Hood River Real Estate Update

The Barlow Road is a famous section of the Oregon Trail. It was built as an alternate route around Mt. Hood from The Dalles to Oregon City. This route gave the pioneers a second choice to the treacherous rapids of the Columbia River.

When Samuel K. Barlow arrived at The Dalles from Illinois in 1845 he was unhappy with the high toll fees charged to emigrants going down the Columbia River. He also had concerns about the dangers of this route. Barow scouted out a wagon road around the south side of Mt. Hood which he began operating as a toll road in 1846. The road was very rough with trees and rocks which made it even more difficult. When the road opened in 1846 Barlow charged $5.00 per wagon and 10 cents for every head of livestock. Five dollars was about a weeks wages, however the fee to float down the Columbia River in boats or rafts was nearly $50.00. By 1863, tolls had changed to $2.50 per wagon and team, 75 cents for horse and rider, and 10 cents for other livestock.

The Barlow Road operated under many owners as a toll road from 1846 to 1919.  After 1919 there were no more tolls collected when the estate of the final owner deeded the road to the State of Oregon.


Many say the Barlow Road started in The Dalles. However in 1845 when Sam Barlow scouted the new road, there was already a route from The Dalles to Tygh Valley. By 1850, many emigrants by-passed The Dalles. They would travel straight from the John Day River to Tygh Valley and cross the Deschutes River at Sherar's Bridge. Tygh Valley could be considered the beginning of the Barlow Road.

According to the National Park Service, the start of the road is considered to be the first tollgate site at Gate Creek. Whatever starting point you choose, the ending was always Oregon City, which was the "End of the Oregon Trail."

The Oregon Trail was named a National Historic Trail by Congress in 1978. This Historic Trail designation was meant to protect the trail remnants and artifacts for public enjoyment. There is actually very little of the original Oregon Trail still visible today, only about 20 percent of which approximately 10 percent of this is on National Forest land. On April 13, 1992, the Barlow Road was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District.

The Mount Hood National Forest maintains 40 miles of Barlow Road corridor. Much of the road on the Forest is still in use today for recreation activities. About 30 miles remain "intact," but not always in a form you would expect. The Barlow Road underwent an evolution of travel modes--from oxen-pulled wagon to Model A Fords.  Much of the original route is beneath U.S. Highway 26 in the Zig Zag valley.  The new motorized routes (including Mount Hood Loop Highway of 1924) left many isolated pieces of "pristine wagon ruts" which are still visible today.

The ruts are actually a swale- or five to six foot wide trench worn out by the wagon and the stock that pulled them. Near "Pioneer Woman's Grave," they get four to five feet deep.There are fine traces within 200 feet of paved parking at Pioneer Woman's Grave and Barlow Pass. There is a one mile hiking trail from Barlow Pass to Pioneer Woman's Grave which  has some of the best rut traces to be seen. The ruts are marked with rustic "Original Wagon Route" signs. There are also fine traces near Devil's Half Acre.  Wagons were lowered at Laurel Hill, this is located between mileposts 50 and 51 on Hwy 26. There is a short trail leading to Laurel Chute where emigrants used ropes to lower their wagons. Here is where a stump with rope burn was near the top of chute number two, but the marks have disintegrated over time.

Pioneer graves can still be seen. In addition to "Pioneer Woman's Grave," there are several others at Summit Meadow. These are located on private land across the street from where the Summit House stood.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. Many entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.