Cloud Cap to Tie-in Rock hike: Mount Hood, Cooper Spur
Details
With clear, sunny skies on Monday, this could be one of our last chances in 2026 to ascend to the highest on-trail point on Mount Hood without snow gear. Although it will be chilly, and **microspikes are recommended.**The route up Cooper Spur is considered to be steep by some. But it will be worth the effort for those views!
This hike will include a visit to a stone shelter and a historic guard station, as well as weather-permitting views of Eliot Glacier, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Elk Meadows, the Hood River Valley, the Columbia River Plateau, Gnarl Ridge, and of course, an closeup look at the north face of Mount Hood.
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Difficulty: Moderate (Difficult if you're not used to hiking up at mountain elevation)
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Hiking distance: 8.2 mile lollipop loop
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Elevation gain: 2800 feet, possibly a bit more
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Total hiking time: 3-6 hours, depending on if we get a fast group; I’m easily pleased
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Total driving distance: 178 miles RT from Portland; If you organize a carpool (Gateway Transit Center is conveniently located)-- $17 suggested donation to drivers, unless drivers determine otherwise
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Permits: NW Forest Pass for each vehicle
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Dogs: Not unless they are in supremely good shape
The Plan:
I'd recommend leaving the Portland area no later than 07:15 to reach the trailhead by 09:00. I have a pre-dawn meeting, otherwise we'd get an earlier start. We have some altitude to gain!
From Cloud Cap, we’ll take the Timberline Trail #400 up through blue alpine and blue huckleberries up to the Cooper Spur Trail. We’ll hike up to the stone shelter, taking a short break to explore it.
Continuing up the steep trail, we will be treated to those previously mentioned views and sounds of the crackling Eliot Glacier, until we reach the memorial plaque for an ill-fated Japanese climbing party. It’s only 500 more yards of climbing from there to Tie-In Rock (pictured above).
Descending the way we came up, we’ll make this a lollipop loop by hiking along the rim of Polallie Canyon, through the historic Tilly Jane Guard Station, and finally climb back uphill to return to the Cloud Cap trailhead.
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Pace: My usual hiking style is fairly brisk (2.5-3.5 mph or faster when not running), and you’ll wanna be in decent shape for this one. But having fun together is WAY more important to me than pace, so I don’t want anyone to feel rushed. We will enjoy short breaks as needed for snacks, photos, and viewpoints.
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Bring: Gas money (if you carpool), 2+ liters of water, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing, a camera, and shoes with good traction. Boot traction for the early season snow and hiking poles could be useful.
It is also recommended that hikers always carry the, um, "ELEVEN" Essentials:
- Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
- Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
- Insulation (extra clothing)
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)
- First-aid supplies
- Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
- Knife/tools
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (extra water)
- Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wild.
- A green lantern
PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.