The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-09-09
BEAUTIES OF LOST
LAKE DESCRIBED

of which. mirroring the giant snow
peak of Mount Hood, are never forgot
ten by those bold enough to penetrate
the eXpanse Of virgin forests that have
hitherto kept it remote. will be found
next year as a result of the new Lost
Lake highway, according to Fred w.
Donnerberg, who has recently returned
from a journey to the sylvan shores.
Mr.. Donnerberg, who first penetrat-
ed the district aboard an Excelsior mo-
torcycle, the first to reach the remote
forests, with side car attached, was
unable to obtain pictures because Of an
unexpected fog that was blown in over
the district. On another trip he again
left here at the dawn Of perfect day,
returning with plates that gladdoned
his heart as he developed them. On the
! first journey he was accompanied by
his brother-in-law Alfred Dethman.
On the last trip Hermann Dethman,
another brother-in-law, who weighs
200 pounds, and SO pounds of baggage
occupied the little side car.
Lost Lake is q miles from the city
limits of Hood River A road, con-
Meeting with an existing county high
way, to the Lake was begun last year
| by the county and the United States
| Forestry service. The credit for an
early completion of this new forest
road, which has been a dream of pio-
neers for many years, must go largely
to the Hood River County Game Pro-
tective Association, whose members
succeeded in 1913 in securing a county
appropriation of 81, $50. This sum was
augmented by more than. 81, 900 raised
through a subscription campaign
waged by the game organization.
County crews cut new road through a
Jungle of rhododendron bushes to the
national forest boundary. Commission
er Hannum, in charge of the construc-
tion, completed his portion of the new
road last summer.
This summer he has been busy
Strengthening out the old county road
bewteen Dee and the confluence of the
Lake Branch and West Fork.
On his first trip to the Lost Lake
district Mr.. Donnerberg travelled to
the end of the completed grade. little |
more than two miles from the Lake in |
an hour and 55 minutes. The last trip, |
because of the heavy baggage and |
weight of Mr.. Dethman, required
longer time. He has the greatest |
praise for the work of the forestry |
crews, in charge of Jake Lenz, who |
with ID men is cutting fine grade
through the dense forest of cedar and
fir. The road. it is declared, will be
one of the most beautifusl of the Hood
River valley. The excavation is ex-
ceedingly heavy, as many giant trees
have to be blasted away 1t was hoped
that the new road would be open all
the way to the Lake by this fall Mr..
Lenz now thinks, however that it will
be next year before the last half mile
will be opened. At present automobiles
may travel to point within two miles
Of the famed body of water, and many
residents of the valley and out of town
points have parked their machines and
have hiked the remaining distance, in
order to get viewsof Lost Lake mir
roring the great snow peak. The total
length of the new road in the forest
reserve is approximately six miles. A
fir log gateway, re reminding those who
shrnes, has been reared at the forest
boundary.
"Mr. Lenz is certainly doing a good
job through the heavily timbered belt,
says Mr.. Donnerberg. "On our way in
the other day we met him several miles
toward the beginning of the route. We
placed him on the rear of the motor
cycle, and despite the heavy load Of
three men and baggage, the road was
so smooth that we made it in to the
forestry camp without the least
trouble. The new grade is smooth al
most as a city pavement. Even at mid
day, when the heat is shimmering in
the open.i is cool in the shaded vistas.
'The region is a paradise for fisher
men or camera enthusiasts. Especially
does one have opportunity for fine
views from Lost Lake on a clear, sun
nv day. A view of Mount Hood across
the crystal waters is awe inspiring.
Trout are found in the headwaters of
the Lake Branch and West Fork and in
the Lake. On our journey we caught
some excellent lake beauties from
raft. Sportsmen, however, are warned
to refrain from fishing in the inlet of
the lake, as this has been closed in
order that the trout may spawn unmo-
lested Although it is still necessary
to pack for two miles, many residents
of the city and valley and out of town
people have motored as far as possible
and have hiked the remaining distance
to to see Mount Hoods mirror, as some
have come to call the lake. Huckle-
berries thrive in hundred acre plots in
the vicinity of the lake, and the new
road will be utilitarian in that it will
permit the harvest of thousands Of
gallons of this fruit formerly largely
a waste. Already housewives, with
their supply of peaches and apricots
woefully short as result of the severe
winter, have filled pantry shelves with
lellies and jams of wild blackberries
growing luxuriantly on the logged over
areas near the confluence of the Lake
Branch and West Fork.
"a recreation party can spend days
in the Lost Lake vicinity engaged in
exploration of wild and rugged eoun-
Try. While big game is not plentiful,
native pheasant and grouse may be !
killed in season, and an occasional bear
g found near the huckleberry tracts.
Deer are scarce in the neighborhood
A few wild duck nest around the lake
and occasional flocks of other species !
# water fowl drop down for call.
The region is noisy at times with blue
avs. On our trip out we heard an in
spring screeching in a clump Of young
,edars. | was made to think of an in {
.ident one time in a Portland grille. A
portion Of the dining place had been |
enclosed for banqueters. The Bobby
Burns Society was holding forth. Sud
ienly the room was filled with noisy
concord | figured that every banquet.
r was playing a bagpipe. Then one
# the screens was removed and out
marched Col c. E.S. Wood, his leonine
read lifted. lie was followed by
ingle bagpiper. | thought surely the
,ther day that a whole covey Of JAYS
vas engaged in a scrap in those ce-
lars. Then out shot a pine squirrel
With a jay chattering at his back.
Unless | had actually seen the noise
maker, / would never have believed
hat one bird could create such a dis
urbarra