Tilly Jane Guard Station
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.
The cabin accommodates up to 8 people. It includes a full kitchen (no running water) and a second story sleeping loft with pads. It has propane lighting and a cooking stove/oven, as well as all cooking pots and utensils. A variety of seating is available, as well as a table and chairs. A fireplace and woodstove with firewood are also provided. An on-site pit toilet is located within the wood room of the cabin. Water is obtained by melting snow or by digging an access hole to Tilly Creek. We recommend all water be treated.
Guests will need to bring their own bedding, clothing, food, garbage bags and toilet paper. A variety of house rules exist, including proper closure of the cabin, which involves shutting off the gas, reinstalling the shutters and locking the cabin up. The cabin will need to be cleaned prior to leaving, dishes washed and everything in its place. Guests will also need to replenish a supply of wood and kindling for the next group. All food and garbage must be removed from the cabin.
Need to Know
Contact hello@fotjc.org if there are any issues.
The Guard Station can usually only be accessed by skis or snowshoes.
No dogs are allowed. Rodent poison is in use at the Guard Station.
- Tent camping is not allowed at the facility.
Please review your reservation confirmation document for the cabin access code. Access is via a second story locked snow door. You will need a headlamp and may be required to dig out the front door before fully opening the cabin. Any questions should be directed to hello@fotjc.org. (Checked daily.)
Detailed check in/check out procedures are located in the kitchen and welcome booklet.
- This is the Tilly Jane Guard Station, not the Tilly Jane A-Frame.
Drinking water is not available; melt snow or access water via Tilly Creek. (All water should be treated).
Guest access is via the historic Tilly Jane Trail, a 3 mile climb with a 1,900 foot elevation gain. There is also the 9-mile Cloud Cap Road which is not marked and not maintained in the winter.
Be prepared for extreme winter weather conditions; guests should be experienced in backcountry travel and survival skills.
An Oregon Sno-Park permit is required to park at Tilly Jane Sno-Park; these can be purchased online, at the Hood River Ranger Station during open hours, or at several other locations in the Columbia Gorge Area.
- Learn more about the Mt. Hood National Forest
Visit the Oregon Nordic Club (ONC-PDX.org) chapter site for more information including answers to common questions and other useful information.
- Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
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.
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.
Changes & 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.
Contact Information
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C/O HOOD RIVER RANGER STATION 6780 HWY 35 Parkdale OR 97041
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: RESERVATIONS@TILLYJANECABINS.ORG
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving 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.
