outside For those seeking an extended adventure, head up the 2.9-mile Tilly Jane Ski Trail for an overnight at the historic Tilly Jane Cabin. Built in 1939, the cabin offers rustic but cozy accommodations for up to 20 people. Firewood and pots for melting snow and boiling water are available, but trekkers need to pack in everything else. highways around Mount Hood. Within the Gifford Pinchot National For-
Resources » cooper spur mountain resort Equipment rentals and trails 10755 Cooper Spur Road Mt. Hood, OR (541) 352-6692 cooperspur.com
est, Mount Adams offers three areas: Atkisson
Stop at the Trout Lake Ranger Station in Trout Lake for maps and advice. Ranger Crystal and the other staff will treat you well.
SnoPark, the Old Man Pass Ski Trails, accessible from the Koshko SnoPark, and the Eastside Ski
To the Hut!
Trails at the SnowKing SnoPark. Parking permits
Ten years ago, Don Bain and some high school
are required beginning December 1.
buddies took a trip to Colorado. He brought
Atkisson, at roughly 3,000 feet of elevation,
back more than memories.
provides an easy 4.1-mile round-trip loop that
While in the Rockies, Bain and company did
accesses the Trout Lake Ice Caves. More difficult
» hood river ranger district Snow passes and information 6780 Highway 35 Parkdale, OR (541) 352-6002 fs.usda.gov/detail/mthood
a hut trip: trekking by mountain bike to a desti-
is the Peterson Ridge Trail at 10.6 miles round-
nation hut that was equipped with heat, lights,
trip, but there are chances to see elk, Mount
beds and kitchenware. When he returned, he
Adams and Mount Hood.
discovered that Oregon, and Mount Hood in
» mt. adams ranger district Snow passes and information 2455 Washington 141 Trout Lake, WA (509) 395-3400 fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot
for beginners), up to the truly difficult 1.7-mile
» cascade huts Six destination huts (503) 564-8116 cascadehuts.com » tilly jane cabin Cabin and day shelter (541) 352-6002 recreation.gov/camping » doug’s sports Snowshoe, pole rental and advice 101 Oak Street Hood River, OR (541) 386-5787 dougshoodriver.com » 2nd wind sports Snowshoe, pole rental and advice 210 Oak Street Hood River, OR (541) 386-4464 2ndwind-sports.com
40 the gorge magazine // winter 2014
Old Man combines some groomed and ungroomed trails, with an easy one-mile trek (good OK Loop that’s entirely ungroomed.
particular, had nothing similar available. He came home with a great idea. The epiphany helped launch Cascade Huts, the eight-year-old company he founded with
There are seven accessible loops within the
business partner James Koski that now offers
Eastside Trails area, from the easiest Princess
six destination huts around the Mount Hood
Loop at one mile and the Big Tree Loop at 5.1
area. Three are dedicated to summer mountain
miles, to the difficult Pipeline Loop often filled
biking, and three are set up for winter trekking.
with deep ungroomed snow.
On the southeast side of Hood is the White