The Columbia Gorge Chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club (cgc–onc) began operating the Tilly Jane Guard Station (TJGS) under a United States Forest Service volunteer permit in the early 1980s. Currently the CGC-ONC operates the TJGS pursuant to a Granger-Thye Lease. This Operating Plan supplements the Lease.

Services the CGC-ONC Provides to the Public:

Based upon the reservation system detailed below, the CGC-ONC provides use of the original Guard Station, located in the Tilly Jane Campground, to interested parties, primarily snow sports enthusiasts. The cabin provides a rustic mountain experience miles away from paved roads and electric lights. Access is obtained by skiing, snowshoeing or hiking up the Tilly Jane Trail or the Cloud Cap Road from the Cooper Spur Ski Area. Cabin visitors will find a two room cabin with a loft, a wood stove in the kitchen for heat, a fire place in the main room, a propane stove and oven for food preparation, propane lights in the living areas and an attached wood shed and outhouse. Paper plates, paper towels and toilet paper are provided. The kitchen is stocked with cooking pots and utensils. Lockers, which can be used to keep food safe from mice, are provided. The wood room is stocked full of wood at the beginning of every season and the propane is filled at least every other year. There is no potable water provided. Water from a nearby stream may be carried to the cabin and treated or water may be obtained by melting snow. The cabin houses 6 to 8 persons comfortably. Although the CGC-ONC also maintains the garage located next to the Cabin, the garage is used for storage and is not available to the public.

The CGC-ONC is an all volunteer, non-profit organization. As time allows, CGC-ONC volunteers may visit the cabin during the rental season, between visitors, to make sure the cabin is being used and maintained appropriately. However CGC-ONC generally relies upon reports from cabin visitors to learn about any on-going maintenance needs or problems that arise during the rental season. Each fall the CGC-ONC cleans the cabin, stocks the wood, restocks paper products, removes any garbage that has inadvertently accumulated during the season, makes repairs and does maintenance in accordance with the work plan and as needed.

Operating Days and Season

The cabin is made available to the public between December 1 and May 31. The season may be extended to June 30, depending upon snow conditions. Any decision to extend the season through June will be made with as much notice as possible and in accordance with Reserve America requirements. The cabin is not available to the public during the four weekends each year it is reserved for use by the CGC-ONC.

The cabin is available on weekends only, from Friday to Sunday. The cabin occupancy is limited to 8 persons.

Reservations

Reservations to use the cabin must be made through Reserve America. The rental amount charged by Reserve America includes their fee and provides CGC-ONC with $225.00 per weekend. Upon successful completion of their reservations, CGC-ONC will provide the trip leader with the combination to the lock, allowing access to the cabin.

Visitor Responsibilities

CGC-ONC asks visitors to leave the cabin in as good or better condition than they found it when they arrived. Visitors are asked to leave kindling cut for the next visitor. CGC-ONC provides cabin instructions to each visitor by emailing the instructions to the trip leader and by posting them on the web page.[is this the Reserve America web page or the ONC web page?] Cabin instructions are also posted at the cabin. The instructions emphasize the importance of turning off the propane and properly inserting the wooden snow barriers into the window frames before the visitors leave.

Emergency Procedures – Safety and Environmental Protections

Fire Equipment: The CGC-ONC has installed and maintains carbon monoxide detectors on the premises. A fire extinguisher is located under the steps and is tested each year.

Evacuation Plan – First floor exits are inaccessible many winters due to snow depth, so if snow is deep, the only entrance and exit from the cabin is through the second floor loft snow door.

Fire Hazard Mitigation: The CGC-ONC cooperates with the USFS in the removal of hazard trees near the cabin. The CGC-ONC has concerns about the hazards of fire, particularly during light snow years, because of the distance from fire fighting apparatus and ready fuel in the surrounding forest. The CGC-ONC works to identify fire hazards, such as new fire rings or pits and calls them to the attention of the USFS.

Emergency contact number is 911, however emergency response is limited.

Cell phone service at the cabin is unreliable. Cell phone service may be available in the Tilly Jane Camp Ground parking lot which is located north and east of the cabin. Visitors are advised to test their communication devices before there is needed for emergency connection. Visitors must have self rescue skills in the event of emergency needs. Each trip leader will receive the emergency contact information with their cabin information.

Emergency Responder Access: Cabin users are advised that the cabin is located 9 miles from a plowed road, behind a locked gate, and is inaccessible to fire trucks or ambulances. Any rescue or emergency responders will need to be dispatched by the Hood River County Sheriff’s office IF contact with them can be made through 911. It is advisable to know the location of the three other cabins located in the area (Tilly Jane A-Frame, Cloud Cap Inn, and Snow Shoe Club) as any of those cabins may be occupied and able to provide assistance; but visitors should not rely on assistance being available nearby.

Cabin repairs or concerns: Visitors are asked to call Skip Tschanz or the next person on the list below until personal contact is made and the information has been transferred;

Contacts:
For Emergencies: Dial 911 (if you have cell coverage)
About Cabin Concerns:
Skip Tschanz home: 541-296-9794
Kevin McGillivray cell: 541-490-5368
Pedro Tai cell: 971-678-5027