A Weekend at Timberline Lodge

Hi, friends! Back in March, my husband took me on a romantic getaway to Timberline Lodge for my birthday. This historic lodge is nestled among the evergreens on Mount Hood, about 1.5 hours east of Portland, Oregon. We've never stayed overnight together in the lodge, nor have we been to Mount Hood together in the winter.

My Dad took me on an overnight winter trip to the lodge several years ago, and it's one of my fondest memories with him. So I'm glad that I got to share this experience with my husband as well! We spent a weekend at Timberline Lodge skiing, soaking in the hot tub, playing in the snow and enjoying the majestic views. Let me share some tips with you if you're planning your own trip here someday!

The Setting of Mount Hood

During the last half hour of your drive on Highway 26 to Timberline Lodge, you'll be fully immersed in the teeming beauty of Mt Hood National Forest. If you go in the winter, the trees are all covered in at least a few inches (if not a full foot) of snow on their branches. It looks like you're driving through Whoville from The Grinch! And if you're driving up to the lodge during the summer, the scenery is no less magical. The forest hums with the energy of all the wildlife that call this forest home.

Pro Tip

If you are driving up to Timberline Lodge when there's snow, usually between December and April, I recommend driving a reliable four-wheel-drive vehicle. Overnight the parking lot and our car got covered in a thick layer of ice. Cars were drifting and sliding, and I was grateful that we rented a four-wheel-drive SUV for safety.

Pro Tip

Timberline Lodge sits at 6,000 feet elevation, so dress accordingly! In the winter, it stays well below freezing. I recommend packing lots of layers along with gloves, hats, scarves, thick (ideally wool) socks and warm water-proof shoes like snow boots. If you go in the summer, you'll likely find yourself comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt during the day, but the temperature can still drop at night. So if you're spending a weekend at Timberline Lodge, pack a few extra layers, regardless of the season.

view of timberline lodge from the parking lot — This photo is NOT from our weekend getaway, which is why the parking lot isn't covered in snow :p

View looking up at Mount Hood from the lodge

Snow and ice-covered evergreen trees on the mountain

The bunny slope ski lift - leading into the snowy abyss

View from the magical forest road driving up to Timberline Lodge

Inside Timberline Lodge

We learned a lot about the history of this national historic landmark by spending a weekend at Timberline Lodge. It was built in 1937 and locals have been trying to maintain and preserve its original beauty for decades. There are three main themes throughout the building that you'll notice - Native American design, pioneer-style design, and flora and wildlife that are native to Mount Hood. The lodge is filled with beautiful pieces of textiles, metalwork, paintings and woodwork all crafted by hand that invoke these themes. You may even see a real life animal in the lodge - the resident Saint Bernard dogs!

Craftsmanship in the Lodge

The detailed craftsmanship throughout the lodge in the textiles, wood and steel is inspiring. During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created programs that funded projects like the construction of Timberline Lodge to create jobs for people. You can read all about the lodge's rich history here. Or take a drive up to the lodge and read all about it in person! The lodge is like a living museum. Walking up its creaky yet sturdy wood-plank stairs brings history to life. You can almost hear the clank of the metalworkers forging the metal fireplace pieces from refurbished railroad tracks. It's a sight truly to behold and a masterpiece of preserved history and handcrafted artwork.

Pro Tip

Take some time during your visit to explore and read all about the lodge's history and active sustainability efforts in the museum section, off the main lobby.

View of the lobby as you enter Timberline Lodge

original woodwork in timberline lodge — Much of the original woodwork has been preserved in the lodge

The fireplace inside Timberline Lodge made from refurbished railroad tracks — The fireplace metal work is made from refurbished railroad tracks

An example of how the original textiles were crafted at Timberline Lodge — An example of how the original textiles were crafted

An exhibit in the lobby showcasing the type of room President Roosevelt would have stayed in when he visited in 1937

A bear head carved into the metalwork of a door gate

Intricate woodwork carved into the old wooden mailbox

Incoming post office boxes by lobby in Timberline Lodge — Incoming post office boxes - they look like they're still in use!

thick plank stairs inside Timberline Lodge — Look at how thick the stairs are!

a sign showing elevations of timberline lodge and Mt Hood — In case you were wondering how far it'd be from the lodge to the summit of Mount Hood...

Animal hand-carved into the stairway newel posts, made from recycled telephone poles — Animals were hand-carved into the stairway newel posts, made from recycled telephone poles

Ram's head carved into a wood counter inside timberline lodge — Although the ram isn't native to Mount Hood, the ram's head is a recurring theme found in the lodge

The front entrance door, exemplifying the beauty of Native American design incorporated into the lodge

Inside the Lodge's Rooms

Timberline lodge is home to 70 guest rooms, of a variety of types. There are small rooms with bunk beds and a sink that share bathroom facilities with other rooms down the hall. Then there are rooms with private (albeit small) bathrooms attached to them. There are suites with huge rooms and a personal fireplace. And finally, there are rooms that can accommodate a huge family or party that can sleep up to 15 people! So whoever you're traveling to the lodge with, there's a room that probably fits your needs.

Why Stay Overnight in the Lodge

The rooms themselves seamlessly continue the incredible woodwork, metalwork and textiles. It's like stepping back in time one hundred years. The memories made within these walls are almost palpable. And one of the best parts about spending a weekend at Timberline Lodge is at night, when all the day guests leave. You snag the perfect spot in front of one of the many grand fireplaces and read yourself to sleep. All the hustle and bustle of the day quiets as the stillness of night is interrupted only by the crackle of the cozy fire.

Pro Tip

You don't have to stay overnight in the lodge to book an early-morning ski lesson. But it sure does help to take a leisurely time in the morning to wake up and fuel yourself with a hot breakfast before hitting the slopes! There are other hotels nearby off the mountain where you can get an early start on your skiing for a cheaper price on accommodations.

Timberline lodge room doo with real metal latches — The doors come with real metal keys - no flimsy key cards here!

twin beds inside a timberline lodge room — Each room has its own theme in the textiles and artwork

Most of the room's furnishings are crafted with natural materials

The bathroom inside a timberline lodge room — The bathroom is so adorable and comes with all the standard amenities like soap, shampoo and conditioner

The door to the coat closet that houses old-style bug screens has a beautiful door latch — Even the door to the coat closet that houses old-style bug screens has a beautiful door latch

Peeking out the window the check on the snow conditions

A "do not disturb" doorknob tags made out of wood — Even the "do not disturb" doorknob tags were made out of wood instead of plastic

Dining at Timberline Lodge

Ah finally, let's get to the good stuff - the food! For breakfast to fuel ourselves for our ski lesson, we dined at the Cascade Dining Room. They have an exquisite breakfast buffet, and you don't need to be an overnight guest to dine here. Other dining options include the Ram's Head Bar and Restaurant, which opens at 2pm daily. If you're looking for a quick and cheaper dining option, the Wy'East Cafe is a great choice, located closer to the ski rental building.

breakfast platter with toast, salmon and eggs on a wood table

There you have it! We thoroughly enjoyed our getaway weekend at Timberline Lodge and I can't wait to explore more national landmarks around the country! Does your state or country house any inspiring historic landmarks like this lodge? Are you planning a trip to Timberline Lodge? Let me know!!

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Comments

Yum-number1

May 31, 2022 at 9:01 am

Sound like the perfect trim for couple, families, or anyone looking to make lasting memories

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- Humbly Homemade
  
  May 31, 2022 at 9:05 am
  
  Absolutely, it's such a wonderful time there, whether you go for the day or spend the night. ðŸ˜Š
  
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Jim

May 28, 2022 at 12:45 pm

Some of my fondest memories have been staying the evening at Timberine Lodge. Swimming pool, hot tub, sauna than a nap by the fireplace. Best day ever!

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- Humbly Homemade
  
  May 31, 2022 at 8:57 am
  
  Mine too! And then waking up with the window covered in snow and heading down to the breakfast buffet. ðŸ˜‰ðŸ’–
  
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