Barlow Road Hike

Overview

The Barlow Toll Road, built in 1846 by Sam Barlow, Philip Foster, and their crews, offered Oregon Trail pioneers a cheaper, more direct route into the Willamette Valley than the expensive and sometimes dangerous river passage from The Dalles. The route was not so easy, however. Barlow built his road using fire and ax. There was no digging or benching on the sides of hills: the road usually went straight up and over a pass. The first of these passes was what is now known as the Barlow Pass. The hike here follows the historic route of the Barlow Road down along the base of Barlow Butte to Klingers Camp. You’ll walk in wagon ruts, then on a trail, and then down a forest road built over the old trail into spectacular old growth at the southern end of Barlow Ridge. Vehicle traffic is light on this rutted road, which is also used by mountain bikers, so you can expect a fairly quiet journey. Head across the parking area to the trail junction at the picnic table (with garbage can) and fading ski trail map. Go straight downhill from here on an original track of the old wagon trail. Reach the rough and narrow vehicle road (FR 3530) and descend 40 yards to where the Barlow Butte Trail #670/Mineral Jane Ski Trail branches off to the left. The trail follows the wagon road down into deep old growth forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, silver fir, and Engelmann spruce. Look for some impressive Douglas-firs here. Reach the Barlow Butte-Devils Half Acre Trail Junction. It should be noted that this little meadow was the site of an excavation in 1976 during which a number of Oregon Trail artifacts were found. Based on this, some think the meadow was the site of Fort Deposit, mentioned in trail diaries, where a rough cabin once stood, and where late-arriving emigrants, wanting to travel light over the passes, left possessions and wagons for a late spring retrieval. Keep straight at the junction (left is to Barlow Butte). The trail crosses two small streams and drops gradually on an old road bed among large noble fir, silve

Trail Stats

Photos

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