Tilly Jane A-Frame Overnight Midweek

Mt. Hood National Forest, OR
Mar. 19-21, Tue-Thu
Advanced Backcountry

ONC Portland, under the extraordinary leadership of Jenn and Andre, operates the Tilly Jane A-Frame.  But we have never had an official overnight ski trip there.  So here is your chance!  This trip is all about camaraderie, exploring and skiing. 

Tilly Jane A-Frame is located on the northeast shoulder of Mt Hood and in the winter is accessed via the Sno Park at the bottom of Cloud Cap Road.  Here is a video that OPB did about it:  Worth The Effort. 

This is challenging ski and most folks use telemark, AT, or split board gear, with skins on the uphill. Snowshoes are an option also.  The route starts in the trees, but then breaks out into the burn from the Gnarl Fire, so if it is storming, the wind can howl and the need to pay close attention to route finding is key.  

Once up at the A-Frame and have unloaded our gear, we can head out to ski and explore the area beyond the A-Frame. 

Skiing down to end our trip provides some options if the weather is clear, snow conditions are favorable, and our off trail navigation skills are solid. 

Lodging:  The trip is basically a backpacking trip without a tent. The A-frame is rustic. It’s not insulated. There is no running water.  Water is either snow melted on the wood stove or is gathered from the creek, which can be a tricky undertaking given the snow depth, and then filtered.  There is a toilet that is also rustic.  

Sleeping accommodations are on the second floor.  There is no privacy.  You are likely to hear someone snoring so ear plugs can be handy.  

Food:   We will cook over camp stoves that we bring in.  Dinner and breakfast will be together as a group. For lunch, snacks and beverages, you bring your own.  We will meet via Zoom before the trip to plan meals, which we will simply split the cost for separately from the trip costs. 

While we already have our 10 spots reserved, take a look at the details of the facility on the recreation.gov page.

Trip limit: 10 participants, including the trip leader
Cost: $50 per person. Includes 2 nights lodging. Excludes cost of travel and meals. 
Carpool miles: 170 miles round trip from Portland. 
Trip Leader:  Mary Ellen Fitzgerald, zigzag21429@msn.com