At the beginning of the hike --
The group assembled and Liz gave us a little lecture on the history of the trail

At what are called the "chutes" the wagons had to go down some very steep banks

Unfortunately, the pictures do not show the steepness of the banks

The banks were so steep that it was very hard to hike up these rocky banks
Notice the placement of this hikers boots.

This was known as the longest hill in the entire 2000 mile journey

We started our hike at the grass meadow where the pioneers rested before starting down the journey's longest hill.

Diane told the group about the fascinating history of her family

She certainly can claim to be a real true Oregonian

Highway 26 wasn't even a dream when the Barlow Road was built

Now Highway 26 crosses the old Barlow Road.

Crossing Highway 26 was dangerous,
But like always Diane was prepared
Who knows, maybe she had been a school crossing guard

She and her flag were able to get the entire group across Highway 26 with no fatalities

This eight and a half mile hike was a piece of cake for these experienced hikers

Most of the trail was a wonderful hike through a beautiful forest

However, it was still important to be certain that ones boots were tied tight

The builders of "Old Highway 26" were more considerate of hikers than were the builders of the present highway 26.

They provided a tunnel for hikers on the Old Barlow Road.

A couple of happy hikers

We saw an old mine

Maybe some lucky miner found lots of gold here

This hike was a wonderful opportunity to have some fun and
at the same time learn some fascinating Oregon History

Allotropa virgata
Common name
Candystick

Candystick lacks chlorophyll and thus it must obtain nutrients through a mycorrhizal (fungal) association.

Matsutake mushroom mycelium are reported as the mycorrhizal associate. Thus where you find this plant you may well find Matsutake mushrooms.
(see http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_PDMON01010.aspx)


The candy colored stem makes this plant easy to identify.

Monotropa hypopitys
Common names:
Pinesap, or
Dutchman’s Pipe

The US Forest website says:
"Pinesap is a rarely encountered wildflower"

We saw lots of them

This is another plant that lacks Chlorophyll and thus must obtain nutrients by a mycorrhizal association.

Pterospora
commonly known as pinedrops

The US Forest Service Web site states that: "Pterospora andromedea is listed as threatened in Michigan and endangered in New York, Vermont and Wisconsin."

However, it is not listed as threatened in Oregon.

Here is a Pinedrop a bit later in its life cycle

Corallorhiza
Common name
Coralroot orchid

This is a leafless plant that relies entirely upon a symbiotic relationship with the fungi on its coral-shaped roots for sustenance.

This is another plant that does not produce chlorophyll, and thus it does not depend on photosynthesis for energy. It gets its energy from the fungus on its roots.

Because of the dependence on specific fungus for energy this plant cannot be successfully cultivated.

Goodyera pubescens
Common Name:
Rattlesnake Plantain

Downy rattlesnake plantain has striking leaves marked with The Rattlesnake Plantain gets it name from the broad, rounded leaves, that have a network of silvery veins and a broad stripe down the center, resembling the skin of a snake. The leaves are somewhat similar to the leaves of the common lawn weed, plantain.

Interestingly, Rattlesnake-plantains are evergreen. The leaves generally last about four years.

The Downy rattlesnake plantain is listed as endangered in Florida and exploitably vulnerable in New York.

Lilium washingtonianum
Common Names:
Washington Lily or Cascade Lilly

The US Forest Website says:
"Washington lily is a very attractive and aromatic plant and a desirable addition to cultivated landscapes and gardens. Those interested in using Washington lily as an ornamental should only collect limited amounts of seed from native populations or purchase seed or mature plants from reputable seed suppliers or native plant nurseries. Collection of plants or bulbs from the wild is never appropriate and strongly discouraged".

Cornus canadensis
Common Name:
-- Bunchberry
--Creeping Dogwood
Makes red berries in the fall