Mt Hood, with Timberline Lodge

I'm a big fan of the old lodges in national parks (if multiple stops in Glacier and other places haven't clued you into that already). A couple of weekends ago Sister and J suggested we go hiking at Mt Hood, which of course I agreed to! Unfortunately, weather and a sea-level acclimated fur nephew conspired to cut our hike short. That didn't keep us from taking a pleasant stroll above the treeline and checking out the beautiful lodge.

Canadian, Oregonian, American, Washintonian, Swiss, German... and Swedish? 

Timberline lodge is truly right at the treeline on Mt Hood. The ski hill we hiked was bare, basaltic rubble with patches of scrubby brush. We walked up what I'm guessing were the green runs until the pupper's panting and pathetic glances at our tough plastic footwear convinced us to call it quits. The lodge and parking lot are already at about 6,000' elevation, so we were all feeling it a little as we hiked uphill!

Looking down the "Otto Lang" ski run, east into the forest fire smoke

"I'm tired. you carry me?"

 One of the cool structures we hiked past was the Silcox Hut, a ski shelter in the winter. It can be booked by groups of 12-24, with cool bunkhouse rooms and an upstairs dining hall. There is a virtual tour of it on on the lodge website. To get there, you either take a ride in a Snow Bully up the mountain, or ski in! Check out the tunnel on the right that lets you in when the snow is deep!

 Back at the bottom, we went and checked out Timberline Lodge. From the massive stone foundation to the timber framing around the towering fireplace, the place was amazing. It was started in 1936 and completed in 1937, a WPA project that was dedicated by Franklin D Roosevelt himself. Today it is on the National Historical Register, 

 I was doubtful when, after admiring the massive strap hinges on the front door, Sister said that everything was hand forged. Sure enough, on the entry level there was a display of the work done by local artisans; smithing, weaving, and woodworking were evident everywhere. Mountain creatures were carved into the stairs, and the massive roof beams were supported by knee braced tenon joints. A nod was given to the lodge's purpose in the boot scrapers on display, which had skiers etched into the face!

 The lingering forest fires clouded our view, and the dry summer meant that the sparse Vegetation there above the treeline was withered on the gray walks the day of our visit. Nonethelsess, the mountain was beautiful and the lodge ever welcoming! I look forward to visiting Timberline Lodge again in the winter and seeing it with with a blanket of snow on the brown dirt.