On the first Saturday of September I drove to the 5,900-foot Cloud Cap Saddle Campground on the northeast side of Mt. Hood. Forest fires had burned in the area the last several summers, but had left the campground and trailhead untouched.
Cloud Cap is a very popular staging area for mountain climbers and hikers. In fact, it’s possible to reach Tie-in Rock (where mountain climbers typically rope up) at 8,900 feet, only 2,300 feet below the Summit.
The weather was spectacular with the early morning sunshine providing very nice light for photos of the Mountain and Eliot Glacier, but the sou-easterly wind was brisk and cold.
I began the hike by skirting the moraine below the Glacier, reaching Cooper Spur in a mile. After a short ascent of the Spur, I spotted a shelter built of stones by the CCC in the 1930s.
From there the Trail began steeply ascending the Spur, providing many vistas of the Glacier and Mountain. At roughly 8,000 feet the Trail reached a nice overlook. I decided to call it quits and enjoy the scenery for awhile.
North face of Mt. Hood in the early morning light (Cooper Spur on left)
Langille Glacier
Hikers following me up the Cooper Spur Trail (Mt. Adams in background)
Stone Shelter on Cooper Spur Trail (Mt. Adams in background)
Mountaineering class on the Eliot Glacier (likely taught by one of my fellow Mazamas)
Long look down to the Trailhead and Cloud Cap Inn
Hiker coming down the Cooper Spur Trail (Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams in the background)
Eliot Glacier
Ubiquitous blue of glaciers
Hikers and their dogs on the toe of Eliot Glacier
Hikers heading up the Spur
Wind-blown snow causing haze on the summit of Mt. Hood
Mountaineering class on the Eliot Glacier is an amazing photo!
The Eliot Glacier is huge when you’re up close to it.
Reblogged this on Effervescent Francois! and commented:
Mountain of the Week!
Thanks. Mt. Hood is a great place to hike in late summer and early fall.
What a great adventure! Stunning photos.