US 26 over the mountain
US 26 climbs from Sandy through Rhododendron to Government Camp, at 3,891 feet, then crosses Wapinitia Pass and Blue Box Pass (4,017 feet) on the way to Madras. Government Camp averages 232 inches of snow a year. Timberline, Mt. Hood Skibowl and Summit Pass all turn off this road, so ski weekends put resort traffic on the grade.
OR 35 to Hood River
OR 35 leaves US 26 near Government Camp and runs 42 miles over Bennett Pass (4,647 feet) to Hood River. Mt. Hood Meadows is on this side. Hood River sits on the dry side of the Cascades, and the cameras at Meadows Drive and Parkdale are the ones to check for the east side of the mountain.
Chains and closures
ODOT posts chain and traction-tire requirements on both highways when conditions call for it, and closes them for storms and avalanche control. Requirements change by the hour in a storm. Check the cameras, then follow the signs at the chain-up areas.
Are chains required on Mount Hood?
When ODOT posts them. The signs at the chain-up areas on US 26 and OR 35 carry the current requirement.
How high is the road over Mount Hood?
Government Camp on US 26 is 3,891 feet. Bennett Pass on OR 35 is 4,647 feet. Blue Box Pass, on US 26 south of the OR 35 junction, is 4,017 feet.