Established Camping
Tilly Jane Guard Station
Tilly Jane Guard Station is located in the Mt. Hood National Forest near Parkdale, Oregon. The area features forested terrain with trails leading to scenic views of Mt. Hood. Temperatures range from lows in the 30s Fahrenheit in winter to highs in the 70s during summer, making it suitable for various outdoor activities. Nearby attractions include the Timberline Lodge and the Mt. Hood Meadows ski area, offering additional recreational opportunities for campers.
Description
National Forest
Mt. Hood National Forest
Overview
Tilly Jane Guard Station is an ideal getaway for individuals and families who enjoy the great outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It is one of the oldest structures on Mt. Hood and provides shelter for warmth and an escape from the elements while participating in a variety of activities, specifically winter-related recreation. During the winter months it serves as a winter retreat for visitors hardy enough to access the cabin from the Tilly Jane Sno-Park. The Guard Station can usually only be accessed by skis or snowshoes, as the Cloud Cap road is closed from late October until early July.Guests can access the cabin following a 9-mile, gently sloping road, or via the historic Tilly Jane Ski Trail, which is roughly 2.7 miles with an elevation gain of 1,900 feet. Skis with skins or snowshoes are highly recommended and travelers should be prepared for extreme weather conditions. The TJ Ski Trail is poorly marked due to the 2008 Gnarl Ridge Fire so be on notice. Guests should be experienced in backcountry travel and survival skills. Guests must also bring several of their own amenities.
Recreation
Visitors to the Guard Station enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing, which can be done most of the year due to high levels of snowfall in the area. Many trails exist in the area, prompting exploration. Most trails are not marked so visitors should be familiar with the area. Above the tree line, visitors can catch a glimpse of Mt. Adams, St Helens, Mt. Rainier and the Hood River Valley flanked by the dry high desert of eastern Oregon.
Natural Features
The Guard Station is located high on the northeast side of Mt. Hood at an elevation of 5,700 feet. It was built in 1934 and initially received seasonal use for back country access and fire protection. The cabin is one of five structures in the area built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is part of the Cloud Cap/Tilly Jane Historic District. The facility is operated and maintained by the volunteer organization, Oregon Nordic Club, under a permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (877) 444-6777.
Charges & Cancellations
Standard Rec.gov change/cancellation policies apply. Cancellations with less than 14 days notice will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night's reservation fee and $6 booking fee.
Fee Info
Reservation Fee: $6.00 (non-refundable) Recreation Fee: $200.00 per night, two night minimum/maximum required
Location
Tilly Jane Guard Station is located in Oregon
Directions
From Hood River, OR: South on Hwy 35 for 23 miles, well past the Hood River Ranger Station. Look for the Cooper Spur Inn sign and turn right off Hwy 35 onto Cooper Spur Rd. (Just north of/before Olallie trailhead). Drive Cooper Spur Rd. for 2.4 miles to Cooper Spur Inn. Turn left onto the Cloud Cap/Tilly Jane Road #3512. The trailhead is Tilly Jane Sno-park, just past the intersection with Cooper Spur ski area, with parking on the right and the trailhead in the woods on the left side of the road. This is the trailhead used for winter travel (usually between October-June). Cloud Cap/Tilly Jane Road #3512 is gated/locked and not plowed in winter. The second option is to follow the Cloud Cap Road (FS Road 3512). This is the 9 mile gently sloping road.The safest way to ski down is the Cloud Cap Road (FS Road 3512). This can be a long (9 mile), extremely difficult slog if there is soft snow. The Old Wagon Road shortens this distance by about 4 to 5 miles, but involves steep slopes in the upper section of the road. The shortest route and probably the safest in poor snow conditions is to ski or walk down the Tilly Jane Ski Trail, a distance of 2.7 miles.
Address
C/O HOOD RIVER RANGER STATION
6780 HWY 35
Parkdale, OR 97041
Coordinates
45.3988889 N
121.6480556 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Fires
Contact
General Info
Reservations
