If you are into to history and experiencing a little of what travel might have been like on the Oregon Trail before the advent of modern conveyances and engineered high-speed routes, there is something very special about this ride. As you travel west through the timber toward the Tollgate historical site, you can almost imagine hearing the creaking and groaning of overburdened wagon wheels, the braying of oxen, the excited chatter of children sensing they are near the end of the dangerous trek that has taken months to make. At least this is a little of what it was like for this rider on a beautiful fall day, a day that may have been much like one 150 years earlier.

In the early 1840s, Sam Barlow along with Joel Palmer found and constructed a southern route around Mt Hood from the Dalles, Oregon Territory, so they could avoid the danger, cost and a lengthy wait for a barge to transport their wagons down the Columbia River. After settling in the Willamette Valley, Sam later petitioned the Provisional Government of the Oregon Territory to open his route as a toll road for future wagon trains passing through. It was the first toll road on the Oregon Trail. For all of his work clearing and building the road and constructing the tollgates, he only made about $30 that first season.

This ride ends just beyond this replica of the historical Barlow Road Tollgate. Westward travelers passed this point on their way west of the Cascades and to points throughout the PNW.

Information about the Tollgate Maples

Tollgates in Transition

From the sign:
The last of the Barlow Road tollgates, located here from 1883 to 1918 heard the moan of wagon wheels give way to a grumble of gas buggies. Opened by pioneer Sam Barlow in 1846, this passageway was the first toll road on the Oregon Trail. Beginning in 1903, motorized autos continued the covered wagon's challenge of crossing the Cascades over the Barlow Road.

"Night of the second day brought us to the old Barlow Tollgate. It looked like any farm gate....But it was locked and there was no way around it. Thick logs and brush barricaded it on both sides. It was even a social occasion to meet the toll man, as we had not seen anyone since leaving Cherryville." Lottie Maybee Morris, 1900

With automobiles, more people used the road for recreation access. On Aug 29, 1903, John B. Kelley drove the first car through the gate and up the mountain. Kelly returned from Government Camp in the chugging motorcar with 5 pounds of snow!

During a later and very bleak time in our history, Franklin Roosevelt and the Federal Government developed the Works Projects Administration to generate and administer Federal work projects designed to put Americans back to work. It was a time of unprecedented growth in the size of the Federal structure but out of it emerged Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River and Timberline Lodge at the 6000' level of Oregon's highest peak, both of which were dedicated by FDR himself on a trip through Oregon. While some may say that these two Northwest fixtures are a mixed blessing regarding the impact they have had on our natural resources, there is no doubt that they are an integral part of the Northwest way of life and culture. It is from this magnificent mountain resort that this downhill cruise begins.

This downhill can start at historical Timberline Lodge, a WPA project during the Great Depression designed to help put people to work.

Trail Description: Where History was Made

One of the best downhills around Mt Hood.

This single track trip can be accomplished as an out-and-back or even a partial loop with the Still Creek Road as part of the return, but remember, it is a vertical gain of about 4500' over the 11 miles with the steepest portion of the climb on the Glades Trail.

Trail Map Link

View of Mt Hood from the rough-and-tumble Glades Trail

The Glades portion for the Lodge is the most technical on the descent as it is often quite loose and rutted. From the Glades Trail, stay right (follow the signs) onto the Crosstown Trail then connect with the Pioneer Bridle Trail at about the 4.5 mile point. A trailhead parking area with a trail map sign is here and the transition is well-marked. From Crosstown to the town of Rhododendron, the trail is much less challenging (read: dangerous for the novice) but the fun quotient goes way up for riders of all levels. There are very fast stretches, some tight switchbacks, natural and artificial jumps, bermed turns, and rolling portions that give a nice roller coaster effect.

Single trackin' it Oregon Trail style.

Getting There, Permits and Parking

Perhaps the best place to drop your pickup vehicle in in the Tollgate Campground which is a trailhead then proceed on up to your preferred starting trailhead.

There are many trailheads to jump onto this combination depending on the time you have for the ride, ability or trail style preferences. For the more experienced rider, the Glades Trail at Timberline Lodge is a great place to start. For those not interested in the challenge of the Glades, the Summit Ski Area and parking is a great place to start. To cut off a couple more miles, start at the Glacier View Snopark west of the town of Government Camp. You can park permit free in the business loop of Government Camp, jump on at the Skiway or Maggie's Trail trailheads and turn west on Crosstown.

For the Timberline/Glades Trail access from the west or east sides of Government Camp, Oregon: Take US 26 toward Government Camp. Just east of the business loop, turn north onto the Timberline Lodge Road, proceed 8 miles and park in the Lodge lot.

For the Summit Ski Area Parking and Trailhead: From US 26, turn onto the east end of the Government Camp business loop and proceed straight ahead.

For the Glacier View Snopark Trailhead: Proceeding on US 26, at 0.5 miles west of Government Camp, turn north into the Glacier View Snopark. There is a sign at the highway. The trailhead is on the east side of the parking lot and is at an elevation of 3600'.

For the Skiway/Maggie's Trailheads: Proceed 0.3 miles from west end of business loop and look for trailhead sign.

Northwest Forest Passes are required for trailhead parking at all locations other than in the Government Camp business loop. These can be purchased for $5.00 per day or $30.00 per season and are available at the Zig Zag Ranger Station or various vendors around the US 26 corridor.

When to Bike

Depending on Winter snow levels, this should be a June/July-November ride.