MT. HOOD'S INFAMOUS OREGON TRAIL
TOURS
Special Class Editions
Sponsored by:
Cascade Geographic Society
P.O. Box 398
Rhododendron, Oregon 97049
These are very popular field trips so
sign-up early and reserve by calling (503) 622-4798.
Through the years, it has become tradition
for many schools to visit the Oregon Trail on Mount Hood with the Cascade
Geographic Society, and this would be an ideal adventure for you, your class,
and parent helpers. Some come during the Autumn season, while others come in the
Spring.
These are very popular field trips so sign-up early and reserve a
full day or even two by
calling (503) 622-4798.
Please note these tours are generally arranged for school groups - see below for specifics on
costs,
maps, and other
general
information.
Some schools have elected to come both in the Autumn and Spring so that they can
see those areas of the Oregon Trail that are generally closed. They begin their
unit in the Fall and conclude toward the end of the school year. The Cascade
Geographic Society provides a special timeline so that the progress of the
emigrants traveling over Mt. Hood can be followed by the class. The Spring trip
is not only a perfect wrap-up to the unit, but a reward for studying hard and
learning about a most intriguing part of the history of the westward movement.
Bring history alive by taking advantage of this field trip opportunity where you
can follow in the wake of the "Prairie Schooners". The sites that will
be visited during this day-long excursion include emigrant graves and campsites,
wagon ruts and swales, primary and secondary routes, tollgates, stream
"fords", Summit Prairie, Pioneer Woman's Grave, Devil's Half-Acre, Barlow Pass, and much more, including the infamous Big Laurel
Hill, where pioneers were forced to lower their covered wagons down over its
dangerously- steep cliffs. This special interpretative tour will be enhanced
with multi-cultural stories of the past about the Native Americans, the emigrant
travelers, and the African-American pioneers who came West."
MEETING PLACE:
Stage Stop Road Interpretative Center, 24525 East Welches Road --- located at
the junction of Welches Road & Stage Stop Road in the Village of Welches.
ORIENTATION SESSION:
This
will be held at Stage Stop Road Interpretative Center so that students can get
more information about the tour. Also, this
will provide an opportunity to go through the Center, which is filled with
artifacts from the Oregon Trail as well as those representing Native American
culture, pioneer settlement and homesteading, the early-day resort days on the
Mountain, and displays about fish and wildlife species. A gift shop is even
located on the premises.
TIME:
Varies.
This will be established between the teacher and the Cascade Geographic Society
on a case by case basis.
CANCELLATIONS:
Never! We go whether rain or shine! And, in extremely rare cases of snow, we
will always stay below the snow zone. There are plenty of Oregon Trail sites to
visit that will not be affected by snow, even in the Winter Season.
OREGON TRAIL/OLD-GROWTH
GUIDE & INTERPRETER:
Furnished by the Cascade Geographic Society.
TRANSPORTATION TO THE MEETING
PLACE:
This needs to be furnished by the
school and could be a bus, van, or cars.
TRANSPORTATION TO THE OREGON TRAIL/ OLD-GROWTH SITES:
This must be furnished by the school and the guide will accompany the participants.
LUNCH:
Sack lunch provided by the participants. We will find a place somewhere
alongside Mount Hood's Oregon Trail to eat or (if on odyssey tour) in
the Old-Growth Forest to eat, and, if necessary, at Stage Stop
Road Interpretative Center if weather factors determine that this is best..
CONFIRMATIONS:
The
Cascade Geographic Society will provide a written confirmation once the field
trip has been set-up. The $25 non-refundable deposit must be received within ten
days after the date has been set.
Payment is due immediately upon
arrival! A $25 non-refundable deposit must be paid in advance to insure your
field trip; you are not officially "booked" until this deposit is
received. This amount is applied to the
total amount due.
Tour #1 -- Four hour tour (Winter, Spring or Autumn Tours)
Cost: $3 per student or $65,
whichever is greater
[NOTE: 1 adult per 10 students is allowed
to come along on the tour free of charge; more than that number is $3 per
person.]
Tour #2 -- Five hour tour (Winter, Spring
or Autumn Tours)
Cost: $4 per student or $75, whichever is
greater
[NOTE: 1 adult per 10 students is allowed
to come along on the tour free of charge; more than that number is $4 per
person.]
Tour #3 -- Six hour tour (Winter, Spring
or Autumn Tours)
Cost: $5 per student or $85, whichever is
greater
[NOTE: 1 adult per 10 students is allowed
to come along on the tour free of charge; over that amount is $5 per person.]
Tour #4 -- Four hour tour (Wilderness Odyssey)
Cost: $3 per student or $65,
whichever is greater
[NOTE: 1 adult per 10 students is allowed
to come along on the tour free of charge; more than that number is $3 per
person.]
Tour #5 -- Five hour tour
(Wilderness Odyssey)
Cost: $4 per student or
$65, whichever is
greater
[NOTE: 1 adult per 10 students is allowed
to come along on the tour free of charge; more than that number is $4 per
person.]
Tour #6 -- Six hour tour
(Wilderness Odyssey)
Cost: $5 per student or $65, whichever is
greater
[NOTE: 1 adult per 10 students is allowed
to come along on the tour free of charge; over that amount is $5 per person.]
Tour #7 -- Barlow Trail --
length to be determined when scheduling
Cost: To be determined upon scheduling
"Mount Hood Oregon Trail
Maps" are available for 50¢ each and are so popular that they have become
a collector's item. These are 8 1/2" by 11" in size, have the map of
the Oregon Trail over Mount Hood, and on the reverse is a graph that shows the
number of emigrants who utilized this rugged section of the trail through the
Cascade Mountains. They are printed on recycled paper, and are in a heavy-duty
plastic sleeve that goes into a three-ring binder or can even be used in the
field. Order prior to your field trip by calling (503) 622-4798, or you can
purchase them when you arrive.
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