Footsteps of the Pioneers Along the Rocky Road
Many pioneers took the Barlow Road around Mt. Hood and you too can follow this "alternative route" to the end of the Oregon Trail.
Starting in The Dalles as the final stopover of the pioneers before heading out for the Willamette Valley, explore Fort Dalles Museum, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, The Dalles Dam and the historic murals. Wind your way up Highway 197 along rolling wheat fields through arid high desert terrain to Dufer. From Dufer, follow along footsteps of the pioneers by traveling the old Barlow Road through Tygh Valley and Wamic (this route is closed in winter) otherwise continue to Maupin and west along Hwy 216.
The Barlow Road sites include Barlow Pass Summit on Hwy 35 and Pioneer Woman's Grave. Continue to Summit Meadow on the south side of Hwy 26, 1/2 mile before Government Camp. Head up to Timberline Lodge for a look at this historic landmark lodge and the Palmer Glacier. Joel Palmer climbed this glacier to scout the pioneer's route to the valley. Ride the Magic Mile chair lift for your own stellar views of the Cascades. Just beyond Government Camp, take a short walk to the upper chute of Laurel Hill, where wagons were emptied and lowered on a man-made pulley of using ropes wrapped around tree stumps.
Visit the West Barlow Tollgate just before Rhododendron. This was the last tollgate to be operated on the Barlow Road. Stop in the charming town of Sandy for lunch, antiquing, wine-tasting and more great Mt. Hood views from Jonsrud Viewpoint. Step back in time at the historic Philip Foster Farm and learn first hand how the pioneers lived and worked. Drive past rural farming towns to Oregon's original capital, Oregon City. Stop at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and explore Historic Oregon City for glimpses of early settlers' life on the Willamette River.