Does anyone here know what the weather and route conditions are like on Mt Hood and Mt Adams (south side routes, both mountains) in Mid July as oposed to Mid June? I would like to know if mid July is too late for these mountains. I'd like to go in mid to late June, based on what people here have said, but I may not be able to go that early and I don't want to give up on my goals and commitments. Any information on actual routes would be a great help.
From what People here have said, mid June would provide good snow and ice, while providing somewhat stable weather. And a lot of people suggested that I take the South side routes on both mountians. Now I need to start looking into this stuff again so I can get prepaired.
Thanks

If you are looking for good "starter" non-technical mountain routes, both of these are great. And yes, both of them are climbable in July. Be aware that by that time they will both be exercises in step-kicking/following kicked steps. Though they are 'non-technical' depending upon your experience/comfort level you may want to bring a rope and a few pieces of snow pro. Adams is completely un-crevassed, Hood has at least one.

Ron is right about following kicked steps. I highly doubt you will be kicking any steps of you own, as the daily procession of climbers in mid July will take care of that for you. Although it is an excellent starter route don't count on a big mountain wilderness experience.

I mentioned it in responses to your previous posts and I'll mention it again... be very careful using rope, it is likely to be more dangerous than it is safe, depending on how you use it.

Cool!
I will not be taking a rope and harness. The biggest reason for this is I will only be climbing with one other person. I beleive that any group of less than four should not be roped togeather. By your replies, I'm going to assume that snow will be somewhat soft and slushy by mid July, rather than nice and hard. What is the likelyhood of punch-holing? I ran into that once before and hated it with all my guts.
For Hood, I'm going to do that in one day. Thinking about starting anytime between 10:00PM and 12:00 AM. Several people have told me that the ski-slope groomers don't much like the climbers, and chase them off with their snow-doos if they come down too late in the morning. I would have thought there would be a small corridor for climbers to pass through without interfering with the skiers.
For Adams, I'd like to do that one in two days, with a camp about half way. Does Mt. Adams require a walk-in to the base, or does it have a parking lot at the base? I know Mt. Hood has a lot right at the base.
I was also wondering if I am required to have a permit to climb or camp on either of these mountains. I know for Mt. Shasta, I needed a permit to climb it. Any idea on how much that would cost, and where I can get one?

Depending upon the snow level for this year, and how late in to July you go, you may be able to drive all the way to Cold Spring Camp on Adams. The road opens in stages as the snow melts. You register to climb in the town of Trout Lake; you drive through there on the way to the climb, the station is well signed.

Be sure to bring crampons for both routes. If you are starting out early enough, and it sounds like you plan to, you should hit good firm snow/ice.

In my experience with the groomers on Hood, the 'problems' are over blown. More a myth then anything. There is a tracked trail along side the ski area so you will not be on the open ski slopes, therefore there is not a problem.

If you are going more towards the beginning of July, and you want to spice things up just a little, consider the Mazama Glacier (SE side) or the White Salmon/Avalanche glaciers (WSW side) on Adams. Both have crevasses, though limited and generally easily spotted. For these I would reconsider your thoughts on using a rope/snow pro though......IMHO.....

My plans have been set in stone- I will be climbing between the 16th and the 23rd of JUNE. I had to explore the possibility of going in July, but my climbing buddy was able to clear his schedule for the June dates. That said, the routs should be well snow covered and with hard snow. I still have to check out the actual routes for both mountains, but I got my detailed Topo maps focusing on the south side for both mountains.