The Mountains Of Oregon

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.