• Read more ...
• The route ...

• The Dalles to Tygh Valley
• Tygh Valley to Wamic
• Following the White River
• Following Barlow Creek
• Side Trip to Mount Hood
• Barlow Pass to Oregon Highway 35
• Summit Meadows to Government Camp
• Government Camp to Laurel Hill
• Descending Laurel Hill
• Laurel Hill to Rhododendron

• Rhododendron to Brightwood ... the Road Divides
  • Rhododendron ...
  • Rhododendron Route Segment ...
    • East Rhododendron Segment ...
    • West Rhododendron Segment ...
  • North Route and South Route ...
  • Rhododendron to Brightwood ... North Route
    • North Bank Route Segment ... (Rhododendron to Brightwood)
    • Rhododendron ... East Arlie Mitchell Road
    • Rhododendron ... Henry Creek Crossing
    • Following the Zigzag River ...
    • Zigzag River Road ...
    • East Mountain Drive and East Lolo Pass Road ...
    • Sandy River ... "Upper Crossing"
    • Following the Sandy River ...
    • East Barlow Trail Road ...
  • Rhododendron to Brightwood ... South Alternative of the Barlow Road
    • "South Alternative of the Barlow Road" ...
    • South Bank Route Segment ...
    • Re-crossing the Zigzag River and Crossing Still Creek ...
    • Zigzag Ranger Station ...
    • Wildwood Recreation Site ...
    • Heading North ...
    • Brightwood ...
    • Brightwood ... Salmon River
    • Crossing the Sandy River ...
    • North and South routes rejoin ...

• Following the Sandy River ... Brightwood to Sandy
• Crossing the Sandy River
• Sandy to Eagle Creek
• Crossing the Clackamas River
• Clackamas River to Oregon City

From the Rhododendron Tollgate Replica the path of the early Barlow Road heads northwest, briefly staying on the west side of today's Oregon Highway 26 until the community of Rhododendron, where it crosses the road and today is under the pavement of East Arlie Mitchell Road. The route then keeps to the ridge north of the Zigzag River and heads west to where the Zigzag River merges with the Sandy River just north of the community of Zigzag. Here the path crosses the Sandy about 1/3 mile above the junction with the Zigzag, at a spot known as the first or "Upper Crossing" of the Sandy River. Roads today following that general route are East Arlie Mitchell Road, Zigzag River Road, East Mountain Drive, and East Lolo Pass Road.

Excerpts from: 1993, Barlow Road Historic Corridor: Westernmost Segment of the Oregon Trail. "Condition of the Barlow Road route through the Rhododendron community is much like the Government Camp segment. The 3/4 mile segment has visible remains toward the east and west boundaries of the community and has apparently been substantially impacted by State Highway construction and commercial development through the town center. A short 320 foot "pristine" site section was identified in a residential area of east Rhododendron, traversing undeveloped lots near the north shoulder of State Highway 26 just west of the Tollgate Campground. The road section passes through a small parcel of U.S. Forest Service lands before joining the State Highway 26 alignment. This "pristine" site section, though situated in a dense vegetative area, is readily visible due to the marked rut with distinct earthen berms and treeless corridor. Boulders, possibly rolled aside by early road users, constituted part of the shoulder berms. ... East Rhododendron Segment ... "An excellent, short segment. The west end is on U.S. Forest Service lands which has been partially impacted by blading to enhance vehicular use. The character defining features of the excellent portion on private lands is pronounced, high shoulders as the traffic apparently wore deeply into the soft soil surface, numerous boulders displaced to the shoulders, and the lack of any substantial tree growth in the roadbed despite the dense woodland setting. Preservation of the historic setting is good with nearly residential and highway development shielded by an undeveloped woodland setting immediately along the route. The segment is potentially imperiled by its proximity to the State Highway 26 right-of-way north boundary and pending highway widening projects. Natural erosion threats are minimal. There are no associated historical features. Integrity of this segment is good for design, setting, materials and feeling. The location is generally in conformance with 1898 survey plats. Its association with the Barlow Road has been further substantiated through contacts with local informants. It is the best preserved portion of the Barlow Road in the Rhododendron community ..." ... [Beckham and Hanes, 1992] The Barlow Road route then courses westward through the town center, generally following the State Highway alignment. It is possible the route veered slightly to the south of the current highway alignment through town, but no distinctive remains were found to substantiate this possibility. This section of the route has been heavily impacted by highway construction and commercial/residential development. However, situated only a few hundred feet north of the highway in the town center is an open wet meadow apparently corresponding with one mentioned in emigrant diaries used for briefly grazing livestock while moving through the area. ... At the west perimeter of the meadow is a large log residential structure apparently built before 1907. Just west of the town center of Rhododendron, the route becomse visible again in the form of a "used" site section currently servings as a driveway for several residences. The section was formerly labelled Chinook Lane, but the public road has since been abandoned. This "used" segment winds through the residential area of west Rhododendron, north of the State Highway and drops down two river terrace bluffs before a short "pristine" road section terminates at a small open meadow, known locally as "Pioneer Meadow". The meadow, located on public lands on the east bank of the Zigzag River, was apparently much larger but has been diminished by various episodes of highway construction through the past 70 years. West Rhododendron Segment ... "Most of this Barlow Road segment is curently used as driveways for several residences. A portion of the segment was formerly used as a single lane private road, Chinook Lane. A part of that former lane that is now used as a residential drive has pronounced earthen berms and numerous boulders aligned along both shoulders, much like the east Rhododendron segment. Only a very short segment remains in "pristine" condition, located at the very west end of the segment as the route enters a natural meadow feature known locally as Pioneer Meadow. This shourt section has pronounced earthen berms on both shoulders as it curves down a bank to the meadow floor. The meadow appears to be on public lands immediatly adjacent to private lands and has been largely impacted by State Highway 26 construction. The meadow likely marks the crossing point by the emigrants of the Zigzag River. Portions of this segment have been totally eradicated by installation of a drainfield and construction of Mitchell Road. Obviously, the historic setting has been greatly altered by the built environment of residences and roads. In sum, much of this segment, through still recognizable and supported by historic accounts, has been largely compromised by modern-day development. The segment rates low in integrity of design, setting and feeling. Integrity of location and association has been established through original surveyors' notes and early Rhododendron town maps. ..." ... [Beckham and Hanes, 1992] Three closely spaced 1898 "Mount Hood Toll Road" surveyor observation points are located in close proximity to the meadow immediately south of the State Highway alignment. These surveyors points essentially mark the pioneer crossings of the Zigzag River and Still Creek. This western "used" portion of the road varies greatly in integrity including a near-"pristine" section immediately east of Arlie Mitchell Road which winds slightly and has pronounced shoulder berms of earth and displaced boulders. ..." Source:    Clackamas County (Or.), 1993, Barlow Road Historic Corridor: Westernmost Segment of the Oregon Trail: Background Report & Management Plan, Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development.

The Barlow Road opened in 1846 and, while it generally followed the same path over the years, the route did change. Problems developed and improvements were made.

The 1882 Cadastral Survey (Tax Survey) map for T2S R7E shows the "South Alternative" route with the path of the Barlow Road going from Rhododendron to Brightwood following the south side of the Zigzag and Sandy Rivers and then keeping south of the Sandy River and north of the Salmon River. Today's Oregon Highway 26 roughly parallels this route. This southern route of the Barlow Road crosses the Sandy River west of Brightwood, near the Sandy's junction with the Salmon River just. From there the route turns north and connects with the northern route of the Barlow Road and heads to the Marmot area and the Devil's Backbone.

Excerpts from: 1993, Barlow Road Historic Corridor: Westernmost Segment of the Oregon Trail. "The approximate six mile North Bank segment is the most problematical of the Barlow Road segments. Apparently, the original route closely followed the north bank of the Sandy River, primarily using the lower river terrace. ... A long segment of the North Bank was severely impacted by the December 1964 flood and subsequent river stabilization activities by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In some areas, the major portion of the terrace itself disappeared in the flood. In addition, much residential development has occurred immediately along the river course and the current county road likely follows some of the same alignment as the earlier emigrant road. Therefore, approximately the first 4 miles of the Barlow Road route from the projected river crossing above Brightwood downstream to the Rock Corral site section yielded very little road remains. ... " Two short section of road remains were identified in this 4 mile section. A shallow swale was observed through a residential area near the north shoulder of the county road west of the intersection with McIntyre Road. ... Another short, but more distinct, rut was found on public lands near the confluence of the Salmon and Sandy rivers. This section, located near the south shoulder of the county road, is truncated by 1964 flood damage at its east end and merges with the county road at the west end. ..." Source:    Clackamas County (Or.), 1993, Barlow Road Historic Corridor: Westernmost Segment of the Oregon Trail: Background Report & Management Plan, Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development.

East Arlie Mitchell Road in the community of Rhododendron follows the general route of the Barlow Road, crossing Henry Creek before turning northwest where it becomes the Zigzag River Road and follows the north bank of the Zigzag River.

(T3S, R7E, Sec.11)

From the Rhododendron Tollgate Replica the route of the Barlow Road heads west, following the ridge north of the Zigzag River, crossing many tributaries into the Zigzag. One such tributary is Henry Creek, located approximately one mile from the Tollgate and now within the community limits of the town of Rhododendron.

(T3S, R7E, Sec.11)

(to come)

At one time the Zigzag River Road followed the old Barlow Road on the north side of the Zigzag River between the Oregon communities of Rhododendron and Zigzag. Today (2012) sections of the road are washed out and not drivable.

(T3S, R7E, Sec.2)

East Mountain Drive, the western segment of the washed-out Zigzag River Road, follows the Barlow Road route north of the Zigzag River. At the junction with today's East Lolo Pass Road, the Barlow Road route turns north, goes approximately 1/10 of a mile, and heads to the Sandy River where it crosses the river at what is now known as the "Upper Crossing".

(T2S, R7E, Sec.34)

Sandy River ... "Upper Crossing"

(T2S, R7E, Sec.34)

After following the north bank of the Zigzag River and crossing the Sandy River at the "Upper Crossing", the route of the Barlow Road heads west, following the north bank of the Sandy River for nearly 20 miles before it dips south to cross the Sandy River near today's community of Sandy, Oregon. Today this route is generally followed by the East Barlow Trail Road and SE Marmot Road.

For nearly six miles the East Barlow Trail Road follows the early Barlow Trail route and links the communities of Zigzag and Brightwood, traversing between the Sandy River's "Upper Crossing" and the junction with today's Marmot Drive. The "South Alternative Route" rejoins the original Barlow Road at Brightwood.

Sometime before the Survey of 1882, the route of the Barlow Road was relocated to the south side of the Zigzag and Sandy Rivers and to the north of the Salmon River. This is an area where pioneers were settling. This "South Alternative" route of the Barlow Road roughly parallels today's Oregon Highway 26. The route passes through today's Zigzag Ranger Station and Wildwood Recreation area, crossing the Sandy River near the junction with the Salmon, just west of the Oregon community of Brightwood. From there it turns north and connects with the earlier northern Barlow Road route to the Marmot area and the Devil's Backbone. Today this southern route from Rhododendron to Brightwood is referred to as the "South Alternative of the Barlow Road". In 1974 the Wildwood section of this "South Alternative of the Barlow Road" was added to the National Register of Historic Places (Event #74001679).

Excerpts from: 1993, Barlow Road Historic Corridor: Westernmost Segment of the Oregon Trail. "This segment, somewhat greater than 4 miles in length, traverses the broad river terraces along the south bank of the Zigzag and Sandy rivers. Due to the level character of the terraces, drainage is poor and many wet areas are present along the route. Vegetation is dense making visibility of road remains difficult in winter as well as spring and summer. Despite increased development in recent years immediately along the State Highway route, residential development away from the highway has progressed more slowly, consequently much of the route remains are largely unaffected. Two major site sections were recorded and two smaller, isolated sections were noted. The first major site section was identified at the east end of this major route segment between the communities of Faubion and Rhododendron. An approximately 1/2 mile "pristine" and "used" section courses through an undeveloped wooded area south of State Highway 26 and through the residential area of the former James Creighton homestead. Three primary structures constitute the homestead complex: the residence, a barn/garage and a lodge building. All are believed to date from around 1912. An old privy location was found south of the residential structure near the property boundary. It is likely the homestead was established to serve travelers on the old route during the early auto touring days. The "used" portion of the Barlow Road is the closest portion of the diveway to the building complex and the segment passing through the complex itself. The "pristine" portion is now used as a hiking trail for the present camp facilities, to the west of the residential/lodge area. The second major site section begins immediately west of a trailer court on the west side of Wemme community, and proceeds westward in "pristine" condition diverging from the south shoulder of State Highway 26 near the trailer court into an undeveloped wooded area behind residential and commercial developments fronting the State Highway east of Arrah Wanna Road. The old road course was more recently used as Chinquepin Road prior to ultimate abandonment. The course was only minimally improved, thus retaining the primitive road character today. Apparently, a power line did once follow the old road course as a fallen power pole was observed across the roadbed with threaded wooden insulator mounts still attached to the pole. The road course has been impacted by logging and residential development in both directions form its corrsing of Arrah Wanna Road but becomes evident again in a recent clear-cut further west. The road course again regains "pristine" condition west of the clear-cut area as it courses through a wet, wooded area toward the community of Wildwood. Through the Wildwood residential area, the road, still located south of the Sate Highway, becomes less evident in one wooded area and is used as a single lane residential road for one short section. The obscure, wooded short section through the Wildwood residential area is shown on the Clackamas County property map as an abandoned road way still labelled "Barlow Road". The road course again becomes a "pristine" segment in BLM's Wildwood Park where it continues westward from the Wildwood residential area, finally merging with the State Highway west of the park entrance. The point of merging marks the western terminus of this site section. Near the east boundary of the park, the road course passes an old log structure, located at the south end of Three Ring Road, that likely dates to the time of continued Barlow Road use. An 1882 surveyors wagon road observation point also occurs at this property boundary which corresponds to the presently observed road course. The predominant character of the road remains in this route segment includes a shallow linear swale extending through a treeless corridor, often with standing water within it and supportng the growth of "bear grass" and other ephemeral pond-associated plant species." Source:    Clackamas County (Or.), 1993, Barlow Road Historic Corridor: Westernmost Segment of the Oregon Trail: Background Report & Management Plan, Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development.

The Barlow Road first crossed the Zigzag River east of the Rhododendron Toll Gate. As the road reached the commumity of today's Rhododendron and the road split into North and South routes, travelers heading along the South Route had to once again cross the Zigzag River, and then 1/8 mile later they crossed Still Creek.

(T3S, R7E, Sec.2 and 11)

In 1986 the Zigzag Ranger station was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (#86000842).

(T3S, R7E, Sec.3)

The "South Alternative of the Barlow Road" runs through the Wildwood Recreation Site. There is an Oregon Trail historical marker just after passing the entrance to the recreation site.

"By 1847, the Barlow Road followed the south bank of the Sandy River through the present day Wildwood Recreation Area. Directly down the trail from this point lay the first crossing of the Sandy River with its swift waters and slippery rocks and then the steep ascent of the ridge known as Devil's Backbone. Oregon City was still an average of five days away." [Information sign, Wildwood Recreation Area, visited July 2012]

(T2S, R7E, Sec.31)

From the Wildwood Recreation Site, the "South Alternative of the Barlow Road" turns and heads north, passing through the Oregon community of Brightwood where it crosses the Sandy River and rejoins the original route of the Barlow Road.

The Oregon community of Brightwood lies between the Salmon River and the Sandy River, approximately one mile east of where the two rivers meet. The first post office for Brightwood was established in 1891 and was called "Salmon", because of its close proximity to that river. In 1910 the name was changed to "Brightwood", a name reflecting the pretty qualities of the area on a sunny day.

Brightwood is where the route of the "South Alternative of the Barlow Road" crosses the Sandy River and heads north to join the original Barlow Road route where it heads west towards Marmot and the Devil's Backbone.

(T2S, R6E, Sec.24)

The Salmon River lies less than one-half mile southwest of the community of Brightwood and is crossed by the Brightwood Loop Road, once a part of the Mount Hood Loop Highway, the pre-Highway 26 road. The Salmon heads on the southern flank of Mount Hood and 33.5 miles later it merges into the Sandy River at Sandy River Mile (RM) 37. The entire length of the Salmon River is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. The Brightwood Loop Road bridge crossing the Salmon River is a truss bridge with a total length of 220 feet and a 24-foot deck width. It was built in 1929.

(T2S, R6E, Sec.24)

North of the Oregon community of Brightwood the "South Alternative of the Barlow Road" crosses the Sandy River approximately 1/2 mile upstream from where the Salmon River meets the Sandy. Today the Brightwood Bridge Road crosses the Sandy approximately 1/2 mile further east.

(T2S, R6E, Sec.23)