mhlooph.html

History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon.
Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

FIRST TRIP MADE AROUND MT. HOOD ON LOOP HIGHWAY OCTOBER 9, 1924.

From the Hood River Glacier of October 16, 1924.

Although in the course of the jaunt of 150 miles, they encountered snows, and wintry gusts that characterize mid-winter on the lower levels, a caravan of local folks, who Wednesday, Oct. 9, made the first pilgrimage from here around Mt. Hood over the new loop Highway, returned delighted and breathing new laudatious of the new scenic thoroughfare. Without exception every man and woman declared that in 1925 the Mt. Hood Loop Highway will be the season's sensation among motorists, both at home and those lured from other states to glimpse the charm of Oregon's mountains, forests and rivers and taste the delights of her summertime climate.
The recent journey of Hood River folk, who traveled in four cars formed the first caravan to tour the newly opened road from hero, was brought about by the desire of Rev. Troy Shelley, pioneer valley minister, who in 1848, was carried down Laurel Hill by his mother. His father was busy at the time, negotiating the almost impassable hillside with the wagon and ox team. So steep was the grade that it was necessary to tie trees behind the wagon, their drag acting as a brake. Mr. Shelley has long been interested in the new Loop Highway. Before it was completed he drove, by way of The Dalles and Wapanitia, several years ago in his buggy, in order that ho might inspect the old route. He found the immigrant trail overgrown, but after a half century of time the marks left by the wheels of the prairie schooners and ruts cut into the hillside by the tree brakes still remained.
Mr. Shelley, who lacks a few months of reaching 80 years, is like Ezra Meeker in his zeal to have the Old Oregon Trail and Barlow route properly marked. It is his wish that those who travel today in magnificent, high-powered cars, may see how the pioneers to Oregon accomplished the almost impossible, with the clumsy vehicles of their day. Mr. Shelley traveled in the pilot car of the caravan, an Oakland touring car, driven by J.F. Volstorff. In digressing it may be said that the Oakland performed marvelously, Mr. Volstorff demonstrated the efficiency of the four wheel brakes.
Although the road at the higher altitudes was covered with a skim of snow, he was able to bring it to instant control on level.
A.D. Moe and C.S. Reeves rode in the pilot car with Rev. Troy Shelley and the driver. Parkdale was reached in 27 minutes from Hood River and Homestead Inn in 45 minutes, where the passengers disembarked and were served with a sumptuous breakfast by Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Hannum. At the bottom of the canyon, but a few feet above the tumbling East Fork the road crosses to the east bank.
The East Fork is left at Sahale Falls where the 90 ft. deep canyon is spanned by a concrete bridge. The summit is Bennet Pass which has an elevation of 4,200 feet. The caravan stopped at Arrah Wannah for lunch leaving at 3:30. The distance traveled was approximately 150 miles in the round trip. Those included in the caravan were Mr. and. Mrs. C.A. Bell, Rev. Troy Shelley, A.D. Moe, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Johnson and son Fred Jr., C.D. Havens, Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Morse, W.A. Huckaby, Walter McDougal, C.S. Reeves, J.F. Volstorff, and Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Hannum.