Timberline Lodge - A Timeless Treasure
Set more than a mile high on the flanks of Oregon's tallest mountain, 11,239 foot Mt. Hood, Timberline Lodge was never meant to stand out. "It was our hope not to detract from the great natural beauty of the area", explained Forest Service architect Linn Forest, "the entire exterior was made to blend as nearly as possible with the mountainside."
Not everyone thought it could be done. Build a ski lodge near the top of Oregon's tallest mountain at the brutal height of the Great Depression? But build it they did--entirely by hand, inside and out--from massive Ponderosa Pine timbers and basalt boulders they gathered onsite in the wilderness and hewn into a structure that tucks into the slopes as naturally as a stand of fir trees. "They" were unemployed craftspeople hired by the Federal Works Progress Administration. Timberline Lodge is a tribute to their skills and a monument to a government that responded to the needs of its people in a desperate time. Lauded by national publications, the Lodge is one of the country's most romantic hotels.
The initial survey was made on the site in 14 feet of snow during the spring of 1936. For three months during this spring. The conditions were extraordinarily difficult, but the workers were paid well, the food was good, and morale was high. Survivors of the project, and written records, indicate that those who participated felt that they were involved in something unusual and important, and so gave it extra best efforts. The spring of 1936 was long and mild, and the workers were able to get the building enclosed before the worst of the cold weather. Some exterior stonework remained however, and in the late fall and early winter stone masons warmed their stiffened fingers at portable stoves hauled to the site. Most of the stone workers were skilled masons, many of them Italian immigrants whose beautiful work can be seen along the old Columbia River Highway.
The work was done in an amazingly short time - the intensity of the project being due not only to the weather but also to the uncertainty of the WPA's future. From the first drawings, made in early 1936, to the dedication of the completed Lodge by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1937, only 15 months elapsed. Despite the extreme conditions, fast-paced construction and the inexperience of some of the workers, there were no major accidents during the entire period. In 1978, Timberline Lodge was declared a National Historic Landmark.
Has always been a beacon for skiers, hikers and anyone else that passes these parts. Considered an architectural wonder, it's still being used for its original intent--a magnificent ski lodge and mountain retreat for all to enjoy. Mount Hood is more than a mountain. It's a mammoth playground. An adventurer's paradise. A dream for thrill seekers and sightseers.
Eats:
You'll find one-of-a-kind dining experiences like the breakfast buffet, the hearty fireside lunch buffet ($$$) or gourmet dinner in the Cascade Dining Room or the Blue Ox Bar (pizza etc.; $$), the Ram's Head Bar ($$$) or finally there is the exclusive Winemaker's Dinner Series (pair a six-course meal with Oregon wines high above the main lodge in the rustic Silcox Hut).
Heidi -
In 2010, Timberline welcomed Heidi, the latest in a long line of Saint Bernard's who have served as official mascots for the lodge. No longer rescuing skiers and climbers high up the flanks of Mt. Hood, the friendly hounds have greeted millions of visitors and have become as much beloved as the lodge itself.
Leave the driving and guiding to My Chauffeur and you'll find yourself in the middle of it all.
Mt. Hood/Timberline Lodge itineraries.
Not everyone thought it could be done. Build a ski lodge near the top of Oregon's tallest mountain at the brutal height of the Great Depression? But build it they did--entirely by hand, inside and out--from massive Ponderosa Pine timbers and basalt boulders they gathered onsite in the wilderness and hewn into a structure that tucks into the slopes as naturally as a stand of fir trees. "They" were unemployed craftspeople hired by the Federal Works Progress Administration. Timberline Lodge is a tribute to their skills and a monument to a government that responded to the needs of its people in a desperate time. Lauded by national publications, the Lodge is one of the country's most romantic hotels.
The initial survey was made on the site in 14 feet of snow during the spring of 1936. For three months during this spring. The conditions were extraordinarily difficult, but the workers were paid well, the food was good, and morale was high. Survivors of the project, and written records, indicate that those who participated felt that they were involved in something unusual and important, and so gave it extra best efforts. The spring of 1936 was long and mild, and the workers were able to get the building enclosed before the worst of the cold weather. Some exterior stonework remained however, and in the late fall and early winter stone masons warmed their stiffened fingers at portable stoves hauled to the site. Most of the stone workers were skilled masons, many of them Italian immigrants whose beautiful work can be seen along the old Columbia River Highway.
The work was done in an amazingly short time - the intensity of the project being due not only to the weather but also to the uncertainty of the WPA's future. From the first drawings, made in early 1936, to the dedication of the completed Lodge by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1937, only 15 months elapsed. Despite the extreme conditions, fast-paced construction and the inexperience of some of the workers, there were no major accidents during the entire period. In 1978, Timberline Lodge was declared a National Historic Landmark.
Has always been a beacon for skiers, hikers and anyone else that passes these parts. Considered an architectural wonder, it's still being used for its original intent--a magnificent ski lodge and mountain retreat for all to enjoy. Mount Hood is more than a mountain. It's a mammoth playground. An adventurer's paradise. A dream for thrill seekers and sightseers.
Eats:
You'll find one-of-a-kind dining experiences like the breakfast buffet, the hearty fireside lunch buffet ($$$) or gourmet dinner in the Cascade Dining Room or the Blue Ox Bar (pizza etc.; $$), the Ram's Head Bar ($$$) or finally there is the exclusive Winemaker's Dinner Series (pair a six-course meal with Oregon wines high above the main lodge in the rustic Silcox Hut).
Heidi -
In 2010, Timberline welcomed Heidi, the latest in a long line of Saint Bernard's who have served as official mascots for the lodge. No longer rescuing skiers and climbers high up the flanks of Mt. Hood, the friendly hounds have greeted millions of visitors and have become as much beloved as the lodge itself.
Leave the driving and guiding to My Chauffeur and you'll find yourself in the middle of it all.
Mt. Hood/Timberline Lodge itineraries.
