CLOUD CAP IS THE PURE ESSENCE OF MT. HOOD GRAVEL CLIMBING PACKED INTO 20 SPECTACULAR MILES. TEN MILES UP. TEN MILES DOWN. TEN SETS OF EPIC SWITCHBACKS. SHORT, SWEET AND GNARLY. IT'S ALMOST AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

Winding through the brittle spires of Mt. Hood's rugged northeastern flank, Cloud Cap Road ascends the scarred slopes of the Gnarl Ridge burn, which tore through the area in 2008, miraculously sparing Cloud Cap Inn. Built in 1889, the historic inn is now closed to the public, having survived disasters both natural and financial, threat of demolition and neglect to stand as a uniquely preserved relic, a monument to Western spirit and ambition.

This crusher of a climb, while admittedly short on miles, delivers in iconic geography both up the mountain, to the west, and down, offering unique glimpses east over the Cascadian hump into the ochre-hued hills and valleys of Wasco County and the Deschutes region. An early wagon road improved for tourist travel by Chinese laborers at the end of the 19th century, Cloud Cap Road is a moderate grade averaging 4 to 6 percent over 10 miles up to the historic inn and popular Cloud Cap Saddle and Tilly Jane campgrounds. The surface alternates between maintained gravel and the typical Mt. Hood b-road default of hard, rutted dirt w/ chunky embedded rock.

As shown, the route starts and finishes at the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort at the base of Cloud Cap Road but can easily be configured into larger rides given its proximity to Parkdale, Cooper Spur, NF44 and Surveyor's Ridge. Expect a moderate amount of traffic in the summer and early fall due to the popularity of hiking trails surrounding Tilly Jane. It would be wise to approach the descent with a bit of caution. The water bars and rocky sections can be pretty rough, while there is enough slow-going auto traffic which may need to be passed on the way down.

Recommended tires: 33c-40c file tread, CX or MTB tires. While it is known to have been done on 28c road tires, cross bikes or sturdier gravel touring setups are going to be the best tool for the job here. Water and food are available at the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort. 

Terms of Use: As with each adventure route guide published on OMTM.CC, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. OMTM.CC, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route.