Crater Rock (Hood)

[Chip Down]

Another hot weekend. Figured I'd go see what Hood's crater looks like in the summer. Maybe try to climb Crater Rock, either from Hogsback or the SW breach. I didn't feel comfortable trying either without snow. Wasn't able to loop around and drop through the west crater. Steep and crumbly, not as much snow as the east side. Lots of rockfall too. Went back the way I came. Lots of fun. The crater was more interesting than expected, and I had it all to myself, so poked around for a long time, hiked up to the top of Hot Rocks, explored around Crater Rock as much as I thought would be safe.

[Chip Down]

[mandatory text here]

[Chazz]

Fantastic pics, ChipDown. I did really like the sulpher crystals. I sent that to a couple folks who are relatively new to Portland and were scoffing at the idea that Mt Hood is an active volcano.

[Chip Down]

Fantastic pics, ChipDown. I did really like the sulpher crystals. I sent that to a couple folks who are relatively new to Portland and were scoffing at the idea that Mt Hood is an active volcano.

Yeah, I know everybody says Hood is "dormant", but damn! She's just napping. Here are some more steam and sulfur pics:

[mjirving]

I love your posts, thanks for sharing. Fascinating to see the differences later in the summer as I was up there in early July.

Mike

[BigBear]

I suspect that the wood you found was from the old fire lookout that once sat atop Mt. Hood's summit.

[Chip Down]

I suspect that the wood you found was from the old fire lookout that once sat atop Mt. Hood's summit.

I didn't know! Fascinating. I understand there's a bit of detritus up there on the summit. I was there once in August, but having arrived at 11:50pm there wasn't much opportunity to enjoy the scenery (come to think of it, I believe it was still snowy). I've also wondered about the coiled rope and boards neatly piled up on upper Cooper Spur, maybe about 10k-ish feet.

Fascinating to see the differences later in the summer as I was up there in early July.

One of my favorite things about hiking is going on a summer trip to a place I've only previously seen with full snow coverage.

[Guy]

As well as the rope and old wood have seen the old engine that's still up there? Up in the rocks on your left side and a little behind you as you approach the Devils Kitchen.

[Chip Down]

I read something about the engine, but didn't know where to look. I might go hunting this weekend. Any idea what it was for?

[Chip Down]

I wondered if that engine would be as hard for me to find as the Benson Buick, but nope, it's right in plain site. It was in a place that I was actually thinking about exploring last weekend. Imagine my shock if I had stumbled into that unprepared!

Visually, the smoke was thicker than I've ever seen it on Hood. Smell wasn't as strong as last weekend.

Crater was relatively crowded: party of three fast/light hikers, then a summit team of three, followed by four who I didn't speak with. I took care of my business and hurried down before succumbing to temptation.