Trails Club of Oregon

Dedicated to enjoying and preserving the great outdoors

About Our Lodges

Nesika Lodge

To view more pictures of Nesika Lodge construction and restoration, click here.

For lodge use guidelines and policies please, click here.

Our property in the scenic area suffered during the eagle creek fire of September 2017. Many, many volunteers have helped to move us along towards restoring Nesika to a more useable condition. With the resurrection of our hauling trailer and the donation of a tractor, our work has become more manageable. We have moved more than 3,800 lbs. of scrap metal to the recyclers. We have cleared access for the tractor from the parking lot to the lodge and we have cut, split and stacked more than 7 cords of wood for future heating of the lodge.
We hauled the generator to town for evaluation and service. The generator is back in service with repaired wiring and generator shed roof.  A new water tank has been installed and connected to the system. The work has been hot, dirty and difficult but it is the heart of the volunteers that keeps us moving forward.
The point to be made here is that none of this would have been achieved without your volunteer support. Thank you all who have helped Nesika thru donations of labor or love. You all humble us with your support.
Respectfully, Glen and Linda Conrad

There is a huge need for volunteers to help with fire recovery efforts. Getting involved in trail rebuilding takes us back to the very roots of the Trails club.

In order to assist and sign up for trail work use the following web sites:
Trail Keepers of Oregon: www.trailkeepersoforegon.org
Pacific Crest Trail Assn: www.pcta.org
Washington Trails Assn: www.wta.org

We lost both dorms and most of the equipment used to operate Nesika. We have replaced equipment (trailers, tools), and have made repairs to facilities (water, sanitary, power). There will also be road repair work to do which will likely be quite extensive.

PayPalOn May 4, 2019, PayPalwe planted 1,360 trees: Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar, and Ponderosa Pine. Thanks to all those who donated funds and those who helped coordinate and participate in the planting weekend.

Use this link to view pictures, both pre and post fire, of Nesika: NesikaLodge.com

Note: The information below describes the property before the Eagle Creek Fire in September 2017 which severely damaged the property.

Nesika Lodge is our “Home in the gorge”. It is located on the rim of the Columbia River gorge surrounded by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The main lodge, a stone and log structure mainly built by club members, provides day facilities including a full kitchen centered around a wood burning range, dining space, game areas, and plenty of space to sit around the fireplace. A local water system and generator provide water and power for the lodge.

Nesika is normally reached by trail. The more scenic approach starts from the Columbia River highway at Multnomah Falls just 30 miles from Portland. The route follows along Multnomah Creek with its many waterfalls and cascades, then cuts through Multnomah Basin and a tall timbered area, a total distance of about four miles. The other main approach is by road via Palmer Mill road near Larch Mountain, then by trail. The road is gated so you must have a key.

Nesika Lodge is an ideal spot for large or small parties with the opportunity to take numerous hikes in the surrounding area, or just take an easy stroll out to the viewpoint to enjoy the spectacular view of the Columbia River Gorge.

Nesika History

Nesika Lodge was built in 1923, a rustic log cabin located on the club’s own property in the Columbia River Highlands, between Multnomah Falls and Oneonta Creek, at an elevation of over 1800 feet above the Columbia River.

The original lodge served the club well for many years, but time and nature finally won out. After over 60 years of use the old log cabin was no longer fit for use and plans were made to replace it.

Nesika Lodge

The original lodge was replaced with a log and stone lodge that was dedicated in 1997. The new lodge has a masonry base with a log roof structure and should serve the club for many years to come. The main lodge provides day use areas, kitchen, and summer rest rooms.

The main lodge was supported by two bunk room style dormitories that provided 3 separate sleeping areas each sleeping up to 20 people. “Redwing” was rebuilt in 1988 and served as a kitchen and dining hall during lodge reconstruction. The “Multi Use Dorm” had been recently refurbished with tight walls and new windows and provided 2 sleeping areas on two floors. All sleeping areas had wood stoves for the cooler months. Both dormitories were lost to the 2017 fire. Redwing’s replacement, named “Green Fern” in honor of Fern Anderson, a long time club member.

Tyee Lodge

Tyee Lodge is our “Home on Mt. Hood”. The lodge is situated on Forest Service land near Government Camp, and 60 miles from Portland. It is close to Summit Ski Area and the Alpine Ski Trail. Other ski areas are readily accessible. The terrain surrounding the lodge has a gentle slope, making it an attractive area for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The lodge serves as overnight headquarters for  hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.

Tyee facilities include a full kitchen, large dining area, lots of fireplace seating, drying room, and winter equipment storage. Sleeping accommodations for 22 women and 22 men are provided in bunk style dormitories.

Tyee is reached in winter by a short quarter-mile trail starting at a point four-tenths of a mile up the Timberline Road. In summer the lodge is reached by driving about one mile up the West Leg Road.

Tyee History

Tyee Lodge construction was started in 1949 and officially dedicated on September 28, 1952, with the kitchen and dining room addition being built in 1958. Most of the work was done by club members. A minor remodel was done in the 1970’s to get the lodge to meet health and safety requirements when a basement shower was added. The shake roof was replaced with a metal roof in 2004.