Last updated: March 21, 2024
Place
Laurel Hill
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Off Highway 26, near Government Camp, Oregon
Significance:
Laurel Hill was once the site of the most difficult descent on the Oregon Trail.
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Amenities
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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Laurel Hill was once the site of the most difficult descent on the Oregon Trail. Laurel Hill Chute descends off the southern slopes of Mount Hood and the hill was a series of three steep declines.
For the descent of Laurel Hill, immigrants locked their wagon wheels and dragged huge logs under their wagons to slow their slide down the 60-percent grade. The repeated scraping of wheels and logs down the mountainside created a rocky “chute” that gradually grew impassable with use, forcing immigrants to find another place to lower their wagons. Several chutes were created in this area.
Site Information
Location (Highway 26, near Government Camp, Oregon)
Begin your visit at the large wooden informational sign at the north end of the pullout. A path (Laurel Hill Chute Trail 795A) climbs about 60 stone steps through the woods and up the hill to another segment of the historic Old Mt. Hood Loop Highway. At the top of the steps, turn right and walk along the macadam about 100 yards to the interpretive sign on your left. Here you are standing at the midpoint of a possible wagon descent chute. Above you the chute is heavily eroded. Now turn and look below the road. The original chute continued down to the flat area at the tree line.
From the edge of the road, the descent is about as steep as any other route down the face of Laurel Hill would have been in covered-wagon days. (Visitors are advised against using the narrow, steep trail next to the chute.) About another 100 yards past the chute, a footpath (Laurel Hill Chute Trail 795A) climbs 150 feet up a series of switchbacks to the top of the wagon chute, where visitors will find another interpretive sign and an impressive view of the descent. Retrace your steps back down to the pullout after your visit.