[moosefish]

I had to visit the in-laws in Portland, but my wife and I have a deal that I get a day to hike when we go on a trip that's not of my choosing. I can deal with an overly accommodating grandmother-in-law for that. Even if she did try to smother me with (Hershey's) kisses when I walked in the door. The party was to be me, Denise (Action Betty), Anne (Tazz), Bryan (uh... Bryan), and Gevin (Chief Paulina). Bryan and Gevin both had to bow out (so sucks) so it was just the three of us along with Denise's dog Mr. Big and my dog Tokul. I found myself in a parking lot in Hood River around 7:15am waiting for the others. (I'd driven down to Portland to stay the previous night rolling in around 11:45pm. Ugh.) Coffee, lack of sleep, and excitement had me all jittery. We were going to head up the Cooper Spur on Mt. Hood. My in-laws (those that knew where I was going) were all freaked out because "people die on Mt. Hood." Happily, my wife didn't have that concern or perhaps hoped she'd get to cash in the insurance policies she keeps buying for me. Once we discovered there were more than two McDonalds next to Starbucks in Hood River (go figure) we hooked up. I threw my gear in Denise's truck, Tokul hopped in the back with Mr. Big (a really sweet black lab) and we were off. From Hood River it was a 45 minute drive to the Cooper Spur ski area and the Tilly Jane trailhead. Along the way we could see obstructed views of the mountain (or most of it) and even, according to Anne, a part of the Cooper Spur we were going to climb. There were high clouds obscuring the summit, but down low it looked like decent conditions. At the trailhead we geared up and I again realized my daypack was too small for a trip requiring extra gear. Even with snowshoes strapped to the outside and leaving my extra warm gear I had to squeeze to fit everything in. Usually, this wouldn't be a problem, but I had my brand spanking new crampons (happy birthday to me) with 24 amazingly sharp points. Luckily, Denise had a set of point protectors so I defused their threat with those. With such a full pack I had Tokul carrying her own food and supplies in her pack. (It didn't dawn on me that if I had Denise's protectors what was protecting her from her crampons?) The trail started... well... lousy. We were in trees on a packed trail with no views and not too much of interest. As usual, Tokul hiked with whoever was in the lead, which wasn't me. The trail follows Doe Creek for the first half mile or so before heading up onto the ridge at a junction with the Polallie Ridge trail. I was a little alarmed that there was so little snow. In spots you could see the ground and it was oddly warm out. In fact, we had to stop and strip down before we'd gone too far. Once on the ridge the trip was a little more exciting, though not much. The sun popped through the high clouds a couple of times and we could look across the Doe Creek valley to the trees on the other side. Nothing spectacular, though. At about three miles in we came to the Tilly Jane campground and ski shelters. When I think of a ski shelter I envision a tiny little hut with a piddly wood stove and maybe room for a couple of people. This "shelter" was about the size of my first house. (Ok, perhaps a bit of an exageration, but not by much.) On the first floor were big tables and a huge stove. Wood was stacked outside by the toilet. Upstairs was room for perhaps a dozen or so sleeping bags and a little balcony as well. We all went inside (except Tokul who refused to even consider it) and ate lunch. The food was good and revived us a bit. We were at about 5,800 feet and had already climbed about 2,000 feet from the trailhead. I had accomplished one of my goals and tried out my new crampons. The conditions didn't really call for them, but the trail traversed a steep section that I slipped on at least once so it wasn't totally false, but I wouldn't have been stressed if I didn't have them. From the cabin we started up again. There were fresh ski tracks that must have belonged to the one other car at the trailhead, but we diverged from them at the second cabin. We crossed tiny Tilly Jane Creek where we could see at least 10 feet of snow piled above a trickle of water at the bottom. On the other side were two more cabins, but both were locked up tight. GPS indicated we ought to head back the other way so we crossed the creek again and headed up through the trees. In short order we found ourselves on the edge of a mild gully that led out of the trees to the open slopes above us. The skiers swooshed down past us and the dogs had serious thoughts about giving chase, but came to their senses when they could only just make out the skiers disappearing into the trees below us. Although there had been some steep sections on the trail before it had been a fairly mellow climb. It was no different here. The angle of the slope was modest and now that we were approaching the tree line I was pumped to continue. After all, getting above the treeline was another other goal for the day. Unfortunately, just as we cleared the trees and entered into what would be rocky meadows during the summer the clouds blew in. What should have been views of the north face of Mt. Hood were instead views of a gray mass. We continued up weaving through the trees and angling toward the northwest edge of the Cooper Spur. One ridge separated us from the moraine of the Eliot Glacier. It was mostly clear of snow courtesy of the winds that batter the area. Speaking of wind, it chose around this time to make an appearance. We were out of the shelter of the trees and the wind would rise from the west and blow stinging snow and ice right into our faces as we climbed the barren slope. A GPS waypoint that I set roughly where I guessed the shelter would be was all we really had to guide us toward our final goal, the Cooper Spur shelter. Looking up the slope we could see mammoth boulders. Peering through the blowing snow I headed toward one gray blob that turned out to be a big rock. To the left of it were three more blobs, but one seemed to be a little too straight and orderly to be natural. As we got closer we could pick out the neat rows of rock that formed the walls and knew we had arrived. (Turned out the waypoint I had set based on where the Tilly Jane trail crossed the 6,600 foot elevation line was really accurate.) To our disappointment, the shelter was full of snow so we couldn't go inside. Strangely, the shelter and the surrounding boulders were ringed by troughs melted into the snow. When the sun heats the rocks it melts the snow around them. Cool. We hung out in the lee of the shelter to get out of the wind. Tokul finally got the food she had been carrying in her pack. Mr. Big dug in the snow and occasionally let loose with a burst of energy that usually resulted in a barely tolerant look from Tokul who was several years his senior. We talked about two of the climbers who disappeared on this side of the mountain and who still haven't been found. The thought was chilling and so was the wind. We stayed at the shelter for about half an hour before starting down. The mountain never showed itself. We made great time on the way down. The blowing snow had almost completely covered our tracks above the treeline, but Anne had paid good attention to our route and guided us back with no issues. (GPS had also recorded our route so we could have followed that back, too.) Once back in the trees the wind let up and we were able to shed our hoods if not more of our insulation. We tried a few glissades, but the slopes weren't really steep enough and where they were there was a little too much fresh snow. We had only a few good runs. My best one was also my last as I rolled over on to my hip to lift my snowshoes off the snow. Two thoughts flashed through my mind. (1) This is how I broke my ankle last year. (2) Why am I sliding on the same hip I slid down the stairs on? Ow ow ow ow. I ventured to the edge and looked down into the old moraine that Polallie Creek flows out of. The walls were amazingly steep, but of course as soon as I got my camera out the clouds rolled back in. Back in the trees the temperature had warmed up so much the snow was melting off the trees and it started raining. Through the drizzle I looked up to see blue sky to the north. Figures. (I choose to believe the views from the shelter were still socked in.) The trail out was the same we had taken in, but seemed to drag on and on. The last half mile was the low point. We had taken off our snowshoes and were postholing with some regularity. Not much fun at all. Back at the cars at last we shed our wet gear and headed down the mountain. In Hood River I thanked Denise and Anne for a great day on the mountain. Had it not been for them I wouldn't have ventured beyond the area of waterfall hikes I've done on previous trips to Portland. Getting above the tree line was definitely a highlight even if I didn't get the spectacular multi-volcano views that this area has to offer. It's just another reason to come back. Oh, yeah. If you haven't had a chance to hike with these two it's a blast. Total distance was about eight miles with 2,800 feet of gain.

1 label

[wildernessed]

I like the untouched open area shots with wind sculpted snow.

[Tazz]

What a pleasure it was to meat you moosfish! What guy could plan to hook up with 2 guys and 2 girls and then be so cool when it is just the girls who can make it? I very much enjoyed your company, thanks. Thank-you for the great write up and stats. My stats came out the same. They certainly don’t match some other info out there. Some great images I was expecting! I love Tokul!! Again AB supplied the smiles and laughter! Always good to get out with the AB! Last year AB and I did this trip in similar weather but mountain came out for us. This time it was hiding. (Sorry moosefish) I was liking the A frame Tilly Jane ski hut. It is huge! It would be tons of fun in the spring on a good weather weekend! Lots of spring corn to be found up there! No need for snowshoes! I booted 90+% of the time. Only put them on for a section in the woods on the way down between the open meadows and the A frame. (I booted most of Yellow hill trip too. It was a bit softer in the Yellow hill area but still doable.) Wahoo spring snow is here! Saw a took a pic of a ‘snowbow’! See I told you guys it was there.

Look there it is! Snowbow!

All in all it was great fun to get out with AB again and so great to meat you Moosefish. I hope we can get out together again soon!

Goofing around on PS

visibility was not too bad.

JUMP!!!

[moosefish]

You got much better color from your pics than I did, Tazz. Nice. I looked and looked for the snowbow in my pics, but couldn't find it even a little. Glad you got it.

[Bryan K]

It looks like you guys had a fun trip. Sorry I couldn't make it. Great pics, thanks for sharing

[ActionBetty]

Bryan, you were missed..as was Chief Paulina. What a great trip..even though we had to brave nasty ice pelting winds..blizzard like conditions, and a white out...it was fun. I did some scary cornice surfing..Im suprised I am still alive to talk about it..whew John offered kisses to all at the shelter.. I obliged..it was tasty w/ almonds..mmmmmmmmmmm Tokul is a sweetie..Mr. Big was proud to have her as part of his harem for the day Here are a few pics.. I kept my camera in for most of the trip because of the heavy precipitation.

John straps on his new crampons

John at the A-frame

moosefish braves the elements

Anne digging for gold

Tazz,Tokul,and ActionJackson at the Cooper Spur Shelter

[silly_traveler]

Sounds like a fun trip I love all the pictures Cool shelter!

[Chief Paulina]

So sorry I couldn't join you guys. I may never get another invite. Sounds like the snow conditions that I experienced earlier in the week. I bought some snow shoes for this trip, now I will have to use them at least once before it is too late.

[Tazz]

Bryan. Sorry about all your gear! Sucks that it is that that ruined your joining us! another time I am sure Chief, I am bummed. I was looking forward to finally meeting you. Well I am sure there will be another time down the road! Oh BTW. Beware of AB and her attack snowshoes and pack!!!! I have a nice little cut and bruise under my eye from the attack. They are both vicious. And she thought her dog was her protector....HA! That pack with the snowshoes is much more lethal.

[moosefish]

Chief, don't think you're getting out of another trip with me so easy. I expect many (many) more trips to Portland and maybe, just maybe more to the Bend area. (My sister-in-law and family might be relocating there.) Besides, it ain't that far to get to North Bend. Heck, it only took us eight hours to make the drive from (regular) Bend.

[ActionBetty]

Oh Tazz, your poor eye.. thats the last time I show you my best imitation of Bruce Lee with snowshoes on Gevin, I am always open to a hike/snowshoe around the the bend area or the Gorge..whats it looking like in April around Bend? I have been to Mt Bachelor snowboarding several times (10 hour drive RT) and have yet to summit it from the lift chair..it's always closed when I arrive. .

[Chief Paulina]

I'll just have to stir up a good outing in central OR for April. Smith Rocks? Badlands? Snow shoe the Cascades? Ochocos? Until then, I must endure a week in Tucson.

[Bryan K]

I'm up for another trip to Oregon. Only difficult part is that I have Thursday and Friday off. I don't mind driving straight back after a Friday snowshoe though.

[Magellan]

Thanks for the TR guys, looks like a great trip.