Daily camera., 1901-09-26
INCENTIVE 10 CLIMB.
1ystefieus Oregon Heights Never
Scaled BY White Men.
Expleelng Party - UnAereaks sAs A.
esnt Of Beacon Resk, 0as-EsAo
Wa4oA TowoR 81 lAA1oAo
Of That VaelAlty.

or. q IL 10 moro fsmiliarly called,
Castle Rock. situsted about 30 miles
from Portland ~ the bird dies. has
reared aloft its rugged contour, defy
ing ell but the bravsst to scale its
SCARED and precipitous sides. 30 far
~ known NO white man has ever suc-
ceeded In reaching It's summit. and
probably century has elapsed since
the last of the great Indian chief
tAins was laid to rest on its summit,
says the Portland Oregonian.
What win eventually prove TO be
one Of the most exciting and inter
esting trips ever made in the Pacific
northwest win be undertaken in the
near future. At that time party
now being organized for the purpose
will undertake the ascent. The party
will consist OF limited number, and
will be accompanied by . competent
Indian guide, and will be under the
leadership Of Frank J. Smith and
Walter T. Sswsll, two oM-tims en-
ployes Of the Regulator line Of this
city.
Beacon Rock, which 10 situated
about IS miles from Portland by the
water route. 10 probably 1000 feet in
height. but A. no measurement Of
the height has ever been taken, IL 10
impossible to give an accurate figure.
Its base covers an extent OF ground
equal to l3N acres, and et the top
IL measures At least an acre In sx-
tent. From this II can readily be
seen that the sides are prseipitous
and the perils accompanying the ~
cent are great.
On account of the unwilhng,aess Of
the Indians residing In the vicinity
TO impart any Information concern
ing the use of the rock In past cen
turies aa burial ground. IL has been
impossible to get definite information
concerning that rite, which II held
90 sacred among the red men. Vague
rumor has it. however. that for ages
the summit OF this almost inaccsssi-
BILE rock was the last resting place
OF all the great chieftains Of the
tribe Of the GonAwanians.
From the base OF Beacon Rock 70
the foot OF the ruined abutment of the
Bridge OF the Gods ths surrounding
country Is strswn with Indian relics
and the bleaching bones Of the abo-
Yigines. This whole country u rich
in romantic legend. and one ean
scarcely set foot at any point here
abous that has not been drenched
with the blood Of the early settler OF
his savags foe. II 10 but . few miles
from here In one direction to where
Gen. Grant spent the earlier days OF
his life. and in 1850 the very ground
was the scene Of a terrible Indian mas
sacrs. At this time Col. Steptos came
To the rescue with two companies from
The Dalles, and dashing Phil Sheridan
with one company from Vancouver
Sheridan Point, situated . short die
tance below the lockA IL named for
him.
After the party has made the asce nj
OF Beacon Rock Il 10 proposed 70 ex.
tend the trip to take in the ruins OF
the Bridge of the Gods. From, the tor
of the ruined abutment the view Il
magnificent the Columbia being visi-
ble for miles both east and west and
the Willamette ~ far south - Eu.
gene. The party will be made up OF
! men interested In scientiAc research,
and will be accompanied BY photng-
raphsrs. CommunteAvi Won with Port.
land will be attempted BY means OF
the heliograph. and The party will be
thoroughly equipped with all apph'
ances both for safety and comfort.
That q trip of such an unusual na.
ture il TO be undertaken. coupled with
| the fact that Portland lies almpst il
the shadow of this historical section
will lend an added interest 70 the out.
ing. and when II is understood tha,
the entire trip win not occupy NOR.
than four days II IL not TO be won
dered at that many eager inquirer
are being made concerning it.
1t 10 . peculiarly interesting fac,
that . few miles north Of the abut
ments on the Washington aide OF the
Columbia il mountain known ~ Ssai
mountain. Near its summit are the
remains of three distinct lines Of forti
hcations, dating back TO some prehis
toric age. and probably erected by ,
race well advanced IN civiliza tion
Near the base Of Star mountain 10 Z
strongly defined trail worn in sh.
rock. at some places TO . depth OF
4 from one to two feet. II shows the
route followed in the early days by th.
Indians travelling from the plains o.
eastern Oregon to the lower Columbia
F, and Willamette valleys.