Welcome to Cloud Cap!

We are thrilled to host the Cloud Cap mountain runs on Mt. Hood’s wild and historic northern slopes! These “all-terrain” courses include mountain marathon and half marathon loop courses on trails and primitive forest roads through the Cloud Cap-Tilly Jane Historic District.

Staged at the charming and quaint Cooper Spur Ski Area, both courses showcases many of the mountain’s most iconic and historic sites. Exquisite views abound of the volcano’s ever-present summit, flanked by Cooper Spur and Polallie Canyon to the south, the Langille Crags and Eliot Canyon to the north and of course the massive icefalls of Mt. Hood’s largest glacier, the mighty Eliot, making this a truly awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind mountain race experience!

Background

The north side of Mt. Hood is known as its backcountry side, featuring the largest glaciers, deepest canyons and the oldest continuous recreation area on the mountain, the Cloud Cap-Tilly Jane Historic District. The Historic District provides a surprisingly pristine mountain experience complete with several historic structures, trails and primitive roads on Mt. Hood—most notably the Cloud Cap Inn, the oldest alpine lodge in the United States, built in 1889. Numerous other sites include Cooper’s Tent campsite, Civilian Conservation Corps (“CCC”) camp, Tilly Jane Guard Station, the American Legion camp and amphitheater, and the Tilly Jane Ski Warming Hut.

Much of the area is also in rapid recovery from the 2008 Gnarl Ridge Fire, offering wide open views of not just Mt. Hood, but the vibrant orchards of the Hood River Valley, eastern Columbia Gorge, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier to the north and the sprawling high desert of Central Oregon to the east.

Registration

Registration fee prices do not include any applicable taxes, Ultrasignup processing fees or race swag such as t-shirts.

Laughs, smiles, hugs and high fives are free. The registration fee includes a beautiful, fully marked race course (by the Race Director), cool staging venue, parking, chip timing, live results, full service aid stations, medical support and communications, post race food and beverages, custom finisher awards, professional photography and several other essential services and requirements we don't need to mention. 

The registration fee does not include a race shirt, hat or other add-on sales. Please review the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy if you have questions about withdrawing from the race. 

Pro/Elite Runners

We reserve a limited number of entries for professional athletes. Email us if you earn all or some of your living racing on trails and have a competitive resumé.

Presenting Sponsor

Event Sponsors

Getting Here

The event is staged at Cooper Spur Ski Area on the northeast side of Mt. Hood, approximately 90 minutes east of Portland, 35 minutes south of Hood River or 30 minutes northeast of Government Camp, Oregon. The nearest major airport is Portland Int’l Airport (PDX).

Location

Cooper Spur Ski Area is located at 11000 Cloud Cap Rd, Mt Hood, OR 97041, off of Hwy 35.

• Google Map location of Cooper Spur Ski Area.

Parking

All event parking is at Cooper Spur Ski Area. There is sufficient event parking available, but please carpool if possible. Head-in or back-in parking only—no parallel parking! A site map will be provided in pre-race email communications to all participants.

Lodging

CAMPING: There are US Forest Service campgrounds in the area.

HOTELS: The closest hotel options are in Hood River, a 35 minute drive north of the Start/Finish, or in Government Camp, about 30 minutes south.

Race Day!

Bib Pickup

Race day check-in is REQUIRED of all runners. Runners pick up their race bibs and swag inside the lodge at Cooper Spur Ski Area before their race from 6:45AM up until 10 minutes prior to their race start time (8AM for Marathon, 9AM for Half Marathon).

Weather

Check the latest local weather here.

NOTICE: Snow and icy conditions are uncommon but not out of the question here in late September. We will NOT cancel or postpone the race due to snow or icy conditions, unless severe storm conditions are indicated in the National Weather Service forecast. Traction devices for your shoes (such as micro spikes) may be necessary if we are dealt an early season batch of snow on race day.

Post Race Celebration

Stay and enjoy the fun finish line vibes while we cheer on all the race finishers! A post race meal and beverages are available for all participants and volunteers at the finish line area. Family and friends are welcome to purchase food and drinks. 

Awards

Every participant receives a sweet custom award as they finish their race. A raffle of some awesome sponsor swag will be held while runners are out on the course! Prizes will be given to raffle winners as they finish their race.

General Info

Volunteers

We need volunteers to help support the runners. Once registration opens for runners, volunteer tasks will be available via Ultrasignup as well. Thank you!

Beneficiary

The event’s non-profit beneficiary is the Crag Rats, America’s oldest Search and Rescue organization, formed in 1926. The Crag Rats is an all volunteer, non-profit organization based out of Hood River, Oregon, covering Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge. They are a charter and current member of the Mountain Rescue Association, America’s national organization overseeing mountain rescue techniques and certification.

Pet/Dog Policy

Friendly, leashed and physically-capable dogs are welcome to run the race with their responsible owners. Dogs are also welcome at Cooper Spur staging area, but not inside the lodge.

Social Media

Updates, photos and other race-related info will be posted on the Daybreak Racing Instagram page.

Race Swag

Our race t-shirts and hats are from Territory Run Co., based in Portland, Oregon! The shirts are super cozy and casual with the race logo on the front. Race hats are made of soft and light moisture-wicking materials with the race logo.

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is granted by a Special Use Permit through the Mt. Hood National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.