THE
MOUNTAINS
OF OREGON

BY

W. G. STEEL,

Fellow of the American Geographical Society.


PORTLAND, OREGON:
DAVID STEEL, SUCCESSOR TO HIMES THE PRINTER,
169-1/2 Second Street.

1890.

Copyright, 1889, by W. G. Steel.

Preface.

This little volume has not been written with the expectation of accomplishing a mission, or even attracting general attention, but simply to put into permanent form a small portion of information that is constantly appearing in newspaper articles. Such information usually comes from abler pens than mine, but it is all the more pity that it is not in proper shape for future use. If it amuses, entertains or instructs those who peruse it, its aim will be accomplished, and its author satisfied.

There is, however, a word of explanation due for the manner in which it is arranged. It was not begun with the intention of publishing a book, but in response to numerous requests received for descriptions of Crater Lake and Mt. Hood. As it was impossible at the time to answer them satisfactorily, it was decided to print a letter on each subject, and issue as a small pamphlet. Before this was accomplished the discovery was made that the space allotted was entirely inadequate, so, acting on the advice of friends, this form was adopted; too late, however, to prevent the present arrangement.

W. G. S.

CONTENTS.

• PAGE
  
• Crater Lake 12
• Exploration Department, Oregon Alpine Club 73
• Game Protective Department, Oregon Alpine Club 77
• Illumination of Mount Hood 3
• Josephine County Caves 34
• Mount Rainier 55
• Night on the Summit of Mount Rainier 43
• Oregon Alpine Club 67
• Oregon Alpine Club, Constitution 69
• Oregon Bibliography 85
• Our Mountains in War 40
• Photographic Department, Oregon Alpine Club 79
• Preface 1
• Presidents of the Oregon Alpine Club 82
• Statement of Rev. Peter Stanup 57
• Thoughts on the name Tacoma 59
• Topical Index 109
• What They Signify 52

ILLUMINATION OF MOUNT HOOD.

Mount Hood is located in the Cascade range in Oregon, twenty-five miles south of the Columbia river. It is about twelve thousand feet high, and is visible over a large part of the State. Above an elevation of five thousand feet it is covered with perpetual snow. It stands sixty miles east of Portland, a monument of beauty, and the pride of Oregon. In the spring of 1885 the idea originated of illuminating it with red fire. An effort was made to carry this into effect on the following 4th of July, but failed for the reason that, instead of staying with it over night, a system of clock work and acids was devised, which was perfectly willing to do the work assigned, but an ugly avalanche came along at four o'clock in the afternoon, broke the bottles of acid and set the whole thing ablaze. In 1887, the Celebration Committee of Portland, decided to make the trial, and placed the matter in charge of the writer, who was accompanied by N. W. Durham, correspondent of the Oregonian, O. C. Yocum, photographer, Dr. J. M. Keene, J. M. Breck, Jr., C. H. Gove and Chas. F. Adams. More agreeable, determined and competent associates I never met. Breck was a cripple, finding it necessary at all times to walk with a crutch, yet, a better mountain climber is hard to find.

Everything being placed in readiness, we left Portland at 6 o'clock a.m., Friday July 1st, and reached Government Camp at 5 o'clock in the afternoon of the second. From this point, the mountain rises to the north in all its beauty and grandeur, with timber line apparently within a few rods, instead of four miles, the actual distance. Here the wagons were left, and two horses were packed with blankets and provisions, and our journey was resumed as soon as possible. It was necessary to cross two small streams, over both of which the bridges had fallen, so we were compelled to carry