The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1916-05-25
HOOD RIVER TRIP
TREAT FOR MOT0RlST

(By Chester A. Moores. automobile
editor, in Sunday Oregonian.)
The motorists of Portland and Ore
gon have q rare treat in store for them
this spring, providing they are willing
to act on the recommendation that
they make the trip from Portland to
Hood River and through the beautiful
valley of orchards bearing the latter
proper name.
That such a trip is well worth two
days of anybody's time. especially now
when the wild flowers, verdure and
orchards look their best, was thorough
ly demonstrated a week ago. when
Frank C. Riggs. the Packard distrib-
utor in this territory, was the host on
a Packard 0regonian touring expedition
commissioned by the touring committee
of the Portland Automobile club to
compile the official log Of the Columbia
river highway:and its continuation.
In making the trip to Hood Rier the
motorist hardly needs tourbook since
for almost the full distance there is
only one road to follow and little
chance of getting off the pathway even
if one tried. The Columbia river high
way is paved to point beyond Stone,
which is slightly beyond Warrendale.
and about Al miles east of Portland.
1t is Just beyond this point that the
only four or FIVE miles of rough road
spread across both sides of the boun-
Diary line which divides Multnomah
from Hood River county. This terri
tory is within the national forest and
its wooded sections have kept few
portions of the road rather damp, al
though there was mighty little mud a
week ago.
Road crews were busy near the end
Of the line in both counties, and all OF
the burrows and bumps caused by trav-
ell during wet weather may by this time
be ironed out. Certainly any automo-
bile at all sturdy, and with reasona.
BILE amount of clearness, could have
slid over the parallel ruts. Unless
these road eruptions have been fiat.
tened out, however. these four or five
miles of road would present difficulties
during periods of heavy rains.
There are two marvellous concrete
bridges in this section that have been
studied by few Portlanders, the unique
Tanner creek bridge and the Eagle
creek bridge. the latter being won.
derful span of concrete covered with
rock. There was less than half mile
of crushed rock on the road week ago
to cut tires, but this handicap may be
worse as paving activities are pushed
forward.
Beyond the several mile stretch
above referred to, there is nothing be.
tween here and Hood River, a total
distance of 70 miles, that will bother
motorists during the balance Of the
present season. Much of the road in
Hood River county is rather narrow.
making fast travel dangerous in many
places. but the surface of the road is
for the most part satisfactory and
everywhere there are evidences of the
activity of the county commissioners.
The last few miles of the road just this
side of Hood River are of the character
which most motorists prefer to pave.
meDt.
The great scenic wonder at Mitchells
Point, and the five-windowed tunnel
through the rocky point, is difficult to
comprehend, and even more difficult to
describe, as is much of the wild scenery
at the upper end of the highway. Most
Portland motorists already are familiar
with the wonderful scenery Of the CO.
lumbia highway in this county, and
they must also see the Hood River
chapter of the highway in order to ap-
preciate its wonders.
Is of different character than the
lower part of the highway, and hardly
as alluring, but those who love to gaze
skyward at tall crags that are up
stairs some," to steal MIR. Gathers
phrase, are certain to be fascinated.
From the heart of Portland to the
Hotel Oregon in Hood River, most
speedsmeters record approximately 70
miles. Under present conditions this
distance can be covered in three hours.
but to enjoy the trip to the full, stop
at the various waterfalls, take pictures
and pick flowers. etc., at least an addi-
tional hour should be given.
As matter of fact, no motorist
should make the round trip to Hood
River within the course of one day.
The bare round trip easily can be made
in that time, but there are so many de-
lightful trips radiating from Hood
River that at least day and half,
or two days, should be allotted for the
trip. By leaving Portland Saturday
noon and putting up at Hood River
that night, a full appreciation can be
gained of the valley the next day, and
the return trip made to Portland that
night.
By ferrying across the river to White
Salmon, WASH. the motorist can enjoy
delightful drive to Trout Lake, at
the base of Mount Adams, some n
miles distant from White Salmon, or
can continue east to the Maryhill coun-
try.
1t is hardly yet advisable to attempt
the drive south from Hood River to
Cloud Cap Inn, but the road has for
some time been open as far as Mount
Hood Lodge. where Homer Rogers
holds forth all year long. This Mount
Hood road, which goes up the west side
of the river, is the one followed last
week in going to the DEVILS Punch
Bowl.
For all of the distance to fuckers
bridge, this highway is in splendid con-
dition. Soon after passing the bridge.
however. the road for the DEVILS Punch
Bowl forks to the right and then for
few miles the road is good and fair
only.
The Punch Bowl is a wonderful bit of
scenery that few Oregonians appear to
appreciate. In fact, we didn't intend
going there until we were within few
miles of it. and therefore did not keep
an accurate log of the road. But ask
anyone in the Hood River valley how
to get to the DEVILS Punch Bowl and
you will never regret having made the
trip. We found it a most delightful
place to eat picnic lunch.
After gazing a good long time at the
Punch Bowl. or visiting at Mount Hood
Lodge. ii might be we'll to journey back
over the Barrett road past the quaint
farmhouse now occupied by Mr.. and
Mrs. E. W. Birge. 1t was in this old