Big Plans for 2023!

Here’s the list of projects planned:

Stone Foundation, Chimney and Firebox

Despite many years without maintenance, the lodge’s distinctive 7ft high outward slanting foundation is still straight and solid. That said, there is loose mortar in numerous places that promotes water leakage and increases freeze/thaw damage. This is evidenced by efflorescence buildup on the interior walls. Repairs will begin with workers chiseling and cleaning all loose mortar on the foundation and chimney exterior and interior. The walls will be re-mortared followed by the application sealant to the exterior. Once this work is completed several other problematic areas will be addressed. (1) The below grade foundation on the north sides of the lodge need to be exposed and sealed to stop water leaks. Installation of foundation drains will ensure the area remains dry. (2) The fire box in the Main Lodge fireplace needs to be repaired. (3) The two fireplace flues will be repaired in the chimney for the wood stove on the ground floor and fireplace on the main floor. (4) The heavy buildup of efflorescence on the interior walls will be removed. The work has been fundeed but generous grant from The Kinsman Fondation, Oregon Cultural Trust, The Autzen Foundation and Dann and Susan Boeschen.

Windows

Dining Hall Repairs

Cedar Shake Roof

Cedar Siding

Well and Water Supply

Septic System

Santiam Pass Ski Lodge has over 75 paned windows of various sizes that line every wall. For most of the lodge’s vacancy the windows were kept in very good condition. Sadly, in 2016 vandals damaged over 1/3 of the sashes, many destroyed beyond repair. In the fall of 2018, the sashes were removed from the frames to be restored and reinstalled. Unfortunately, the window glazing tested positive for asbestos. Because many had incurred severe damage, it was decided that the glazing would be removed from all the sashes. We are happy to announce that all of the sashes and jambs have been restored and/or rebuilt. They still need painting and installation into the rough openings. We will also add a fairly hidden moden weatherstrip to the jams that will give superior protection from the elements. This must be done before the siding is installed. 75 windows is a lot, but as with the entire restoration, you do things one at a time and amazingly it get done! Thanks to The Oregon Heritage Preserving Oregon Grant and US Department of the Interior’s Great American Outdoors Acts grant for the funding to get this work done. We appreciate the help of Mackenzie Strawn of Stayton Wood Windows for work on the windows.

The lodge’s Dining Hall was built in 1941, one year after the completion of the main lodge. As one of the later CCC projects, the construction is different than the rest of the lodge, lacking the large hand-hewn beams. It is nevertheless a very important part of the complex, providing a wonderful 20’ x 40’ interior space surrounded by 16 large paned windows. In place of the large beams seen in the main structure, the Dining Hall roof structure is constructed of 2”x6” lumber. It was built strong, lasting 83 years with winter snows accumulating on the north side often 15 to 20 feet high. However, since the beginning of the restoration project we have seen signs of structural weakening. In 2022 we removed the ceiling to inspect the truss structure. This exposed some issues: bowing, broken and cracked rafters, and a sagging ridge. We do not want to install the new cedar shake roof on this building until these problems are addressed. Beginning as soon as the snow allows access we will begin to work on this problem. The trusses will be rebuilt one by one, reinforced with double rafters. The process will also raise the ceiling in the room about 18”. We are seeking funding to complete this project. At present funding from FSPSL Friends and the Murdock Charitable Trust will begin the work.

The lodge’s Cedar shake roof was long past its useful life when work began in 2019. In keeping with the decision to restore the lodge to its original look, it was determined that cedar shakes should replace the existing roof. This will necessitate added regular maintenance to include application of a fire retardant. During asbestos abatement work in 2019, workers discovered a layer of high content asbestos felt under the existing shakes. It was originally decided that the roof should be left undisturbed until the new roof was installed, but work performed during the 2020 season required a portion of the roof to be removed. Instead of removing a small portion, abatement crews stripped the entire roof of shakes and asbestos felt. A temporary layer of ice and water shield was applied to the plywood decking to hold over until the roof is replaced. A new roof must be installed this season. Because the old roof has already been stripped, work will begin with the repair of the existing decking and eves. The existing plywood will be re-nailed. A layer of 2’ x 1” Cedar shakes will be installed over the entire lodge. Roofers will also install shakes in the lodge gables to match the existing. Thanks to the Great American Outdoor’s Acts Grant for funding the new roof!

After 30 years with no maintenance, the harsh elements have taken their toll on the lodge’s board and batten siding. Much of the wood is cupped and cracked, and in some locations is falling off. In other locations snow buildup over the years has allowed water intrusion creating dry rot in the siding and underlaying shiplap. The removal of non-historical additions to the lodge in 2019 resulted in some sections having no siding at all. As such, the need for replacement of the lodge’s siding is crucial. Most of the structure will require new siding. With a few exceptions, all work will be in-kind: the exterior matching exactly the original construction. Care will be taken to ensure that the original look is retained. The cedar shake siding on the gabled ends of the lodge will be removed and replaced when the roof is being installed. Thanks to the Kinsman Foundation, Oregon Heritage Preserving Oregon Grant for grants that began this work in 2021. We are seeking further funding to complete this project in 2023.

The original well was a 25’ deep 3’ in diameter hand-dug hole just east of the lodge. It did not reach into an aquifer and was essentially a surface collection system. Previous operators recounted that in later years the water was always low and murky, especially in the late season. The pump house burned in the B&B Complex Fires in 2003, leading the US Forest Service to fill the well with dirt for safety reasons (See picture on left). It has been determined that a completely new water system is needed. This will be a “high ticket” item, but will provide the only water on the north side of US 20 at the Santiam Pass. In time the system will include large water tanks above the lodge and a gravity feed delivery. We are seeking funding to complete the water system. The well along with the septic system seen below are crucial to the restoration project. Once these major utilities are restored, full operation of the lodge is only a year away. This will allow us to work inside the lodge year round, greatly increasing the speed of the project.

The existing septic system is still intact but has not been used in over 30 years. Since there is no water at the lodge, it has not been tested. The assumption, however, is that a system unused for three decades will not pass testing. Considering the future plans, site developers have determined the best course of action is to install a new high-volume septic system capable of handling the expected number of visitors that will use the lodge. With the installation of water saving fixtures, the commercial septic system will support as many as 200 guests per day.  Funding is needed to install the new tanks and drainfield.