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Take in Historic Timberline
Wandering the halls, looking at the displays of how Timberline Lodge was built incorporating the handiwork of area residents during the Great Depression, and stopping to rest in the lobby to gaze up at the massive stone fireplaces are things you’ll want to do on the most important stop on the Mt. Hood scenic loop. Timberline was built, in part, using workers and funding from two important Depression-era social programs—the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Relax around the massive fireplace at Timberline. Photo by: Elizabeth R Rose
Opened in 1938 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, Timberline Lodge is recognized by many as one of the best examples of “Parkitect” Gilbert Stanley Underwood’s rustic National Park lodges. Underwood also designed Bryce Canyon Lodge, Zion Lodge, and Yosemite’s Ahwahnee Lodge. The style incorporates massive elements such as logs and large river rocks, all sourced locally.
Note: The areas around Mt. Hood make up the Mt. Hood National Forest. Although it was favored to gain national park status in the 1940s, that never happened. So, although Mt. Hood is not a national park, Timberline Lodge is an excellent example of Underwood’s design in many National Park lodges across the country.
Catch the Details of Timberline Lodge
I urge visitors to walk through the lodge slowly and look for small elements such as animals carved into the posts of stair banisters and ram’s heads forged into wrought ironwork. Even the furniture, made from heavy local wood, is part of the “lodge look.” As additional architects and artisans worked on plans for the lodge, the lodge took on a more refined look with touches from the city below, Portland. The style is now called “Cascadian,” named after the mountain chain, but, to me, Timberline Lodge retains the rustic look originally proposed by Underwood, which draws me to it.
Timberline Lodge is one of the grand lodges of the Pacific Northwest. Photo by: Elizabeth R Rose
The interior décor includes hand-woven curtains, stained glass work (peek into the Blue Ox Bar), massive mosaics, wood carving incorporating Native American and pioneer themes, and the ever-present wrought ironwork. It’s like a museum where the elements surround the visitor instead of being placed behind glass in a display case.
There is interesting hand-carved and ironwork detail at every turn. Photo by: Elizabeth R Rose
The Ranger-led tours are well worth your time if you are there when they are being offered. Inquire at the ranger desk on the lower level. Another option is to stop at the Lodge’s Barlow Room, where you can watch a 30-minute video presentation of The Builders of Timberline.
My granddaughter stopped at the Forest Ranger desk to get her National Park Passport stamped and we found out about the free Ranger-led tours. Photo by: Elizabeth R Rose
Dining at Timberline Lodge
Timberline’s Cascadia Dining Room (reservations recommended) is known for bountiful buffets and lovely dinners incorporating local Pacific Northwest ingredients. It’s a fine dining option where you can still wear casual hiking clothes. Other options include casual dining upstairs at the Ram’s Head Pub and fast food across the way at the Wy’East Day Lodge.
Cascade Dining Room at Timberline Lodge. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose
