"In the Gorge section, state park history began in 1922 with the purchase of certain small tracts for the protection of slopes along the Hood River loops."

1946 State Parks Report: Hood River Loops - Development Area

The Hood River Loops Development Area, is made up of small wayside units situated at the junction of the Columbia River Highway and the Mount Hood Highway, and bordering the loops of the rising main highway, just east of Hood River. The junction tract is described as being Lot 1, 2, and 3, Block 1, of Reynolds addition to Hood River, the deed date February 4, 1931. The tracts bordering the loops, aggregating 4.20 acres were purchased in three parcels, described as being in Section 31, Township 3 North of Range 11 East, W.M., Hood River County, Oregon. The deed dates being May 22, June 13 and September 12, 1922.

The lots at the junction of the highways were acquired for extra right of way and the loop tracts were obtained to prevent encroachments upon the banks of the ascending loops, where there were usable gravel deposits. No park improvements of any kind have been made up to this time.

W. A. Langille

State Parks Historian

December 5, 1945

Recommendations:

They should be left in their natural state.

S. H. Boardman

State Parks Superintendent

March 25, 1946

ODOT, HCRH Completed Projects

Rock Quarry Reclamation

Part of the West Trailhead project was the reclamation work to re-grade the abandoned Koberg rock quarry to give it a more natural look and to install a large variety of native plants and natural grass seed. Most of the plants were grown at Milestone Nursery in Lyle, Washington. Ponderosa Pine, Nootka Rose, Red Flowering Currant, Barrett's Penstemon, and Oregon Sunshine are just a few of the plants on site.

The second phase of the West Trailhead project is complete. The abandoned Hanel Quarry, which is just east of the former Koberg Quarry, has been reclaimed. The site will be used for overflow parking for the West Trailhead.

Links

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the highway