The last two Heritage Trail stops on Mt. Hood

Our final stops on the Heritage Trail were kind of the worst. 

I'm not saying that they aren't important, or that I am not glad that we saw them; we would not feel right if we skipped them. However, for some of these stops I write reviews about how cool they are, and how worth the trip they were. These are different.

For The Arts Cabins on Mt. Hood, there was no one there, no Heritage Trail sign, and signs preventing parking.

Generally they are used for artists, but there are supposed to be frequent blacksmithing demonstrations and I had seen something about an artists' market in the winter. The Facebook page has an external link, but it is broken. 

It looks like they are trying to revitalize things under the Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts, but they may need some time.

The Summit Meadows Pioneer Cemetery has the sign, is clearly visible, and you can see the graves.

Perry Vickers Road is a little rough, though. No, it does not give that as the address -- they don't do addresses out here -- but that is what you are on.

At one point there was this big thump and I worried that we were going to have a broken axle. We were fine, but turning around on this narrow road and going over that spot again did not seem like a good idea.

We kept going forward and entered a campground. I assume it was the Trillium Lake campground. It was not immediately clear that we were on a one-way road. 

We did return home safely, but if you want to go see it, it might be better riding in something a little higher, or maybe waiting until you can go by snowmobile.

Still, we saw every site. There will be more about that later. 

COVID: We neither went inside anywhere nor saw any people. I'd say we were pretty safe.

Accessibility: Well, I guess if you stay in the vehicle. Otherwise, it's not great.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081863352783

https://cascadiaart.org/

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/39467/summit-meadows-pioneer-cemetery 

https://www.mthoodterritory.com/arts-heritage

Museums of Mt. Hood

The Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum is roughly six miles from Timberline Lodge. That is farther than it sounds. You just keep winding up.

However, as we were going to visit the former -- a stop on Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory Heritage Trail -- it made sense to also visit the museum at the latter. It is still the general neighborhood.

To be fair, the former is a much better museum.

Timberline Lodge does have some interesting history, and it makes sense to honor it, but it is a small space with a narrow focus.

The Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum just kept having more to see.

There was information on the geology and wildlife, ski club history, roads and plowing, search and rescue, and more, including vintage souvenirs.

With Timberline Lodge, it is more the layout of the rooms and items from a few connected people.

Generally if you are going to Timberline, you are going for skiing or hiking or some sort of physical activity. Maybe for a wedding. 

Because of that, if you then essentially walk through an extended hallway with some displays, that is a reasonable commitment.

The Cultural Center is right at the start of Government Camp. While that is often visited by people heading out for a day of physical activities, but possibly more leisurely ones.

Also, there is camping and lodging nearby, so if you are going to be staying in the area then a visit to the Cultural Center is a very reasonable activity.

In our case, it was a commitment driving out there -- it's hard to believe we did it every year when we were kids -- but it was not an unreasonable destination, especially combining it with three other things.

Obviously, there will be another post about the other two places we went. I will say that it was helpful to be able to talk to the staff at the Cultural (and Information!) Center as we planned the rest of our route.

Neither museum had an admission fee, so the primary expense is the trip.

COVID: Obviously both are indoors. I appreciated that the staff at the Cultural Center had masks available. That was not the case at the lodge.

Accessibility: The first thing I must point out is that both of these areas are subject to heavy snowfall. Designated parking areas near the Cultural Center had signs for areas that needed to be left clear during winter, presumably for snow plows.

Then the main parking lot for Timberline is quite steep. While there is an entrance marked as accessible, and once inside seeing the museum itself should not be an issue, it is easy to feel like the lodge is truly only for the extremely mobile and fit.

The Cultural Center does have multiple levels and an impressive staircase, but there is also an elevator. Some of the navigation might be tricky, but it is ultimately a better setup for mobility devices.

At least comparatively.

So visiting the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum is my primary recommendation. It can be a good time.

https://mthoodmuseum.org/

https://www.timberlinelodge.com/

Chanticleer Point and Vista House at Crown Point, Columbia River Gorge

The geography of the Columbia River Gorge allows for a lot of scenery and a view scenic viewpoints. While many of those are obtained by hiking, there are two that you can drive to.

The silhouette of the Vista House at Crown Point may be more familiar, but many pictures of it are taken from Chanticleer Point, the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.

Chanticleer Point overlooks Rooster Rock as well, once the site of the Chanticleer Inn, known for salmon and chicken dinners.

Only Crown Point is on the Waterfall Trolley Tour, but both points can be easily accessed from the Historic Columbia River Highway and are less than a mile apart.

There are other shuttles that go to Chanticleer Point, though the parking was ample.

Chanticleer Point has historic markers regarding the Lewis and Clark expedition, the highway itself, and the Portland Women's Forum.

Through the gift of the Women's Forum, Chanticleer Point is part of the Oregon State Park system.

There is more to see at Crown Point, with many displays within the Vista House.

We visited it right after our trolley tour, so the displays on the history of the scenic highway took on an added interest after enjoying that scenery.

My sisters were also very pleased to find plush banana slugs in the gift shop. That wasn't really expected, but they had been wanting some for a while now.

There is also something to be said just for finally making it to somewhere so iconic. I had never been to Vista House before.

And the views are reason enough.

COVID: You can spend plenty of time outside. Even on the main floor of the Vista House -- depending on the weather -- panels are opened for free-flowing air and high ceilings. 

However, if you visit the other floors, and even if it is just pretty crowded, there are good reasons to mask inside.

Accessibility: Chanticleer Point is pretty good, though there can be some rough areas. 

Also, if this is the beginning of the Rooster Rock Wagon Road Hike, it looks like it gets a bit steep and there seem to be a lot of crashed vehicles along the way. 

https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Rooster_Rock_Wagon_Road_Hike

Vista House has a lot of steps, but there are ramps and elevators too.

That you need to use the intercom to get someone to let you use the elevator and they request that you use it only as needed does make it seem not particularly friendly.

If you choose to go, just be aware.

https://vistahouse.com/

http://portlandwomensforum.com/history.html