Spruce Trail

Spruce Trail is a short, out-and-back cross-country ski route in Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest, within the Hood River Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail sits at about 4,250 feet, with a high point of 4,264 feet and a low of 4,138 feet. The climb is rated hard, and the route is about 0.76 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 202 feet. The trail is a short, steep stretch. The steepest part comes at about 0.31 miles, with a grade of about 5 percent. The route is best suited to skiers who want a quick, technical outing rather than a long day on the snow. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Government Camp weather station show July and August highs around 70°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the mid-30s and rain on most days. Several other ski routes lie close by. Upper Mountain View Extension is about 0.1 mile away, and Mountain View Trail is about 0.2 mile away. For an overnight stay, Badger Lake and Alpine Campground are both about 3.6 miles off.