The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1893-05-05
CROSSING THE COAST RANGE.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILES OF SCENIC
TRAVEL IN WESTERN OREGON,

TRAVEL IN WESTERN OREGON.
The above healing would not be so ill.,
teresling l,erha,,s "a if it had been the Alps
in Switzerland or the Andes in South
America, but however it is quite interest
ing for one who was reared on the great
American plains or in the mammoth val.
ley of the Mississippi. The first that at.
tracts the attention of the mount.in visitor
sand narrow passages, and wanderings
through dense forests of evergreens, com
posed of fir, cedar and larcl,, the latter
growing to an enor,n"us sizs as We'll as
and feet of lumber.
After finding our way through the above
named ruggedness we are traversing the
Grande Rounde Indian reservation contain e.
located in small valley it is titled by the
inhabitants who once fought against the
pale e,face to shun civilization and now stands
in light and equalization with the great
American people.
On leaving the agency or Iudian school
we are ascending the mountains approach
ing vast area that has been visited by fire
seventeen or eighteen years ago and left the
forests in dying condition and to-day those
huge and gigantic trees are falling one by
one, presenting lonely aud rugged scene.
The wanderer at last succeeds in reach
ing the sumr,it and begins to descend,
passing through small village which stands
amid this aesolate fire district awaiting
the arrival of travellers to AMI from the
beach. It's original name was Dolph and
and 1t compri-c ed a 1"lI gate, rostctiice, one
general merchandise store and hotel.
Leaving the above named village the road
leads us through small valleys where bee
culture is the prn cipai occupation of the
mountaineers, although sheep and cattle
do we'll as -rass and water are abundant
the year round.
Iu traversing these valleys we cross
brooks and rivers teeming with trout and
salmon, until the descent is made into
Tillamook valley, prosperous agricultural
anil daIr,in district; tl.en gliding over
this level prairie, frequently passing through
skirts OF timber, We rush upon Tillamook
City, situated on Hoquarten slough at the
head of TiIIanook bay, town of zoo in =
habtants and is the equity seat of Tiila-
nook county whose delightful shores ex-
tend to that mighty water.
How lonely it seems to hear the pillows
And watch the salty waves wash upon
the shore
After paying short visit to Netarts bay
and other points of interest along the coast
and strolIing here and there over the beach
hunting curious shells that have been
washed up by the angry waves, we start
on our return across the range, traversing a
route that presents startling contrast as
heretofore mentioned. Following Trask
river long distance towards its source
we are able to look down precipice of QUE
hundred and fifty feet nd hear the water 3
constant ripple hugh rocks that lie in
its way and at times wandering along side
the stream. But at last our road or trail
compels us dashing, hurryin",
skurrying river adieu as it leads US away i'll,
to 49,, forest aud climbs to sum.
nit of one of the highest mountains
enronte which is ten miles from its base
at au altitude of 5000 feet above sea level
where full 3" of the Mountainous
landscape oainbe 81 ined.
Overlooking the be1utiful willamette val
ley We gaze upon the Cascades with our
eyes turned toward Mt Hond which standa
and overlooks its competitors and wears a
cap of perpetual snow. In descending from
this point we reach Moore's valley, which
lies in the foot Although small this
valley is a prosperous agricultural an'l
grazing section, bling rolling prairie it
proves that stock will thrive as they are
permitted by the winter seasons to run at
large and Craze upon grass the year round.
Now we are leaving the mountains, which
b I'VE well paid us for the journey to the
b Zach and return through beautiful and
scenery. On wander through
the nost enlightened and homelike COM
munity in the state of Oregon being the
Willamette valley, whose level prairies are
dotted here and there with orchards and
farm houses.
How glad we are to the plow shares
turning the fertile soil and making ready
for the sowing of grain. We must say
that civilization is the greatest resource of
of this grand and glorious republic.