When the pool and hot tub at Timberline Lodge was decommissioned in the fall of 2022, Oregon’s outdoor pool aficionados wept. Or at least, The Oregonian’s self-proclaimed spa and sauna reporter (me) was pretty bummed.
But now, one of Oregon’s greatest pools, and its adjoining hot tub, are back in business.
What makes the pool at Timberline Lodge so good? Well, let’s start with the location.
Timberline Lodge is situated basically on top of a mountain. The lodge, which was built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, is a grand historic hotel perched somewhat unexpectedly near the summit of Mount Hood.
The pool was added in 1958. It was that original pool that was decommissioned.
According to Timberline, the lodge worked with the United States Forest Service, the Oregon State Historical Preservation Office, Friends of Timberline, Soderstrom Architects and Bremik Construction “to create a design becoming to Timberline’s historical landscape while developing a project plan fitting within Mt. Hood’s short construction window.”
The new pool was built within the same footprint as the original pool. Like its predecessor, the pool is heated year-round, as is the hot tub, so even in the dead of winter, even in the middle of a snowstorm, overnight hotel guests can swim laps or just play around, in the pool.
The new pool will be accessed by a sky bridge from the west side hotel vestibule, according to Timberline.
“This elevated access design allowed for restoration of stone buttresses and building design features that have not been seen since 1958,” Timberline said in a blog post.
The pool is generally for hotel guests only but according to Timberline, it will also “be available for group events and special occasions.”
– Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com or @lizzzyacker
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