The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-09-12
MT. Hood as Seen from Lost lake.


Aside from their local association, their
iuisinsic beauty is recognized and has
made them popular wherever copies
have chaneed to circulate. Since the
first Of these famous photographs was
taken, four or five years ago, the in
creasing interest has led many photog-
Taphers, both amateur and professional,
TO undertake the somewhat tedious trip
for the sole purpose OF obtaining their
own negatives of the view.
When it is considered that the most
superb mountain scenery is here coupled
with many OF the features that 60 to
make camping-out enjoyable, one might
we'll wonder that the place has been Wis
tied by comparatively so small num-
ber OF plain campers = those who are
merely seeking an outing, and for whom
photography may have but secondary
interest, But when the difficulty of ac-
cess to the lake, and its distance from
lines Of travel and farms are regarded,
its present lack OF popularity as point
to be visited by scenery lovers and fish
ermen is in measure accounted for.
Speaking for myself, cannot see how
any one can look at photograph OF the
mountain from Lost Lake, and not be
stirred to take trip there for the sake
of the actual view Doubtless many
have been SO moved; but the impulse is
forgotten, or, if it remains, is not carried
out, in some cases because of lack OF
definite knowledge concerning the situ-
alton OF the lake and how to reach it.
Lost Lake is at an elevation OF from
5000 TO 1000 feet, and lies in the foothills,
about eight miles to the northwest OF
Mount Hood. As seen by the map, it is
triangle-shaped it averages mile and
Il half on side. A road from the town
OF Hood River covers the first Is miles
OF the trip, to the ford on the west fork
of Hood river: There, wagon or wheels
must be left, and fair mountain trail
followed through splendid woods for the
last 10 miles. The latter half OF this
trail is steep and long. Indeed, one is
well disposed to call the lake lost" in
fact as well as name, long before he gets
there. Do not look for signs posting
the presence OF yellow-jackets nests
that line the trail. Unfortunately no
one has considered it his duty to stop
and stick them up. Every party has to
run the gauntlet; they lay for the pack
horses and give them the worst dose.
Arrived at the lake, the majority OF
campers choose grove OF cedars at the
inlet to the lake. prefer the other
camp, where Clifford took his famous
view OF the mountain. There are ad-
vantages and disadvantages to consider
in the choice OF either. The mountain
is hidden from view by wooded point
for those who camp at the inlet. Gif-
ford's camp is on the shore directly op-
posite the mountain, so that the grand
est view is always in sight.
The time OF summer to visit the lake
may be chosen according to the visitors
tastes Two years ago | was there from
July 10 to Ii; the laurel and lupine
were still gloriously in bloom on the
mountain sides, and the woods were full
Of % kinds OF wild flowers, by count,
even for my Impractical eyes. | re-
member the anemones in particular !;
for size, quantity and beauty, these
about Portland cannot compare. This
year, from August Is to %, the feasts of
blueberries and huckleberries made me
swear that I'd never go there again ex-
cept IN huckleberry season. The fish
ing is excellent the summer through.
Hunting, however, cannot be cassed
with the attractions of the lake.
OF course there are discomforts and
inconvenience to put up with when one
camps so far from civilization. Ii you
stay long, canned foods become an
abomination milk and eggs are as un-
attainahle as the proverbial bees knees
and canary birds tongues. The lake
can sport no light canoe that answers
the deft stroke of paddle or completes
the picture of pristine wooded shores
with its graceful outline, or gently
scrapes the pebbled beach in landing
There is but one boat, which is the most
aggravating old ''lumberbuss" of tub
that ever leaked water to the desper-
alton OF the bailer; it rows as if it had
an anchor in tow. Well did some party
christen her the "Baier Gatzert." You
don't have to hunt mosquitoes with a
butterfly net at the inlet. | mention
this, for.you may observe upon your ar.
rival that they are big enough for bait.
Ii it rains, even joke in camp isn't
safe--if it's dry one
But all these irritations, all the tune
consumed, all the deprivation aud pos
sible Inconvenience, sink into insignif-
icance before the wonderful view
which the mountain affords at this
place. / have never visited, nor have
ever heard of better vantage point
than this from which to behold, to
adore and commune with the great
Oregon patriarch. The photographs
can give one only fitful HUT of the
impressive, ever-Changing beauty that
awaits The eyewitness. One day it
may be that the clouds completely en-
velop the peak, while only the mount
aims base, with snow struggling down
its deeper cefts, is visible. The dark
forest trees that brstIe on the mount
aims surrounding the lake combout the
rolling cloud banks into fugitive wells
of mist, and the water of the lake Is
black and cuIled with the wind.
When the weather breaks, and glad
riffs of blue begin to show in the hur-
ryiug cloud masses, then watch the
mountain! First 1t shoulders off those
clinging mists, and, crag by crag, gla-
cier by glacier, now hidden and now
glistening through with the virgin fall
of snow, finally it emerges, exquisitive-
~ clear cut against the washed blue, a
dazzling white in the fresh sunlight.
This have seen; it was wonderful!
Then for the mountain ut sunrise, at
sunset, 10y moonlight! My bed under
the trees lay SO that might see the
mountain clearly by merely raising my
head. The first time that the moon
was shining | happened to awaken
some time in the night. a glance at
the mountain brought me to sitting
posture. Shall the sight that met my
eyes ever become dim in my memory?
have it for mental picture that
would reconcile me In blindness, If
ever il should be mine TO bear such a
misfortune There was the full moon,
tnl risen to the left Of the emountaiu
peak; almost directly over the summit
Jupiter gluwcd like star of Bethle-
hem; only an occasional snowy spur of
the mountain caught the keen moon
beams: the rest Of the mass seemed lit
tie less than spirit, 50 weirdly did the
soft gray shadows bid the eye strain
for a more definite outline. Oh, and
-. H..l.,,.s tha xvbnta sO sitpntlv and