Tilly Jane Guard Station

$200.00/night

Show on map RESERVATIONS@TILLYJANECABINS.ORG hello@fotjc.org

C/O HOOD RIVER RANGER STATION, 6780 HWY 35
Parkdale, OR 97041

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.

Facilities

The cabin accommodates up to 8 people. It includes a full kitchen (no running water) and a second story sleeping loft with 8 sleeping 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 Jane Creek. We recommend all water be treated.

Guests will need to bring their own bedding, clothing, food, and garbage bags. 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.

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.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Largest party: 8 people

Fees

Reservation Fee: $6.00 (non-refundable) Recreation Fee: $200.00 per night, two night minimum/maximum required

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

7 reviews

5 stars

Bridget D

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Such a special cabin and clearly cared for with a lot of love and dedication from volunteers. The Guard Station is a glamping experience! The kitchen is fully stocked, including all dishes, utensils, cookware, oil and spices. What a luxury of having the sleeping pads, firewood, cleaning supplies and pit toilet provided as well. We also loved the gas lamps and found them to be so cozy and unique. You really just need to bring your sleeping gear, food and water treatment - everything else is there. Definitely check out the sunsets at Cloud Cap Inn, and be aware you might have some critters joining you in the sleeping loft - we had a baby bat and mouse stop by! We had cell service the whole time (Verizon) and the road was open in late June (it opened June 5 this year) so we were able to drive right up. Excited to come check out the cabin in the winter time, I can see why it is always booked now!

Kirsten A

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

The Guard Station is a well stocked, quaint little cabin with all the cozy vibes. It was easy to stay warm with the fire going in the fireplace and woodstove. The kitchen has all the pots and pans you could ever need including cast iron options, baking sheets, etc. I wish we had been more creative with our meals and menus, but we know for next time! And the pit toilet is attached - totally luxury. There are books and games. And plenty of views and places to explore nearby. I can't wait to go back!

Mike M

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

Stay away

Sara A

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 4 years ago

Great cozy place to spend a weekend in the woods in the winter. Kitchen is well equipped. Makes a great 'base camp' for backcountry skiing/snowshoeing in the area.

Gabrielle O

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 4 years ago

Wonderful cabin that's well-equipped. Mice are definitely there so be vigilant on storing food and putting away stuff whenever you leave!

Gabrielle O

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed 6 years ago

Cozy cabin in a great location. Deep snow even in early April so we did have to use the 2nd story hatch to enter! We also had to dig out tunnels to the windows to get some natural light. It was pretty dark inside before we did that! The structure is well supplied with kitchen ware, paper towels, TP, propane for the stove, propane for the lights, firewood, etc. and generally in good condition. The sleeping pads are OK. We were grateful for the outhouse being indoors and the sink for indoor gray water disposal. The fireplace is pleasant to sit by but doesn’t give off a lot of heat- the stove in the kitchen (although it doesn’t seal up for maximum efficiency any more) gives off more heat. It seemed to take 2 days for the stone chimney to warm up and radiate heat. We very much enjoyed our stay and look forward to returning! Great location for skiing in the trees and near/below/on the Cooper Spur. We took the Tilly Jane trail to the cabin and followed the road out and would recommend that for skiers.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 1% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 3 years of reservations.