Alpine Ski Tour to Tilly Jane A Frame and Cooper Spur Shelter

Activity Notes

This is a moderate tour option that starts at an altitude of around 4000 feet. Navigating through the trees, then a large burn area with spectacular views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams and surroundings, and again back into the trees, the Tilly Jane A-frame is approached after an 1800 vertical foot climb.  Weather, conditions and group dynamics permitting, the tour continues to the base of a triangle moraine at the Cooper Spur shelter at approximately 7000 feet. Descent options include returning to the trailhead using the ascent route or descending below the Tilly Jane A-frame and connecting to the Polallie Ridge Trail and following it to the bottom of the Cooper Spur Ski area.  

We will travel uphill at a moderate pace, taking about two hours to reach the Tilly Jane A-Frame.  It's an 1800 vertical foot climb to the A-frame and another 1200 vertical feet to the Cooper Spur shelter, if we choose to go on to the higher objective. 

Tour times : plan on arriving to the Tilly Jane Sno-Park by 7:30 AM for the best parking options. We'll start the tour at 8:00 AM and plan on returning around 4:00 PM but this end time can vary.   

*Requirements: You must own and bring your own avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.  You must also be a graduate of the Backcountry Ski course. 

Note: this is a ski tour and not a lecture. If the Tilly Jane trail doesn't have sufficient snow cover, this tour may be moved to an alternate location.