Announcement Breaking news What You need to know Schedule and activities

Frequently asked questions

What is Family Hiking Weekend?

Family Hiking Weekend is Meany Lodges annual summer gathering where Mountaineer members and guests can enjoy Meany Lodge for summer fun. As the name suggests, hiking weekend is family oriented. We plan activities and hikes around the kids, introducing them to hiking and the outdoors.
Family Hiking Weekend is a great opportunity to experience Meany Lodge without the snow. Meet some of the people who keep the lodge going. And, consider if bringing your family to Meany this winter might be for you.

What should I bring?

Sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, flashlight, and change of clothes. For Family Hiking Weekend bring your hiking boots and day-hiking gear. See the list on the What you need to know pages.

Where do I sleep?

Sleeping accommodations are in 3 communal dorms for men, women and families. Bunks are first come, first served. So your first job when you arrive is to claim a bunk by putting you gear on it. We have bunks for 97 people.
Each bunk has a mattress, but you need to bring your own sleeping bag. You might want to bring a pillow, and if you sleep lightly, the lodge does have quite a few earplugs.
Lights go out in the family dorm at 9 PM. The second floor dorms go dark at 10 PM. Lights go out for the whole lodge at 11PM. Lights come on in the whole place at 7:45 AM.

Is there room to set up a portable crib?

There are spaces in the family dorm where you can set up a portable crib. How well this works depends on the number of cribs and the cooperation of the people sharing the space.

When do we eat?

Meals are basic, but always good, hot and plentiful. A vegetarian option is offered at every meal. If you have specific dietary needs, please tell the member services desk when you make your reservation so we may be prepared to meet your requirements.

Are there showers?

Two showers are available in the lower level. Even when the lodge is at capacity, it is possible to find the shower free. Being away from the sleeping rooms, the showers are available to early risers and night owls.

Can I bring my own food?

Yes you can bring your own food to Meany, but there is no need to. All meals are provided, and snacks and beverages are available throughout the day. If you do bring your own food, food storage lockers and refrigerator are located in a pantry area off the kitchen. Please store all food items in the food lockers.
Please do not take food onto the dormitory floors. Crumbs attract rodents who will chew through your pack to get your goodies.

I went to register on-line, but there was no option for children 5 and under.

Children 5 and under are free at Family Hiking Weekend. This option does not show up on the on-line activity search. You can call member services at 206-284-8484 and register over the phone. Or, you can register you children for Saturday only and Sunday only. This tricks the system into signing them up for free. Please send me e-mail that you did this so we know in our records.

The charges on my invoice were not what I expected - I thought my 3 year old would be free?

I'm sorry if this happened to you. Children 5 and under are free on Family Hiking Weekend. It will get straightened out. If you don't mind trying first, please call member/guest services at 206-284-8484? Explain what happened, and ask to have the $20.00 refunded. If you have problems, contact the host Brian, and we will straighten it out.

Do I need a liability waiver?

Everybody staying at Meany Lodge needs to sign a mountain lodge guest liability waiver. This is in addition to the activity waiver you sign annually with the Club.

Is it okay to bring guests to Family Hike Weekend?

Yes. You don't need to be a Mountaineer member to come to Meany Lodge. Also, on Family Hike Weekend the member and guest fees are the same. If the guest is a child that is not your owns, than get a mountain lodge guest waiver from the clubhouse or weekend host Brian in advance, have it signed by a parent or legal guardian. Bring it with you, and give it to the chairman or host. The child must also have a signed medical waiver so we may provide treatment in case of an injury. The chairman may ask to see the waiver, but not take it from you.

Can I bring my grandchildren?

Yes. The same rules apply as with any child that is not your own. You need a signed mountain lodge guest waver and a medical release.

Can I bring my dog to Meany?

We strongly discourage bringing dogs to Meany. We don't ever know how guests will react to dogs, or how dogs will react to strangers. For the comfort of all our guests and to limit our liabilities we prohibit dogs. Dogs often bother small wild life, and are on the menu for the larger ones so tend to attract them.

What about those sled dogs?

This year we are featuring a sled dog program with live pulling demonstrations. There will be a team of sled dogs on site. The dogs will be set away from the main lodge area, and under the control by their handlers. Guest interaction with the dogs is completely voluntary, and always under the supervision of the dog's handlers.

What do you mean "higher ground clearance vehicles?"

Frankly, Meany is not sports car territory. However, four-wheel drive is not required either. Most standard cars and vans can drive to the lodge with no problems. It comes down to your comfort level driving your car on forest service roads.
Once you leave I-90, most of the driving you'll do this weekend is on gravel and dirt roads. The last half-mile to the lodge can be steep and rutted and rocky. The condition of the road varies with maintenance, which is all-volunteer. Check the Hiking Weekend web site for road conditions.

What is "Hug a tree"?

Hug-a-tree is a program to teach children what to do if they get lost. Kids (and adults) learn to stay put. If you get lost, hug a tree and blow your whistle until you are found.

Is it possible to just visit for the day and not stay overnight?

Yes, you are welcome to join us for the day, and participate in on the scheduled activities. You can sign up on-line, or through the clubhouse, for Saturday or Sunday only. The day is free. If you want to stay for dinner, please say so in the comments/notes box below each family members name.

If so, would Saturday or Sunday be better?

The day that fits your schedule is best. Saturday is full of hikes, crafts, and games for the kids. Sunday everybody pitches in to clean the lodge before we leave for more hiking. If had to choose one day to come to Family Hike Weekend, I'd choose Saturday.

What else should I know?

Meany Lodge is maintained and operated by volunteers. There is no paid staff. Guests are asked to help keep the Lodge neat and tidy. Everyone is responsible for washing his or her own dishes. This is one of the most sociable events at the Lodge. There’s no better way to meet new friends than over a sink of soapy water. Guests are also asked to sign up for another simple chore. There is a sign up list posted near the kitchen.

Smoking?

There is no smoking in the Lodge or on the Meany property. The Lodge is a wooden structure that is over seventy-five years old and we have to be very serious about fire - whether structural or wild fire.

What is Meany Lodge like?

Meany Lodge was built in 1928, and expanded over the years. Meany is the oldest lodge owned by the Mountaineers. It has a rustic back country feel, but is warm and comfortable. Meany Lodge has electricity, hot and cold running water, and showers. It is a large four-story building with a commercial kitchen, common use areas, and dormitories.
The main entrance to the lodge is at the end farthest from the road. Enter through the tunnel into the lower level. In the tunnel you'll find racks to store skis and snowboards. In the lower level, you'll find the drying racks for wet clothes, restrooms and showers. Past the drying areas are the ping-pong table and the first aid/meeting room.
The general gathering area is upstairs on the first floor. The kitchen is at one end, and the rest serves as dining and common room. Occasional folk dances and other entertainment take place here on Saturday nights.
The second floor is split between the men and women's dorms. The family dorm fills one side of the upper floor.

What can we do there?

Only the seasons limit your activities. Summer and fall are for hiking, biking and berry picking. In October we host our annual Mushroom weekend. In winter enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and lift-assisted backcountry downhill skiing, telemarking and snowboarding. Or take lessons in all winter sports from the Meany Winter Sports Academy.

What are the runs like?

Meany has 32 named downhill ski/snowboard runs from milk-toast mild to XX steeps and deeps. Our downhill runs are close enough to the beginning and intermediate areas that parents can ski the steeps and still keep an eye in their youngsters on the bunny slopes (though it's sometimes the other way round). We also have access to miles of forest service roads and trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Is Meany Lodge available to groups?

Groups can rent the lodge for meetings and seminars. Contact the committee for more details.

When is Meany open?

In the spring, summer and Fall Meany is open for work parties and when used for classes, meetings, and seminars. The first weekend in August is our annual Family Hiking Weekend, and Mushroom Weekend is in October.
In the winter, Meany is open on the weekends. Meany opens Saturday mornings and closes around 4PM on Sundays. A limited number of members can sign-up for Friday night. Meany also operates between Christmas and New Year's and over President's Day weekend.

How do I make a reservation?

Call the Mountaineer's member service desk at 206 284 8484 or through the online activity search.

Who do I contact for more information about Meany?

For Family Hiking Weekend, contact Brian Thompson at 425-228-6412, or bdthom@comcast.net.
For general information about Meany the chairman of the Meany committee is Chuck Welter. Chuck can be reached at 253 926 0867 or on email at meanylodge@hotmail.com. Check out the Meany Lodge web site at: http://www.meanylodge.org.
Questions about the Meany Winter Sports program should be directed to Patti Polinski at 206 525 7464, or meanysports@mac.com.