Tilly Jane A-Frame
Mt. Hood National Forest
The Tilly Jane A-Frame is a rustic getaway for individuals, groups and families who enjoy the great outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The facility is one of the oldest structures on Mt. Hood and is a popular cabin used by winter recreationists. Peak season for use of the cabin is November through June. It provides access to scenic terrain, specifically hiking, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing activities. During the summer months (usually mid July-September) the A-Frame is accessed by taking a short quarter mile walk from the Tilly Jane Campground. During the winter months (October-mid July), it serves as a winter retreat for persons hardy enough to make the effort to get to the cabin from the Tilly Jane Sno-Park. Winter conditions often exist for nine months of the year. Visitors can ski to the cabin by climbing the historic Tilly Jane ski trail, which is roughly 2.7 miles, with an elevation gain of 1,900 feet. Skis with climbing skins or snowshoes are recommended and often necessary! Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. Backcountry travel experience is highly recommended.
The 24-by-48, two story structure has a sleeping loft, accessed by a ladder, that can accommodate up to 20 people. More than one group may reserve the facility at the same time. The cabin is equipped with two picnic tables, benches, chairs, a wood stove for heating and boiling/melting snow. In warmer months, water can be found with a short walk to Tilly Jane Creek. We advise that all water be treated or boiled. In winter, water can be obtained by digging an access hole to Tilly Jane Creek, or by melting snow using the pots provided at the cabin. A primitive outhouse with a toilet is provided within the alcove of the structure. You will need to bring your own toilet paper. Guests will need to bring sleeping bags and pads, warm clothing, headlamps, cooking pots, stove and fuel, matches or a lighter. It is best to treat your stay as a backpacking trip, bringing everything you need minus a tent. Several lanterns and replacement mantels are available. You will need to provide the one pound green propane canisters if you wish to use the lanterns. Firewood and splitting tools are provided.
The A-Frame is located high on the north side of Mt. Hood at an elevation of 5,700 feet. It is one of five structures within the Cloud Cap/Tilly Jane Historic District. It was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was used extensively by the American Legion in its early days. The facility is surrounded by old growth trees and is roughly 1,000 feet below tree line.
Multiple trails can be accessed from the A-Frame, some of which are well marked and others covered by snow for most of the year. Nearby trails offer a variety of day trips, including to the Cooper Spur Stone shelter which offers great views of the majestic Mt. Hood, St Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainer.
Permit & Season Information
The cabin is available for use every day by purchasing a reservation permit. In the summer (typically July through October), the cabin can be accessed by car to within 1/4 mile of the cabin. During the winter months, November through June, guests are required to ski or snowshoe to the cabin. Depending on the conditions, guests must be prepared for over-snow travel with minimal trail signage.
- Reservations can be made up to six months in advance but no later than 1 day prior to your intended reservation date. You cannot make same-day reservations.
- A minimum of two people per group are required per reservation/permit.
Need to Know
- Cabin Gate Lock Code: YOU MUST LOG IN TO REC.GOV TO ISSUE OR PRINT YOUR PERMIT within 7 days of your stay to obtain the lock code. Bring it with you on paper or digitally. It is NOT included with your original confirmation email. The cabin is locked by a metal gate; the lock is located at waist level, center of the main gate behind a metal plate. The access code is included on your printed or issued permit. This is the only code you need to gain access. You may issue your permit up to seven days before your arrival date. Once you issue your permit, you cannot make changes to your reservation.
- No dogs are allowed. You are sharing the cabin with multiple parties, people melt snow for drinking water and there is rat poison in the cabin.
- DO NOT CLIMB OR SLED ON THE ROOF. This roof was replaced in 2018 at a cost of over $40,000. We need to treat it gently, to ensure that it lasts as long as possible.
- Poison is used to control the rodent population. You may encounter rodent droppings and other rodent evidence.
- Check-in is 2 p.m.; check out is 1 p.m.
- This is the Tilly Jane A-Frame, not the Tilly Jane Guard Station.
- The A-Frame has a capacity of 20 people per night and often has occupants from several different groups staying at the same time. If a reservation is made for two people, you could be sharing the cabin with 18 others from multiple different groups.
- Drinking water is not available. In winter: Melt snow or access water via Tilly Jane Creek. In summer: Bring your own or filter water via Tilly Jane Creek.
- In summer, guests must walk a quarter mile to the facility after parking at the campground (parking permit not included with cabin rental permit).
- In winter, guest access is by hiking the Tilly Jane Trail, a 2.7 mile hike with a 1,900 feet elevation gain, or via the 9-mile gently sloping road, which is unmarked and unmaintained in winter.
- The Cloud Cap Road access gate (road 3512) is typically closed at Tilly Jane Sno-park, through June or later. Please check the Forest Service Roads Condition page or contact the Hood River Ranger District for up to date information.
- Be prepared for extreme winter weather conditions; guests should be experienced in back country travel and survival skills.
- A snow 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 other locations in the Columbia Gorge Area. Click here for more details.
- While at the A-Frame, carry your printed or electronic permit. It contains the security gate lock code and can be used to resolve any reservation disputes.
- Between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, the facility is open for day use if overnight guests are present.
- Learn more about Mt Hood National Forest.
- For additional information including answers to common questions, visit www.friendsoftillyjanecabins.org .
- 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.
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee: $6.00 (non-refundable)
Recreation Fee: $20 per person, per night. A minimum of two people are required per reservation/permit, $40.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your reservation seven days or more prior to your arrival date, you will receive a full refund, minus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee. If you cancel your reservation six days or less prior to your arrival date, there is no refund.
Change Policy
Changes can be made to the group size or to the length of stay if made seven days or more prior to your arrival date and depending upon availability. Changes can be made to the reservation if made six days or less prior to your arrival date however there will be no refund. Changes cannot be made once you've printed or issued your reservation; there will be no refund.
Print/Issue Permit Information
You must print or issue your permit within seven days of your arrival date by logging into rec.gov. Once you print or issue your permit, you cannot make changes to your reservation.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
6780 Highway 35 Parkdale OR 97041
hello@fotjc.org (best communication method). E-mail is reviewed throughout the day
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