How to Snowshoe at Timberline Lodge

Timberline Lodge is a surreal place in the winter. The rustic chic luxury is as appealing as it is jarring amid Mt Hood’s harsh alpine landscape. The lodge’s latest attraction, a hot tub for overnight guests, does little to help with the dissonance. At 6,000 feet of elevation, Timberline is a place to glimpse nature’s power before retreating to a cozy hearth with a hot chocolate. Its biggest draw is skiing and snowboarding, but you don’t need to shell out over a hundred dollars on a lift ticket to appreciate the mountain’s beauty. Here’s everything you need to know about snowshoeing at Timberline Lodge.

Frozen trees Mt Hood — *Ice clings to whitebark pine trunks*

Know before you go

Parking at Timberline Lodge requires a Sno-Park Permit from November - April. You can buy one from Wy’East Day Lodge or Timberline Guest Services for about $4/day.
If you drive to Timberline Lodge, you’ll need to carry chains or use traction tires. Sometimes, chains are required on the road to the lodge. You can get to Timberline without a car on the Mt Hood Express.
You can bring snowshoes to Timberline or rent them from Wy’East Day Lodge. You don’t need a ticket to snowshoe.
Leashed dogs are allowed in the outdoor areas around Timberline Lodge. Only service dogs can go inside.
Sledding isn’t allowed at Timberline Lodge.
Look for restrooms on the ground floor of Timberline Lodge and in Wy’East Day Lodge. The day lodge also has a water bottle filling station.
Timberline Lodge gets crowded on weekends, especially after it snows. Prepare for congestion and a crowded parking lot.

Ravens Mt Hood — *Ravens on Mt Hood are curious about human visitors*

Snowshoeing routes

Timberline Lodge has a designated snowshoe route. It’s about 3/4 mile long and groomed daily. This loop trail is a good introduction to exploring Mt Hood’s higher elevations. It’s easy, family-friendly, and will keep out of ski runs. You’ll get great views of Mt Hood’s summit and the Cascade peaks to the south along the way.

Timberline’s website makes it look like the groomed trail is the only place you can snowshoe. There are other routes. They’re just less beginner-friendly, involving more experience with navigation, mountain safety, and awareness of ski routes. It’s not the kind of environment where you want to get in over your head. Besides Timberline’s designated snowshoe trail, I’ll talk about the trek to Silcox Hut, which is strenuous but easy to navigate and won’t take you anywhere hazardous.

The groomed trail

Old water tower Mt Hood — *Old water tower along the groomed snowshoe trail*

Distance: 0.75-mile loop

Elevation: 100 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Finding the trail

From the front of Timberline Lodge, walk around to the right side of the building. Look for the large orange antique Sno-Cat. The snowshoe trail starts and ends here.

Antique sno-cat Mt Hood — *Start the snowshoe trail here*

Route details

Beginning at the orange Sno-Cat, you can start the loop clockwise or counterclockwise. You’ll see stakes with little green signs pointing the way.

Mt Hood snowshoe trail sign — *Green signs mark the snowshoe trail*

We’ll go left to start the loop clockwise. Make sure to take the snowshoe trail and not the more obvious Sno-Cat route next to it with the churned-up snow. I’m being specific since I missed the trail at first despite having a map. It’s obvious once you see it or if other people are snowshoeing. Otherwise, it’s a bit subtle. If you’re on the right path, you’ll be walking toward a grove of trees.

Mt Hood snowshoe trail — *Head toward the trees*

You’ll pass the stake with the little green trail marker and continue into the trees. Few trees can survive this high on Mt Hood. The whitebark pine, subalpine firs, and mountain hemlock are among the highest on the mountain.

Timberline snowshoe trail — *Look for the green trail marker*

Once you’re in the trees, the snowshoe trail curves toward the right and passes an old water tower.

After the water tower, you’ll round a corner and start heading back toward the parking lot. On a clear day, look for Mt Jefferson to the south. Behind it are the Three Sisters and a faint Mt. Bachelor.

Timberline snowshoe trail Mt Jefferson — *Mt Jefferson from the snowshoe trail*

With a sharp eye, you can look east to see the Cascade foothills transition to the arid plains of the high desert. One of the advantages of a winter visit to Timberline is that the air quality will be good, unmarred by summer wildfire smoke. When the clouds lift, visibility is excellent.

Ht Hood National Forest foothills — *Looking east toward the high desert*

You’ll snowshoe a short distance down a gentle slope, and then the trail curves to the right. Behind you is a great view of Mt Hood’s summit.

*Mt Hood’s summit from the snowshoe trail*

Then, that’s it! You’re back at the lodge, easy peasy. The only disadvantage of Timberline’s groomed snowshoe trail is it feels like it’s over before it starts.

*Wy’East Day Lodge at the end of the trail*

Silcox Hut

Distance: 2 miles out and back

Elevation: 1000 feet

Difficulty: Hard

The details

The trek from Timberline Lodge to Silcox Hut is unadvertised but allowed. The journey is challenging because of the elevation gain. It’s an uphill slog, even on a summer hike. Snowshoes don’t make it any easier. To get there, look for the churned-up Sno-Cat track to the right of the lodge. It’s between the lodge and the groomed snowshoe trail.

The Sno-Cat track is the most obvious path from the lodge. I started it accidentally, having mistaken it for the snowshoe route. Once you’re on it, navigation is easy. Just follow it uphill. Keep an eye out for the Sno-Cat and move to the side if it comes. There’s plenty of room for it to pass.

The beginning of the trek parallels the groomed snowshoe trail. Looking back, you can see Timberline Lodge and Mt Jefferson to the south. On your left, you’ll see skiers and snowboarders cruising down the ski run.

You’ll pass alongside the last grove of trees. Then, it’s nothing but snow in every direction. You won’t see the hut at first. It becomes visible once you’re higher up. To the right is the uphill walking route for skiers. Chances are a few will be trudging up the hill next to you.

Toward the end of the snowshoe trek, you’ll see the top of the Magic Mile chairlift and the snow-covered roof of the hut. It’s not far to the end, but between the steep slope and thin air, the going is slow. I recommend frequent panting breaks.

Silcox Hut winter — *Magic Mile and Palmer chairlifts (left) and Silcox Hut (right)*

A ski run crosses the Sno-Cat track just before Silcox Hut. Cross carefully, then you’ll be at your destination. Constructed in 1939, Silcox Hut was once a warming hut at the top of the Magic Mile chairlift, around 7,000 feet elevation. Today, Timberline rents out it for events. It will probably be occupied when you’re there. Have a look around the outside, and then head back the way you came.

The way down will be so easy compared to the way up that you’ll almost feel like you’re skiing rather than snowshoeing. The views are spectacular and otherworldly. You’ll know every step of the way that humans aren’t built for this landscape. But, since you’re here, take it all in. On a clear day, you can see Mt Jefferson, the Three Sisters, and Mt Bachelor to the south. The round, snowy patch in the foothills is Trillium Lake.

Mt Hood winter — *Views to the south for days*

Post-snowshoe activities

Timberline Lodge

It doesn’t take long to finish the snowshoe trail at Timberline. Afterward, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the historic lodge, starting with the winterized entrance. You’ll enter through a tunnel that keeps the deep snow off the stairs and, more importantly, from sliding off the roof onto hapless visitors. The ground floor has an impressive wood-burning fireplace. Head upstairs to the main lobby. Its hexagonal shape centers around another fireplace of andesite. The huge beams at the hexagon’s corners are ponderosa pine from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

It’s worth noticing the details as you explore. Skilled architects and craftsmen contributed to the construction of Timberline Lodge, which was completed in 1937. Everything was made with care and attention, from the hand-carved animals on the banisters to the white pine floors to the ironwork. Maintenance and restoration over the decades have helped preserve the original character of the lodge. Up another level is a restaurant with the best views of Mt Hood you can find without walking up the mountain. The food is good if a bit on the pricey side. The views take away much of the sting of the prices. Think pasta, sandwiches, soup, and salad.

*Views from Ram’s Head Bar & Restaurant*

Wy’East Day Lodge

Across the parking lot, Wy’East Day Lodge is another relaxing post-snowshoeing destination. The atmosphere here is not so much like a ski lodge as a high school cafeteria, but the views are stunning. Big windows look onto the Cascades to the south. There’s a cafe with meals of the pizza and burger variety. The best seats in the house are on the back patio of the bar. On a sunny day, the Adirondack chairs are the perfect place to grab a beer and admire Mt Jefferson.

Gear

Commission earned on links

Do you need snowshoes?

If you’re just doing the groomed snowshoe trail next to Timberline, I think you could usually get by without snowshoes. When I visited, people were doing just fine with microspikes or even snow boots. Don’t wear sneakers. I watched a woman in Adidas slide down the same tiny hill over and over to the amusement of everyone nearby. It’s fine, she was laughing harder than anyone.

Snowshoe rental

You can rent snowshoes from Wy’East Day Lodge. Look for the rental office on the lowest level. Rentals are $27/day, first come, first serve.

If you’re driving to Timberline Lodge from Portland, snowshoe rentals are cheaper in Sandy, more like $20/day, although it would also mean an extra stop.

Bring your snowshoes

If you go snowshoeing more than a few times, buying snowshoes is cheaper and more convenient than renting. I used my Tubbs Wilderness snowshoes, which worked great. They’re comfortable, easy to walk in, and have good traction on slippery ground.

If you’re looking for a pair to get you going, try these from Wildhorn Outfitters. The cost isn’t much more than renting.

Other things to bring

Sunglasses and sunscreen. I went on a sunny day. It was brighter than Portland had been since September.
Snow boots for men or women
Wool socks
Winter jacket, hat, gloves, and layers. I was pulling my hat on and off all afternoon, depending on the wind off the mountain.
Camera

Getting there

Address: 27500 E Timberline Road, Government Camp, OR 97028

To reach Timberline Lodge from Portland, take Highway 26 past Government Camp. Turn left onto Timberline Hwy and continue until you reach the lodge. The road has some steep and curvy sections. It can be treacherous in bad weather. Prepare for winter driving conditions and carry chains.

The drive from Portland takes about 90 minutes.

How to Snowshoe at Timberline Lodge

Know before you go

Snowshoeing routes