Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Activity Notes
MAZAMA LODGE
If you have any questions after reading the prospectus please contact Jude Baker at 503-502-7163 or judith394@msn.com.
Carpooling and Arrival Times
Carpools can be arranged for anyone who wants to carpool. The roundtrip from MMC to Timberline is 120 miles, so the suggested carpool contribution to your driver is $15/pp, or $45 per car. Check in time at the Lodge is 3 pm for anyone who wants to arrive early. Dinner is at 6:30 pm. Please arrive by then so we can all eat together. Breakfast is at 6:30 am. There is no cost for the overnight stay, dinner and breakfast since it was included in the fee for the class. You will need to bring a lunch from home for Friday's snow skill session. Anyone driving needs to have a Sno-Park permit to park at the Mazama Snow-Park and Timberline.
Directions and Parking
From Portland, follow OR Hwy 26 east to Government Camp. After milepost 54, turn left (north) onto Timberline Highway, then left again onto a poorly signed gravel RD 520 which is one-way, may not be plowed and has potholes. Shortly after, you will come to a small loading area on the right (north) side with a sign for Mazama Lodge. Stop here only long enough to drop passengers and gear, 5-10 minutes max. From here, walk up a path that may be icy or snowy up to the Lodge (approx .25 miles). It will be helpful to wear your hiking boots when carrying gear up the hill. The trail is not illuminated at night but has a rope guide along one side in case it's icy.
After unloading, continue driving RD 520 one-way back down to OR 26. Cross OR 26 to park in the Mazama Sno-Park next to the ODOT maintenance station on the south side of Hwy 26. Do not park at the far ends of the Sno-Park lot where there are no-parking signs! Please park as close as possible to the rear/south of the lot (next to the snowbank, farthest away from the highway) to make room for the snowplows and people chaining up.
Do not leave any valuables in your car overnight! bring everyting with you up to the Lodge.
Mazama Lodge
To walk to Mazama Lodge from Mazama Sno-Park, CAREFULLY cross the Hwy 26 and head up the small road opposite the Sno-Park marked as “one-way do not enter” (not the road to Timberline) about 200 yards. There is a small pullout (the loading zone mentioned above) with a sign for the Mazama Lodge. As mentioned above there is a short trail that goes uphill through the snow to reach the Lodge.
Enter the Lodge through the basement door and remove your shoes; outdoor footwear is not allowed upstairs. Bring slippers or soft booties! Leave all your gear, boots and heavy outdoor clothes in the basement.
Come on up to the main floor when you arrive and check in at the desk at the entrance to the main room. Then head upstairs to claim a bunk.
Sleeping Areas:
The Lodge has bunk accommodations with rooms for men, women and coed. Bring a warm sleeping bag and pillow and pick out a bunk when you arrive. Remember, there is no food or drink upstairs; you can store your food in the basement fridge. Bunk rooms are not heated, so plan appropriately. Earplugs are also recommended. The lodge does have wifi and electric plugs for your devices, though they are limited so an external charger may benefit you. You’ll be a hero if you bring a multiplug.
You can also sleep out on one of the sheltered upper decks/porches or try snow-camping out behind the Lodge if you’re an adventurous spirit. Be sure not to camp in the sledding runs on the back hill.
There is no sleeping in the Lodge common areas or on the couches. The Lodge has men’s and women’s bathrooms with hot showers and separate stalls. Bring a towel and soap+shampoo! The Lodge also has a laundry facility/drying room for hanging up wet gear in the basement.
