The Barlow Road began at The Dalles and headed south to Tygh Valley, which some folks consider the start of the Barlow Road. From Tygh Valley the trail turned west and followed the north bank of the White River before heading north and northwest through Barlow Pass and Government Camp. The road then generally followed the Sandy River to the community of Sandy, where the road turned west and ended up at Oregon City.

"In the fall of 1845, the Samuel K. Barlow party from Independence, Mo. arrived at The Dalles. They found they would have to wait weeks for passage and could not afford the high price of food for themselves and their stock. Having seen a notch in the south slope of Mt. Hood, Barlow decided that"God never made a mountain that had no place to go over it or around it," and headed south to find a way around Mount Hood. He was joined by several other parties, namely those of Joel Palmer and William Rector, until over 30 wagons made up the first train determined to cross the Cascades before winter snows fell.  ...   On October 11, Palmer, Barlow, and a man named Lock scouted ahead of the main party. They continued to the summit of the Cascades - later known as Barlow Pass, elevation 4,155 feet. Then they scouted the southern flanks of Mount Hood. Looming between them and the dreaded Columbia, the mountain stood snowy and immense. Palmer later recorded "I had never before looked upon a sight so nobly grand." But they could not linger. They crossed a wide, stony field, then sought a better view farther up the mountain. Finally, they came to a wide, steep-sided ravine, so deep the timber below resembled miniature Christmas trees. (They were probably looking across Zigzag Canyon.) Palmer's journal describes the spot: "A precipitate cliff of rocks, at the head, prevented passage around it. The hills were of the same material as that we had been travelling over, and were very steep." The men decided to climb higher up the mountain, hoping to see another path. Palmer, being the most hardy of the three, went on alone after snow was encountered. He probably ventured out onto Zigzag Glacier, climbing about one-third the distance from timberline to the summit, though his mocassins had worn thin and he traveled much of the distance barefoot. Meeting his companions again, they rejoined the road-building members of the party on Barlow Creek about 11 p.m. that night. After one more exploring trip, the group decided to build a cabin and store their belongings. They did not have time to build the road over the rough terrain between them and the Willamette Valley before the winter snows began. Two of the party started to Oregon City for fresh supplies. One man stayed behind at "Fort Deposit" as they called the cabin, as a guard. Then, in small groups, they made their way out of the mountains, some on foot, some on horseback. At least one woman rode a cow.   ... After the snowsmelted the following year, the groups returned for their wagons. Barlow petitioned the Provisional Legislature for the right to construct a toll road over the route taken by the party. With a partner, Philip Foster, Barlow began road construction. It was a difficult road to build. There were miles of thickets and dense timber to slash through. Swamps had to be "courduroyed." There were steep hills and strems to cross. Barlow petitioned for $4000 to construct the road; he had estimated a rate of $50 a mile. But even in those days this was not an adequate amount and supplies had to be bought on credit. By August 1846 the road was was ready for travel." Source:    Wasco History website, 2012, Barlow Trail, taken from the Mount Hood National Forest USDA Pamphlet #797-672/4.

• 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 Still Creek Campground ...
• Government Camp to Laurel Hill ...
• Descending Laurel Hill ...
• Laurel Hill to Rhododendron ...
• Rhododendron to Brightwood ... the Road Divides
  • Rhododendron to Brightwood ... North Route
  • Rhododendron to Brightwood ... South Alternative of the Barlow Road
• Following the Sandy River ... Brightwood to Sandy (Marmot Road and the Devil's Backbone)
• Crossing the Sandy River ...
• Sandy to Eagle Creek ...
• Crossing the Clackamas River ...
• Clackamas River to Oregon City ...

In 1974, the "Oregon Trail, Barlow Road Segment" (also known as "South Alternate of Barlow Road Segment at Woldwood Recreation"), northwest of Wemme, Oregon, was added to the National Register of Historic Places (Event #74001679), commemorating exploration, settlement, transportation, commerce, and social history (1825 to 1899).

In 1992, the "Barlow Road" (also known as the "Oregon Trail"), roughly north of the Salmon and the White Rivers from Rhododendron to southwest of Wamic, Mount Hood National Forest, was added to the National Register of Historic Places (Event #92000334), commemorating transportation, exploration, and settlement (1825 to 1924).