Cooper Spur is the highest point on Mt. Hood that can be reached by a trail. The trailhead starts at 5850 feet, and climbs an additional 2800 feet. This was just a 6.4 mile hike, but the altitude made it difficult. We found ourselves breathing hard when we had only just begun, and gradually getting more used to it. At the top, we were rewarded with a closeup view of Eliot Glacier on the north side of Mt. Hood, and a spectacular panorama with Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Adams.
Reaching the Cloud Cap Trailhead, where this hike begins, was tough. We don't own a 4-wheel drive, and getting there means a long drive on really rough gravel. Just beyond the trailhead is the Cloud Cap Inn, which has been there for over 110 years. A forest fire in 2008 must have come right up to the inn, but miraculously spared it. Life is gradually returning to the forest, but the blackened trees go on for miles around.
The trail itself was not in the path of the fire. Clouds of yellow glacier lilies wind between patches of snow, beneath trees which grow steadily thinner and more twisted before disappearing altogether. Midway up there is a hiking shelter which has survived many avalanches in the last 60 years. We stopped to have a picnic lunch and enjoy the spectacular view before finishing our climb.
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| The Cooper Spur hiking shelter. |
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| Blue lupines with lots of ladybugs. |
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| Phlox. |
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| The lupines higher up are short and scrubby. |
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| Alpine Aster. |
The trail itself was not in the path of the fire. Clouds of yellow glacier lilies wind between patches of snow, beneath trees which grow steadily thinner and more twisted before disappearing altogether. Midway up there is a hiking shelter which has survived many avalanches in the last 60 years. We stopped to have a picnic lunch and enjoy the spectacular view before finishing our climb.
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