The re-roofing of Cloud Cap Inn, July 2023. The historic building was recently awarded a Save America’s Treasures (SAT) Grant for continued restoration projects.
The re-roofing of Cloud Cap Inn, July 2023. The historic building was recently awarded a Save America’s Treasures (SAT) Grant for continued restoration projects.
MOUNT HOOD — Earlier this month, the National Park Service (NPS) awarded the Hood River Crag Rats a Save America’s Treasures (SAT) Grant for restoration of the windows, shutters, decks and chimneys at the historic Cloud Cap Inn.
The Inn, located at 6,000 feet on north side of Mount Hood, opened as a hotel in 1889. It sits at the end of a rugged, nine mile long, dirt and rock road that is open to vehicular travel for about four months of the year. The rest of the year, Cloud Cap is only accessible by foot, such as on skis, or by snow vehicle, like a snowmobile.
Since 1955, the Crag Rats have maintained and preserved Cloud Cap under a special use permit with the United States Forest Service (USFS). In exchange for their stewardship, the Crag Rats are allowed to use Cloud Cap as a SAR (Search and Rescue) and training base.
The SAT Grant is matching money of up to $115,000, which means the work will be funded in part by the SAT grant program through the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the NPS and the Department of the Interior.
“For every two dollars we spend on approved projects, we will be reimbursed one dollar,” said Crag Rat Paul Crowley, who chairs the organization’s Cloud Cap Committee. “In 2023, we completely reroofed Cloud Cap. We raised more than $220,000 for that project from member contributions, public donations and grants. This is an extension of that restoration project,” he added.
Formed in 1926, the Crag Rats are the oldest mountain search and rescue organization in North America. “This is quite timely. We’ll celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2026. It’ll be nice to have Cloud Cap in good shape,” said Crag Rat Secretary/Pip Squeak, John Rust. He is heading the group’s centennial celebration committee.
“We’re quite honored to preserve and be allowed to use Cloud Cap. There have been many significant SAR missions based out of Cloud Cap over the years. It’s truly helpful to have it available as a training base for our primary mission: SAR work,” said Crag Rat President/Big Squeak John Harlin. This year the Crag Rats have already been involved in more than 30 SAR missions.
The Crag Rats were assisted in applying for the SAT grant by Sen. Jeff Merkley, the Hood River County Board of Commissioners, the Hood River Sheriff’s Office and Portland Mountain Rescue.
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