Crag Rats Centennial

Beargrass Music Festival

At Tilly Jane

“Where bluegrass meets beargrass”

Celebrating 100 Years of Mountain Rescue on Mt. Hood

The Hood River Crag Rats launched in 1926 to formalize a band of Hood River Valley mountain enthusiasts who’d already been called on for multiple rescues on the flanks of Mt. Hood. In so doing, we became the first dedicated mountain rescue organization in the nation—and one of the first in the world. In 2026 we’re celebrating our legacy with various parties, the most fun of which will be a bluegrass and Americana music festival in the amphitheater at Tilly Jane on August 15, 2026. Hike up and join us!

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Where Bluegrass Meets Beargrass

A century ago the American Legion built an amphitheater next to the Tilly Jane Campsite. Among multiple decades’ worth of events held here were musical performances ahead of the annual mass ascents of the Cooper Spur Route on Mt. Hood (near the left skyline in this photo), guided by Crag Rats. For our centennial celebration, 21st century Rats have invited several local bands to perform here from noon to 8 pm on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

This fundraising event will raise money for restoration work on the Cooper Spur stone shelter, above timberline at 6,800 feet. Any additional money raised will be donated to restoration work on the nearby Cloud Cap Inn, which is maintained by the Crag Rats.

 

Hike Up, Don’t Be a Dusty Driver!

Attendance will be strictly limited to 300 people and we’re hoping the great majority of you make the two-hour hike up the stunningly beautiful Tilly Jane Trail or its equally beautiful and less popular sister, the Pollalie Trail (and hike back down also, of course). There will be entertainment en-route and raffles just for hikers. But we do offer van transportation at a higher price to those who can’t do the hike.

Meet the Bands

  • Never Come Down

    Weaving together modern and traditional styles of American music, Never Come Down is a Portland, Oregon based band composed of Joe Suskind (guitar), Crystal Lariza (vocals), Lillian Sawyer (fiddle), and Kaden Hurst (mandolin). Their dedication to thoughtful songwriting and dynamic arrangements highlight polished technical skills and a commitment to listening to each other.

    https://nevercomedownband.com/

  • Dadweed

    Dadweed is an acoustic trio based out of Portland, OR. Reimagining pickin' and thumpin' by blending elements of jazz/folk/pop/R&B within a traditional bluegrass lens, their sets explore a wide variety of styles and dynamics – with a focus on improvisation – showcasing both covers and originals. Dadweed strives to redefine what's possible in bluegrass.

    https://dadweedpdx.com/

  • Chicken $#!t Gamblers

    The Chicken $#!t Gamblers have been honing their harmonies and melting bluegrass pickin’, rhythmic jams, pop culture inspired bluegrass medleys and smooth 3 part vocal harmonies since 2017. The group has locked into a steady rhythm of performing rowdy and explosive shows around the pacific northwest.

    https://chickenshitgamblers.wordpress.com/

  • Antonyms

    Antonyms started playing in Hood River in 2015. Their current iteration, featuring Doug Stepina, Tim Decker, Dustin Nilsen, and Joe Siliman, began playing shows in 2021. The band has a bit of a jam band flair that influenced by “Cosmic country,” a genre influenced by the ‘60s psychedelic movement and American roots.

    https://www.facebook.com/antonymsmusic/

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More Info

  • We ask that you not drive your own car up the Cloud Cap Road on the Saturday of the music festival. It’s a rough, dusty road that could use a break—besides, it would be awfully crowded with so many cars.

  • The Lost Lake Resort (which maintains the Tilly Jane Campground) has generously donated all the paid sites to the Beargrass Music Festival. We have also cleared debris from the entire area so you can “wild” camp wherever you find a spot. If you’re camping, you’re welcome to drive up on Friday, but we ask that you please not drive on Saturday.

  • Mt Hood Meadows Resort (owner of Cooper Spur Ski Area) is providing its parking lot for the festival on Saturday. The ski lodge will be open for breakfast before you hike up.

  • You can give your gear (tents, packs, whatever) a lift in the back of our pickup trucks, which will depart the Cooper Spur parking lot at times to be announced.

  • In addition to the Forest Service toilet, there will be multiple portapotties and handwashing stations.

  • There will be a stand-up “beer garden” with great views over the amphitheater and all the music. There will also be food trucks to buy lunch and dinner from.

  • We will indeed offer refunds but haven’t worked out the details yet about timing. As to cancellation of the event, the only reason we can imagine would be i case of forest fires. We’ll have a policy for that, coming soon.

  • The trail from the Cooper Spur resort parking lot to the amphitheater at Tilly Jane is very well marked and maintained. We’ll also provide maps and supportive materials.