Hood is one of the most visited mountains in the United States.

Timberline Lodge

A National Historic Landmark, Timberline Lodge sits at 6,000 feet on the south flank. Built during the Great Depression by the WPA (Works Progress Administration), it is a masterpiece of “Cascadian” architecture, constructed entirely by hand using local stone and timber. It gained pop-culture fame as the exterior of the “Overlook Hotel” in the movie The Shining.

Skiing

The Palmer Snowfield allows for skiing even in July and August, making it the training ground for Olympic skiers. Resorts like Timberline, Mt. Hood Meadows, and Skibowl attract winter sports enthusiasts from around the world.

Mountaineering

Mount Hood is the second most climbed glaciated peak in the world (after Mt. Fuji). Approximately 10,000 people attempt the summit annually.

• The South Side Route: The most popular route begins at Timberline Lodge and ascends the Palmer Glacier to Crater Rock. From there, climbers navigate the Hogsback (a snow ridge) and pass through the Pearly Gates or the Old Chute to reach the summit ridge.
• Risks: Despite its popularity, the climb is technical and dangerous. Hazards include rockfall, icefall, hidden crevasses, and sudden sulfur gas emissions from fumaroles. Sudden storms can reduce visibility to zero in minutes.

Monitoring and Safety

The USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) monitor Mount Hood closely.

• Hazards: The primary threat to local communities is lahars, which could travel rapidly down the river valleys to towns like Sandy and Hood River.
• Alert Levels: The volcano is typically at “Green/Normal” status, but sensors constantly track seismic activity and gas emissions to provide early warning of any reawakening.

Technical Facts

• Elevation: 3,429 m (11,249 ft)
• Prominence: 2,349 m
• Location: 45.374°N 121.696°W
• Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
• Rock Type: Andesite / Dacite
• Status: Active / Dormant
• Last Major Eruption: ~1781 CE (Old Maid Period)