Proposal 5: Embrace History

Issue: Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge are unique in having a blend of striking scenic and historic distinctions.  While the natural beauty of these places easily puts them in company with other national parks, the historic value adds a special layer of significance.  Sadly, this historic legacy has been largely ignored under Forest Service management.

Proposal: Restore the historic legacy of Mount Hood and the Gorge as part of creating a greatly enhanced visitor experience.

The following are key components of this proposal:

Guard Stations - when forest fire suppression was first introduced to the national forests, elaborate trail systems, guard stations and network of fire lookouts were built to watch over the forests.  A number of guard stations once stood around Mount Hood, but by the 1960s, all had been removed by the Forest Service.  Under this proposal, the Plaza, Upper Sandy, High Prairie, Red Hill and Lost Lake guard stations would be reconstructed as interpretive facilities.

Lookouts - today, there are  within the proposed national park boundary: Fivemile Butte, Flag Point, Hickman Butte, Clear Lake Butte and Devils Peak.  The proposal would not only maintain or restore these lookouts as historic sites, but also reconstruct lookouts at Squaw Mountain, Larch Mountain, Mount Defiance and High Rock.  Like the remaining lookouts, these new structures would be available as rentals during the summer seasons.

Timberline Trail Shelters - of the orginal six stone shelters and two wood shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, only three stone shelters and one wood shelter remain.  This proposal would restore all of the structures originally built along the trail.

Cloud Cap Inn - the first inn built on the mountain, Cloud Cap is maintained by a private organization and closed to the public today.  Under this proposal, the structure would be reopened to the public, and maintained as a historic facility by the National Park Service.

Oregon Trail - perhaps the most famous piece of history in the park, the Barlow Road section of the Oregon Trail would be restored and maintained for its full length. Interpretive activities would include vintage wagon trips along some portions of the road, and self-guided auto tours along other sections that are currently open to vehicles.

Civilian Conservation Corps - a number of historic structures still exist where Camp Zigzag became the first CCC camp in Oregon in 1933, and the last to be dismantled, in 1941. These structures would be restored as the focus of a major CCC interpretive site and museum of national significance.

Indian Huckleberry Harvests - the open mountaintops near High Rock are still harvested by native Americans in fall, when acres of huckleberries ripen. The proposal includes an interpretive program at the High Rock Lodge centered on Indian harvests of huckleberries and other materials from the forest.

Dee Lumber Mill - before the decline of the timber industry, the Hood River Valley was home to several busy mills.  Today, the skeleton of a mill sits idle on the Middle Fork of the Hood River at Dee.  Under this proposal, the mill site would be reconstructed as a working mill interpretive site, including rail equipment used in early 20th century railroad logging.