Mount Hood is a stratovolcano, and is host to twelve named glaciers
or snow fields. The glaciers are almost exclusively above the
6,000-foot level, which also is about the average tree line
elevation on Mount Hood. More than 80% of the glacial surface area
is above 7,000 feet.
The glaciers and permanent snow fields have an area of 3,331
acres (13.48 km2) and contain a volume of about 282,000 acre feet
(0.348 km3). Eliot Glacier is the largest glacier by volume at
73,000 acre feet (0.090 km3), and has the thickest depth measured
by ice radar at 361 feet (110 m). The largest glacier by surface
area is the Coe-Ladd Glacier system at 531 acres (2.15 km2).
Glaciers and snowfields cover about 80% of the mountain above
the 6,900-foot level. The glaciers have lost an average of 34% over
the 20th century (1907–2004). Glaciers on Mount Hood
retreated through the first half of the 20th century, advanced or
at least slowed their retreat in the 1960s and 1970s, and have
since returned to a pattern of retreat. The neo-glacial maximum
extents formed in the early 18th century.
During the last major glacial event between 10,000 and 29,000
years ago, glaciers reached down to the 2,300-foot to 2,600-foot
level: a distance of 9.3 miles from the summit. The retreat
released considerable outwash, some of which filled and flattened
the upper Hood River Valley near Parkdale and also formed Dee Flat.
This, on a somewhat clear day is visible from your location.
Directions: (Summer months)
Park at Cloud Cap Inn and sign in at the Cooper Spur Trail head
(6000ft.)
Proceed up the Cooper Spur Trail to coords (6,900ft.)
Directions: (Winter months, gate closed)
Park at Cooper Spur Ski Resort and snowshoe/ski the Cooper Spur
Trail via Tilly Jane Guard Station ski cabin.
This requires an over night trip.
It's ALWAYS a good idea to write down your travel plans, including
coords and place on your dash.
REQUIREMENTS to LOG CACHE: E-Mail me the answers to the
following questions:
1) At the posted coords, which side of the trail LEADING DOWN to
the glacier is the cairns (pile of rocks) on?
2) What is your estimated width of Eliot canyon?
3) What is your estimated distance to the Eliot Glacier head
wall?
4) Although I can't require a photo, one or many would be
appreciated!
***ARM CHAIR LOGS WILL BE DELETED***
Ice axes and crampons are highly recommended during winter through
late spring.
Eliot Glacier is a great place for ice climbing. Many crevasses
line the glacier and are great for any level of climbing ability.
The head wall is a blast as well.
REI is a great place to rent mountaineering gear. (boots, crampons,
& ice ax packages available at select REI locations. Downtown
and Tualitin, I know carry gear rental packages.)
If you plan on exploring Eliot Glacier please
remember:
Rock climbing and mountaineering have inherent
risks involved. Climbing and mountaineering are dangerous
activities. Understand and accept the risk involved before
participating in any glacier activities. You are responsible for
your own actions and assume the risks of your decisions. Before
using any climbing and mountaineering gear, read and understand all
instructions and warnings that accompany it, familiarize yourself
with its capabilities and limitations and obtain proper training in
the use of the equipment. Check and understand the avalanche danger
level(s) before you set out on any back country, mountaineering
activities, and adhere to those warnings.
Failure to read and follow these warnings can result in severe
injury or death!
Mountain Locator Units DO NOT work on the north side of
the mountain