Cloud Cap
Half Marathon
September 20, 2025
Half Marathon
The Cloud Cap Half Marathon is a crazy scenic loop course on a variety of gorgeous trails and rugged, historic forest roads showcasing some of Mt. Hood’s most iconic areas, and is basically the first half of the double loop Mountain Marathon course.
From Cooper Spur Ski Area at 3950’ elevation, runners will travel up to 6000’ through the Cloud Cap—Tilly Jane Historic Area, mainly using the Tilly Jane Ski Trail, Cloud Cap Road and Polallie Ridge Trail.
The half marathon course is 13.3 miles long, with 2400 ft. of ascent and 2400 ft. of descent. In all, the course includes approximately 4.5 miles of singletrack trail, 3 miles of maintained gravel forest roads (lower Cloud Cap Road) and 5.5 miles of rough, rugged jeep road (upper Cloud Cap Road). There are 2 staffed aid stations along the course.
Throughout the course, runners will pass by numerous historic Mt. Hood landmarks. These include the famous Cloud Cap Inn, Tilly Jane A-Frame and several other historic structures, land unrivaled views courtesy of the 2008 Gnarl Ridge Fire.
Race Day Schedule
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Check-In: 6:45-8:50AM at Cooper Spur Ski Area
Start Time: 9:00AM
Cutoff: 4:00PM at the Finish Line (7 hours to finish)
Course Map
INTERACTIVE MAP: Click HERE to open the course map in CalTopo, where you can change layers, zoom in and out, export a .gpx file, etc.
GPX DATA: Click HERE for the .gpx data file which includes elevation data.
Elevation Change
The course involves 2400’ of ascent and 2400’ of descent.
Aid Stations
Two aid stations are staffed with enthusiastic volunteers offering tasty fuel: Neversecond energy gels and hydration drink, water, soda, bananas, oranges, chips, PB&J sandwiches, and more.
All Daybreak races are CUPLESS, so be sure to bring your own cup for liquid at aid stations.
| Aid Station | Total Miles | Segment (mi) | Bathroom | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start - Cooper Spur Ski Area | 0 | 4.5 | Yes | -- |
| #1 - Inspiration Point | 4.5 | 5.6 | No | -- |
| #2 - Cloud Cap Inn | 10.1 | 3.2 | Yes | -- |
| Finish - Cooper Spur Ski Area | 13.3 | -- | Yes | 4:00PM |
The historic Cloud Cap Inn, the oldest structure on Mt. Hood. Completed in 1889.
Equipment & Gear
Gear: Please come prepared for a run in a mountainous environment and bring your desired personal needs in order to stay safe and comfortable, including:
At least 12-20oz. of hydration
Jacket, hat, gloves if wet weather predicted
Trekking poles are allowed, although the course is not technical or steep. Poles must be carried the entire length of the route (or dropped in your drop bag at Aid Station 3).
Headphones are NOT allowed, due to the use of Cloud Cap Road, which is open to vehicle traffic during the event.
Traction devices (such as microspikes) may be necessary if we are dealt an early season batch of snow on race day. Snow and icy conditions are uncommon, but not out of the question here in late September, above 5000 feet in particular. 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. An email will be sent to notify participants of any potential winter weather impacts.
A lone Ponderosa Pine stands tall along Tilly Jane Ski Trail - a survivor of the 2008 Gnarl Ridge Fire.
Course Detail
Start to Aid Station 1 (Inspiration Point): Runners depart Cooper Spur Ski Area on a rocky service road for a quarter mile up to Polallie Ridge Trail. Following Polallie Ridge Trail briefly to the intersection with Tilly Jane Ski Trail, turn hard right and head down Tilly Jane Ski Trail for .75 mile to its trailhead on Cloud Cap Road. Runners then veer left and head up the historic Cloud Cap Road for 3 miles to Aid Station 1 at Inspiration Point, offering a magnificent view up the Eliot Creek canyon, with massive views of Wallalute Falls and the Eliot Glacier looming above.
Aid Station 1 (Inspiration Point) to Aid Station 2 (Cloud Cap Inn): Runners depart Inspiration Point on the Cloud Cap Road for a long, scenic, switchbacking climb for 5 miles offering sweeping views of the surrounding Cascade peaks, the Hood River Valley and of course ever-present Mt. Hood. Runners reach the top of the course at 6000’ elevation in front of the historic Cloud Cap Inn for Aid Station 2.
Aid Station 2 (Cloud Cap Inn) to Finish (Cooper Spur Ski Area): Departing Cloud Cap Inn aid station, runners join onto the Tilly Jane Trail, passing several historic structures and Tilly Jane Creek before reaching the junction with Tilly Jane Ski Trail and a ripping 3 mile descent with wide open views to the east far into Central Oregon and north into the Washington Cascades and Mt. Adams. After 2 miles of the descent, runners reach the same junction with Polallie Ridge Trail as earlier in the course, veer right onto Polallie Ridge Trail for a brief section, connecting to the service road down to Cooper Spur Ski Area for the finish with cheering friends and family!
Crew
The event does not allow crew on course or at the aid stations. Spectators are welcome at the Start/Finish area at Cooper Spur Ski Area only. Crew may not travel up the Cloud Cap Road during the race, as there is plenty of aid station support along the course and we do not want vehicle traffic congesting the road and stirring up dust for the runners.
Cancellations
See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.
This event is located on the Mt. Hood National Forest. 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.