Timberline Lodge

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Clackamas Lake Historic Ranger Station

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Seasons

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Location

From the junction of I-205 and I-84 in NE Portland: drive 7 miles E on I-84 to  Exit 16 “Wood Village”. Turn R at stop sign onto NE 238th Dr. Follow 238th, which becomes NE 242nd Dr to Burnside (approx. 3 miles) Turn L on Burnside, which eventually turns into Hwy 26 E.  Follow Hwy 26 E about 40 miles to the Timberline Road turn-off) passing through the towns of Sandy, Welches, Rhododendron, and Government Camp. Or from I-205 in Clackamas, take Exit 12 and travel E for 12.1 miles on Hwy 212 through Damascus and Boring to the junction with Hwy 26. Follow signs E on Hwy 26 to Sandy and Mt. Hood. Follow Hwy 26 E for 33.1 miles past Government Camp to the Timberline access road.  Turn left on the Timberline access road; follow the road to Timberline (6 mi.) Road dead-ends in the Timberline parking lot. From Hood River: Take OR-35 S approximately 39 miles to the junction with US 26. Merge onto Hwy 26 W (toward Portland) and proceed 2.1 miles to the Timberline Rd. Turn right on Timberline access road; follow the road to Timberline ( approximately 6 miles). Road dead-ends in the Timberline parking lot. Hotel guests proceed to upper parking lot in front of the main lodge. Ski Area guests park in lower main parking lot near the day lodge. Note: You will need a Snopark Permit to park here and at other Snoparks in the area between November 1st and April 30th. 

Timberline Lodge Website

Directions

Habitat and Birds

The birding here is typical of High Cascades birding. The diversity is not particularly high, but what you do find will satisfy. Check the snow fields for Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches. These have been seen at the parking area, but may require a climb to the Palmer Hut. Horned Larks can be found in meadow areas. Clark’s Nutcrackers, Common Ravens, and Gray Jays should greet you around the lodge. Cassin’s Finches and Mountain Bluebirds are regular, and White-crowned Sparrows breed in numbers. Red Crossbill flocks may have a stray White-winged Crossbill (rare). Black-backed Woodpeckers are around and Dark-eyed Juncos nest in the area. Birding is possible in winter, although few species are present and the parking lots can overflow with skiers.

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