Tour Announcement: Barlow Road 8-16

[Jeepers]

Are those campsites just big enough for one tent or can you fit a couple there?

[nightfoam]

Well I don't know what the rates are like for the Best Western but we will actually be meeting at the Huckleberry Inn in Government camp and it seems their rates aren't TOO bad. In fact, I just looked up the Best Western for that weekend and there aren't any rooms available... Obvious choice?

I think we're going with a hybrid of b and c...

Incase you didn't catch that, departure at about 930 from the Huckleberry Inn Restaurant on Government Camp road in the center of Government Camp. You're welcome to come early and eat delicious breakfast, I know I will!

[nightfoam]

Aww two messages while I was typing....

Yeah, they're pretty good sized sites, I seem to remember room for several tents.

Yay for winging it!

[nightfoam]

BACKROAD DRIVERS NORTHWEST
_________________________________
Tour Announcement
Barlow Road Tour
August 16th, 2008
(cue the Rawhide theme music)
Imagine, bumping along the dusty train in a covered wagon. Going day after day without a chance to bathe. Coated in dust. Fighting bugs. Hoping your animals don't die. Fording rivers. Not knowing with the next mile will bring you. Possibly death?
Now, imagine doing that in the comfort of your pickup or suv. Not so bad? Thats what this tour is all about, a little bit of history and a little bit of comfort.
We will be following the old Barlow road, a toll road built by Samuel Barlow to bypass the dangerous rapids on the Columbia river between The Dalles and Cascade Locks. The Barlow road had its own dangers though; steep hillsides and cliffs, fast-flowing rocky mountain streams, bitterly cold winters. Fortunately, there are switchbacks and bridges now and we'll be doing this in the summer.
This trip will have both historical information and beautiful scenery as we travel from the cold wet forests of Government Camp down the east slopes of the Cascades through mountain meadows and high pine forests through range land and down eventually to the Deschutes River where one path to the Barlow road made one of the first bridged crossings of the river.
The meeting will be at the Huckleberry Inn (www.huckleberry-inn.com) in Government Camp at 930 Saturday morning. After kicking the tires we'll head out. You're welcome to come early as I know I'll be enjoying the delicious huckleberry pancakes for breakfast.
I'll be in my blue Jeep Cherokee with the Backroad Drivers sticker in the rear window. We'll be on CB 22 for later arrivers.
Hope to see you there!

[hutchman]

I would love to make this one, but just will not be able to. I wonder if this can be done in my pickup, or do you need a short wheelbase vehicle?

[nightfoam]

Originally Posted by hutchman

I would love to make this one, but just will not be able to. I wonder if this can be done in my pickup, or do you need a short wheelbase vehicle?

Yes, it can be done no problem

[Toy Man]

I drove down the upper section of the Barlow Road today (Friday - 18 July).

I took the turnoff at the Pioneer Woman's Grave marker and drove the old highway to the start of the Barlow Road. Bumpy and rough at first. A small washout at the bottom of Hell's Half Acre but no problem. About a 1/4? mile further there was a large and deep sinkhole on the north side of the road. My Xterra and the Tacoma following me eased around it but a full width pickup might find it 'interesting'. 2x4 all the way. Took about 45 minutes to reach the crossing. Nice drive.

We then drove up to Badger Lake. Or rather tried to. Got stopped by snow drifts at the 5400' level.

Toy Man

PS: The gate at the turn off to the Still Creek campground was closed.
Not sure about coming in from the 'bottom'.

PSS: Overhanging brush on the Barlow Road might result in pin striping by Mother Nature. There were just a few patches.

The Barlow Road sink hole:

[madjp62]

sandra & i will be going for sure. will be camping. (have to figure where yet.)

[Jerry]

We are heading down on Friday afternoon, driving the old Lolo Pass route from Hood River to Zigzag, motel for the night and meet up with you in Government Camp on Saturday morning.
Jerry

[Toy Man]

In my wandering around Friday I saw a neat camp site.

Didn't look like an official site but it did have a 'standard' wooden table.
A quick look did not reveal a toilet, fire ring or water. Looked like there was space for 3 or 4 rigs.

Totally shaded by tall trees and on a small road that does not get much use. This is south of Timothy Lake. If you are headed south on NF42 (the paved road to Timothy Lake), turn right at 45 04.414N, 121 46.015W - about 2 1/4 miles south of the Timothy Lake turnoff and take the road (road 230?) to the left (straight) for about a third of a mile. You will see it on the left. And no - you cannot continue on the road to Timothy Lake. A short ways beyond the campground there was a fallen tree across the road. It had been cut out but only for ATV quads. My Xterra was not going to make it thru. I will have my chainsaw next time and might 'accidentally' cut it a little wider.

The Little Crater Lake campground just north of Timothy Lake looked nice but you will need reservations.

Toy Man