On June 4, we headed up King Creek Ridge with the intention of climbing Mount Hood.  The ascent route goes along King Creek Ridge, which is a popular day hike with a great trail.  You then drop down off the ridge onto a treed saddle between King Creek Ridge and Mount Hood.  The route then goes up a meadow and scree-covered ramp before reaching the rocky gullies that lead to the col between Mount Hood and Mount Brock.  The final leg of the summit journey is to scramble up steep slab along the summit ridge.

This route is rated F – 3rd class.  That means the use of hands is needed to move up and there is some exposure.  This was to be our first F – 3rd class.  The last three we’ve done have been F – 2nd class.  

Bumping up the difficulty level made me a bit nervous.  I researched the route as thoroughly as I could, reading the guidebooks and the websites of other folks who have climbed it.  I also studied the FATMAP app which has the route marked clearly and seems to be consistent with the route taken by recent summiters.

Despite this preparation, we decided to turn around at the top of King Creek Ridge and not attempt to climb Mount Hood.  As you’ll see in the photos below, it became clear that this route would not be suitable for the dogs.  I was thinking on Mount Rundle and on Mount Sparrowhawk that the dogs probably would not do well on more difficult terrain.  I wasn’t sure if Mount Hood would be too difficult for them so we brought them along.  Today confirmed it is.

Our Route

Trip Report

We got started around 9 am under a beautiful blue sky.  The trail is a bit loose and dusty but easy to follow as it winds up the hillside away from the highway. 

Soon the trail turns steeply up and climbs sometimes through forests, sometimes through meadows.  I noticed large shoe prints in the dust on the trail heading up and thought that someone must have gotten a very early start.

Looking back. Switchbacks help to gain elevation quickly.

Slow and steady.

Looking ahead to the top of the ridge in the distance.  As we walk, we debate whether the top of King Creek Ridge counts as a summit.  If we climb both the ridge and Mount Hood, will we have two summits this day?

Top of the Ridge

The trail continues up steeply through forest.  Soon we will reach the top of the ridge and our first snack stop.  On a long day, we make it a point to stop regularly to eat.  Sometimes every 60 minutes but usually every 90 minutes.

On top of the ridge, the trail continues up but at a more gentle angle.  We are treated to amazing views of surrounding mountains.  Here looking south towards Mount Wintour on the right.  A striking peak which will be added to next year’s climbing list.

Looking east to our peak.  Mount Hood is in the center of the photo.  The route drops down into the trees on the left and climbs the ramp up to the rocky slopes.  Then it ascends a gully through the rocks to the low point just right of the summit.

Hiking along the ridge, heading towards the ridge summit in the distance, just left of center in the photo.

From the top of King Creek Ridge, we get a close up of the ascent route.  A trail is visible through the scree at the top of the ramp.  Then the scramble starts up through the rocks.  We realize that this is not a route the dogs will enjoy.  We don’t want to be worried about dogs while climbing here.

At the top of King Creek Ridge we find a summit register!  We agree that if there is a summit register, it must count as a summit.  So here we are on summit #8, King Creek Ridge.  Interestingly, a group of 3 signed the register already this morning with the words, “Now on to Mount Hood.”  I realize these people made the tracks in the dust.  They wisely got an early start.

Checking out the Route up Mount Hood

Here we find the route to descend off the ridge onto the saddle between the ridge and Mount Hood.  It is steep and loose.  We realize we are probably too late in the morning to undertake this more technical ascent and the dogs would struggle too much with this climbing.  Better to turn around and return another day.

This is the first peak I set out to climb this year but turned back before the summit.  It’s tough to accept but this is part of being in the mountains.

Mount Hood will wait for another day.  We will return to take on this interesting route.  After this recon hike today, we have a much better idea of what to expect.  We will get an early start to give ourselves lots of time to tackle the scrambling and we will leave the dogs at home.

Reach the peak!

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