This meadow of fine-tooth penstemon(Penstemon subserratus) is located just below the parking lot at Cloud Cap Inn. Cloud Cap is located near timberline at the 6000 foot elevation on the north slope of Mt. Hood. Fine-tooth penstemon blooms at this altitude in late July.
Cloud Cap Inn was built as a resort in 1889 and operated with mixed success until the Depression era. Cloud Cap Inn is no longer open to the public and does not offer accomodations. It was rescued from oblivion by the Crag Rats of Hood River, Americaa's oldest mountain rescue organization. Cloud Cap Inn is reached via the scenic Hood River Valley and the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort.
Cooper Spur was recently acquired by the organization that operates Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort. Their expansion plans will have a significant impact on the Cooper Spur area, up to and including Cloud Cap and the Tilly Jane area.
