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Backcountry Trail Run - Timberline Trail

Trip

Backcountry Trail Run - Timberline Trail

Discover the Timberline Trail that circles Oregon's Mt. Hood in a day! We'll pick the best weather day of the weekend (or just do 2 shorter runs if the weather doesn't cooperate.) Stay at the Tilly Jane A-Frame with trip leader Friday/Saturday or make your own lodging or camping arrangements.

Contacts

Gabrielle Orsi
Gabrielle Orsi
Primary Leader
Qualified Youth Leader
  • Strenuous, Advanced Ultra 2
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 41.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 11,000 ft
  • Pace: 3-6mph

Tilly Jane A-Frame off the Cloud Cap Road, NE side of Mt. Hood, time TBD but will be early! 
Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent required for parking.

GPS coordinates of Tilly Jane A-Frame: 45.3988889,-121.6480556

Driving directions: From Hood River, OR: Drive south on Hwy 35 for 8.5 miles, past the Hood River Ranger Station. Look for the Cooper Spur Inn sign and turn right off Hwy 35. From here the roads are unpaved but generally drive-able in most vehicles if you are cautious. Drive the Forest Road 3512 to Cooper Spur Inn. Turn left here onto the Cloud Cap/Tilly Jane Road #3512.  In summer months (usually between July-September), continue up the long winding Road #3512, veering left onto Road 630 near the top. Taking a right will lead you to the Cloud Cap and Snowshoe hut structures. Park at the Tilly Jane Campground and take the Tilly Jane Trail, 600B, a quarter mile to its intersection with the Tilly Jane A-Frame.

Leaders Permission Required: This is a going to be a long, difficult run. When you request permission please explain your preparation and previous experience with similar self-supported runs of 40+ miles and 7,000+ feet of elevation gain.

Trip Plan: Go around the volcano clockwise on Saturday 9/24/22. Since there are many stream crossings, very wet weather or otherwise foul weather will change this plan to something less ambitious.

Logistics: Trip leader has a reservation to stay at the large primitive Tilly Jane A-Frame Friday, 9/23, and Sat., 9/24. Elevation: approx. 5700 feet so it can be chilly!
Participants/other trip leaders are welcome to stay there too, your pre-payment of your share of the cost reserves your spot. Tilly Jane A-frame is just a structure with some tables & chairs, so you need everything you'd bring for car camping/backpacking, except the tent. It's a short walk to the parking area from the A-Frame.   
There is also the nearby first-come, first-served Tilly Jane campground for primitive tent camping. 

Tilly Jane A-frame pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/150138129@N04/albums/72157695167943062

Route/Place

Timberline Trail


  • Green Trails Mount Hood Climbing No. 462S
    Green Trails Government Camp No. 461
    Green Trails Mount Hood No. 462
  • See full route/place details.
Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • The Ten Essentials
  • Sturdy running shoes
  • Food, water treatment method for the trail
  • A second pair of socks is recommended due to multiple stream crossings
  • Pack to hold your extra layers, headlamp, gear, snacks, etc.
  • Gaiters, poles (optional)
  • PLB (optional)

If you plan on camping: if you stay at Tilly Jane A-frame or campground you'll need to bring all your own food, camping gear, etc.

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