New Suttle Lake Lodge about to rise

Construction crews at work on the kitchen. Photo by Craig Eisenbeis

The much-anticipated new lodge at Suttle Lake Resort is one step closer to reality.

"We hope to be clearing ground by the first part of July," said John Bingham, new Resort and Marina manager at Suttle Lake.

"The infrastructure has to be installed before we go too far on the project," he said.

Specifically, electrical lines, water and septic systems are next on the list. Richter Brothers Construction is the general contractor for the project and activity is already evident on the site.

Last week, work on phases one and two of a remodel of the Boathouse Restaurant was well underway.

"We're bringing this kitchen facility into the modern age," said Bingham, "to comply with health and sanitation regulations and refrigeration issues."

Bingham said it was a question of whether to do the kitchen remodel now or wait until fall.

He and his boss, Ronda Sneva -- whom he described as "Hurricane Ronda" -- decided they wanted everything accomplished as soon as possible.

"When she sets her mind to something," said Bingham, "it's going to get done!"

The resort's development plan with the Forest Service allows five years to complete the master plan. However, Bingham and Sneva plan to move much faster than that.

"I expect to see the shell of the lodge up and weathered in before the snow flies," he said. "We can work on finishing the interior over the winter."

He conceded that the timetable could be subject to delays, especially if important archaeological findings turn up.

"This was an Indian fishing village thousands of years ago," he said, "and we'll have archaeological monitors here throughout the course of any excavation."

Twelve thousand years ago, the area was buried under tons of glacial ice; and Suttle Lake Resort itself is built on the terminal moraine of that now-vanished glacier.

Forest Service geologists say that the area has a 10,000 year history of human use.

Just as people come to the area to fish today, Native Americans began visiting the lake shortly after the glaciers were gone.

Volcanic eruptions periodically covered the area with ash, preserving an excellent archaeological record.

Artifacts already discovered in the area include a stone used to grind native grains, several projectiles and bi-facial tools and thousands of obsidian flakes. Obsidian is not naturally found in the area, so natives would have brought it in from somewhere else.

The archaeological finds are consistent with those of a seasonal native fishing camp, and fishing is just as popular an activity at the resort today.

Last week, a delegation from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation visited the site to survey progress.

"We're hoping to have them come back to do a ceremony or blessing of the land," said Bingham, "to help us make the whole project harmonious with the natural setting we have here."

In addition to populations of trout and kokanee, sockeye salmon once lived out their cycle of life between Suttle Lake and the Pacific Ocean.

Chinook salmon also spawned in the waters of Lake Creek, and efforts are underway today to restore runs of anadromous fish to the area.

The Forest Service is also monitoring a plan by resort owners to rehabilitate vegetation and other features around the resort, and a new bridge adds a safer and aesthetically pleasing entrance.

The resort has occupied the site for approximately 80 years and has an interesting history.

The first Suttle Lake Lodge, which was built in the early 1920s, burned to the ground in 1929. It was rebuilt two years later, but burned again in 1939.

The resort's next reincarnation was off to a good start until both resort owners were drafted into the army for World War II, and wartime gas rationing doomed the resort to decline.

Thereafter, the resort struggled until a 1974 remodel spawned big hopes for a new future.

In keeping with its history, however, that flicker of hope once again burst into flames and the lodge was completely destroyed seven days before it was to have opened.

In 1991, the resort was purchased by Jim Schmit and since that time has made slow but steady progress to return it to its former glory days.

Last week, heavy machinery working on the project uncovered what the construction chief Dan Richter believes is a cornerstone from the last resort lodge that burned down nearly 30 years ago.

The lodge plans call for a 10,000-square-foot, two-story facility that would contain 10 to 12 guest rooms.

Also planned are eight modern full-service cabins and six rustic camping cabins.

Six of the existing camping cabins will be decommissioned and used to create a general store, marina rental office and other service outbuildings.

The resort also has a new telephone number at 595-BOAT.

Bingham said all the architecture is planned in a style that he termed "traditional Cascadian."

Current plans call for the resort to be open year-round, and campsites will no longer be available at the resort. Bingham was quick to point out, however, that three major Forest Service campgrounds are operated by Hoodoo Recreation Services and will continue to serve campers at the lake.

Hoodoo can be reached at (541) 822-3799.