Hiking to 9000 feet on Mount Hood - Cooper Spur to Tie In Rock Day Hike

Sep 6

11 years ago we took our first big mountain trip to Mount Hood, Oregon. Our number one hike choice was to complete the hiking portion of the Cooper Spur route, stopping just below the glacier where the climbing portion began. Sadly, the trail was closed due to the 2008 Gnarl Ridge Fire. Fast forward, 11 years and a few thousand more miles under our boots and we set our sights on the Cooper Spur trail. It was a warm, late summer day. A fire was burning miles away in the southeastern part of Oregon, but conditions seemed good for getting out onto the trail with the current wind direction.

The drive to Cooper Spur takes you on a long dirt road through an old, burnt forest. The devastation of forest fires is shocking.

*The Road to Cooper Spur, Mount Hood, Oregon*

The trail begins at the Tilly Jane Campground, situated at 5,700 feet and climbs through a beautiful, dense forest along an moderate trail. Once you reach the Timberline Trail the views open up and just beyond stands the Cooper Spur shelter.

*Cooper Spur Shelter, Mount Hood, Oregon*

As you continue past the shelter, the incredible Eliot Glacier comes into view. A massive glacier that is rapidly shrinking, the Eliot is striking to see. Tinted with the pink/orange dust of the mountain rock, areas of glacial blue are apparent in the cracks and crevices. The glacier is in constant motion and we could hear it moaning, cracking, and shifting as we watched.

The trail continues on, zigzagging up Cooper Spur between the Eliot and Newton Clark Glaciers. As we turned south, we were able to fully appreciate the smoke filled sky from the not so distant wildfires.

*Smoke from the White River Fire, Oregon, 2020*

The final half mile is a narrow walk over crumbling scree, but well worth a few extra deep breaths to keep going. As you reach the start of the climbers route, you have neared 9,000 feet, just a mile below the summit as the crow flies. The summit of Mount Hood looms above at 11,250 feet.

*Memorial Marker on Tie In Rock, Cooper Spur, Mount Hood, Oregon*

*Cooper Spur near Tie In Rock, Mount Hood, Oregon*

The hike down from the high point looks slightly more daunting than the hike up as the expansive view is apparent.

*Trail down Cooper Spur, Mount Hood, Oregon*

After a few more stops to admire the glacier and a visit with the local wildlife, we made our way back to the campground and on our way back to Hood River.