Hiking

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, park 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.

Tamanawas Falls Trail
3.8 miles round trip
Located within 3 miles of the resort is an ideal destination to cool off on a hot summer afternoon! The falls are approximately 100 feet high and 40 feet wide. The trail folows Cold Spring Creek and is shaded by Douglas Fir, Cedar and a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. Keep you eyes open for signs of beaver about a half mile from the trailhead.

The trailhead is located aproximately 25 miles south of Hood River, OR on highway 35. When traveling south on highway 35, the trailhead parking lot is located on the (west) or right, just before the Sherwood Campground.


MORE HIKING TRAILS IN THE MT. HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

MT. HOOD NATIONAL FOREST TRAIL REPORT