Hiking on Mt. Hood
The Mt. Hood National Forest offers incredible trails for all levels of hikers, and Cooper Spur is a great place to begin your adventure.
Cooper Spur Mountain Resort has served as the perfect hiking base camp for many years. Beginning 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.
Tilly Jane and Cooper Spur Trail
- Distance: 7.8 miles round trip
- Elevation Change: 2600' gain
- Season: Summer through Fall
- Difficulty level: Difficult
- Permit: Northwest Forest Pass Required
Features:
Begin this unique hike at the Cloud Cap camp area following the Timberline Trail #600. Your walk through dunes of mountain ash and boulders surrounded by constantly changing vistas will be inspiring. The trail is marked by large piles of rocks with wood posts.
You’ll be hiking across crystal clear high mountain springs with lush green vegetation and through a thick grove of whitebark pine and lupine. Don’t forget to look over your shoulder for great views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier.
The vistas just keep getting better on the steady, steep climb up Cooper Spur past the old stone shelter built for early mountaineers caught in unfriendly weather. Soon your trail will lead to the very edge of the Eliot Glacier moraine where uniquely spectacular views abound in all directions; high above the timberline, among a few hardy alpine flowers.
The remaining mile is very steep with several switch backs over the last quarter mile off the trail. Once you’ve ascended the summit of Cooper Spur the sky is dark and the views on a clear day, extreme. This hike is more than worth the effort.
Tamanawas Falls
- Distance: 3.4 miles round trip
- Elevation Change: 400' gain
- Season: Late-Spring through Late-Fall
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Permit: Northwest Forest Pass Required
Features:
There are a couple of approaches to Tamanawas Falls but this one begins at the Tamanawas Falls Trailhead along Highway 35. You will turn right on Trail #650 after crossing the East Fork of the Hood River and follow the river for about a half mile.
Then the trail takes a sharp left at the point of a cliff with a great view and heads into the Cold Springs Creek Canyon. Soon you’ll intersect Trail #650A which is directly ahead.
Continue upstream and cross a fine log bridge over Cold Spring Creek. The trail follows the creek all the way to Tamanawas Falls. About a quarter mile before the falls you intersect Trail #650B. You must continue across a rather shabby trail for a couple hundred feet before regaining the original trail, due to a bridge washout. A couple more bends in the trail and you will arrive at Tamanawas Falls.
Timberline Trail
- Distance: 39.8 miles round trip
- Elevation Change: High Point = 7300', Low Point = 3200'
- Season: Summer through Fall
- Difficulty level: Very Difficult due to length and elevation changes
- Permit: Northwest Forest Pass Required
Features:
The Timberline Trail #600 is an excellent trail that circles Mt. Hood at or near the timberline, thus its name. The exact mileage of the trail varies a bit, but it’s very near to 39 miles. The trail is almost always well maintained and in safe condition to hike.
The only significant challenge on this trail is the water crossings. Depending on the time of year, the various run-off rivers and creeks that flow across this trail vary greatly. Make no doubt about it, the crossing of these streams can be very dangerous and caution is absolutely essential.
A hiker can choose which direction to travel. Most people favor beginning at the Timberline Lodge parking lot and hiking west, or clock-wise. The hike is best done in three days, thus requiring two overnight stays along the trail. This narrative is not meant to offer a complete detailed report as to the best places to camp and other various nuances of the hike, but is intended to simply illustrate the trail for the potential hiker.
You are strongly encouraged to obtain books that detail the hike and give you the necessary tips to make the journey an enjoyable adventure. Contact the Forest Service or a local book store to find this information.
Check out NW Hiker for more trails and information:
Continue Exploring
Our Mountain Lodge Awaits
Ready to start planning your trip? Peruse our accommodations and amenities to see everything that Cooper Spur has to offer!
View Lodging