Cooper Spur 2/2/13

[arundodonax]

A nice sunny day on the mountain. The snow was pretty firm from the use up to Tilly Jane, mush from Tilly to the shelter, and then solid ice past the shelter. Took a few wrong turns on the way up and down, but they ended up being helpful because they put me in an icy river basin that was easy to climb up on. Went up to about the 7200' mark—a sheet of ice, no wind, super warm, dead quiet, and a three volcano view—a bit of a surreal experience.

























10.0 miles, 4000' gained

[Bosterson]

Very nice, Chris!

[Peder]

Very nice indeed! I hope to go up there sometime this spring. I still need to figure out where to park and the other small logistics. What superb views!

[anne37]

Great pictures! I've been toying with the idea of going up there on the next nice day, but I've just discovered xc skiing and keep putting off my hiking. Do you think a combination of snowshoes/ microspikes would be sufficient, or were you into crampon territory?

[arundodonax]

For me it was micro spikes to snowshoes back to spikes. Of course you could just do snowshoes, but that was faster.

[romann]

That looks awesome, Chris! Did you start at Cloud Cup TH, and was any special permit needed to park there (besides snow pass)?

[Splintercat]

Nice! Amazing how differently it looked from 6,000 feet vs. down in the Hood River Valley (where I was on the Oak Ridge Trail). Gotta love (or hate) those inversions..!

Thanks for posting!

Tom

[Limey]

Great pics, #3 made me think of a giant turtle head as he emerges from a hole.







Marilyn

[Get Out Backpacking]

Great shots!

[Guy]

Chris, can you or someone else who reads this shed some light on where you park & begin this hike. I've never been to that area in the wintertime.

Do you park at the Cooper Spur Winter Sports Area then follow either the 643 or the 643A?

Thanks.