HIKING TRAILS

Cooper Spur Mountain Resort is a great place to start a day of hiking or biking. From the family looking for a leisurely wildflower hike to the serious trekker looking to start a small expedition, Cooper Spur Mountain Resort makes the perfect base camp. Starting in the spring (May-June) you can find a number of trails within walking distance of the Ski Area and even more just a short drive up the road.

Cloud Cap - More Difficult

3.5 miles one way, 12 mile loop along Cloud Cap Road. From the Resort, drive a few miles up the road towards Cooper Spur Ski Area, parking at the Cloud Cap Road snow gate just before the Ski Area. Just a few feet away, you'll find the Tilly Jane Trail. The trail is rated more difficult due to the steepness of the trail, but the wildflowers and vistas make the climb well worth it. After about 3 miles of uphill, just before a steep ravine, you'll hit the Tilly Jane Campground. Once across the ravine, you'll hit the Cloud Cap Road. Follow the road for about 100 yards and when the road turns right, you should go left and make the final grunt through a meadow to the Cloud Cap parking area. Take a lunch break at one of several spots around the Cloud Cap Inn and soak in the stunning view of Mt Hood. For the return trip, choose one of two routes: If you're looking for a break for your tired calf muscles, take the 8.5 Mile Cloud Cap Road back to the parking lot. If you have the knees to run down the Tilly Jane Trail, you'll get down much faster, but will see much less of the back country.

Tilly Jane Trail- More Difficult

5 mile loop Also rated More Difficult to the steepness of the trail, the Tilly Jane hike covers much of the same ground as the Cloud Cap hike. In fact, the hike starts at the Cloud Cap Road snow-gate, just before the Cooper Spur Ski Area. Again, look for the Tilly Jane Trail. Follow the Tilly Jane Trail #643 to the junction with Polallie Ridge Trail #643A. Follow trail #643A to Tilly Jane Campground. Return via the Tilly Jane Ski Trail to complete the loop.

Cooper Spur Loop- More Difficult

8 mile loop From the Resort follow the signs past the ski area about 8 miles to the Cloud Cap Campground. Follow the timberline Trail #600 south to the junction with the Tilly Jane Trail #600A. Turn right and follow a rough trail uphill to a viewpoint at 8,500 feet. There you’ll find a spectacular view of the north side of Mt Hood and the Elliot Glacier (2nd largest in Oregon). Return to Cloud Cap via Tilly Jane to complete the loop.

East Fork Trail- Less Difficult

6 miles - Easy Family Hike From Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, head south on Cooper Spur Road 2 miles to Hwy 35. Follow Highway 35 south (right) for 5 miles to Robin Hood Campground. Trail # 650 begins at the north end of the campground. Arrange for one member to drive down to Polallie Campground to pick up your group. This makes for a very enjoyable one way hike along the beautiful East Fork of the Hood River. MORE HIKING TRAILS IN THE MT. HOOD NATIONAL FOREST MT. HOOD NATIONAL FOREST TRAIL REPORT