FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oregon City, Oregon
July 1, 2004                                                                            

New CD Driving Tour Serves as Guide for Exploring the Barlow Road Pioneer Route over Mount Hood to Oregon City

The Barlow Road was here.  Or was it over there?  Thanks to the new Barlow Road Driving Tour, the debate is over.  The CD traces the rugged route braved by the pioneers, and thanks to nearby paved roads, the journey is much less daunting today and can be completed in several hours or enjoyed over a few days. 

Following a route from Mt. Hood to Oregon City, visitors can witness first-hand the obstacles emigrants faced on the Barlow Road portion of the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s.  Sam Barlow carved the historic route out of the wilderness in 1845-46 as a vastly more affordable, yet only slightly less dangerous alternative to the outfitters that transported wagons and pioneers along the currents of the Columbia River.  Modern-day travelers can follow the Barlow Road while learning historical facts about the journey West and listening to period music and tales of the trail as documented in pioneer journals.

Developed in response to ongoing visitor requests for a Barlow Road map, the CD is available for $16.95 online at www.mthoodterritory.com or by phone at 888.622.4822.  It also can be purchased at the following: the Oregon Historical Society; visitor centers in Wilsonville, Oregon City and on Mt. Hood; Nature of the Northwest; Sandy, Canby and Molalla Chambers of Commerce; the Rivershore Hotel; and the Mt. Hood Cultural Center.  The driving tour CD is available on loan at Clackamas County libraries or with a refundable deposit at the regional visitor centers.

Written and produced by MJ Cody, travel journalist and editor of Best Places to Stay - Pacific Northwest, this tour has detailed driving directions to each site and is set up with tracks so listeners can repeat or skip sites as needed.  A detailed booklet featuring maps, photos and historic information is included with the driving tour, and the CD allows for breaks to explore key historic points along the way, such as The Pioneer Women’s Grave, Timberline Lodge, Baker Cabin and more.  Currently, Cody is developing a second driving tour titled, “Feast for the Senses,” which will explore Mt. Hood Territory agriculture and art offerings.

Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory – Close to Portland… A World AwaySM

From the 11,235-foot peak of its most recognized landmark, majestic Mount Hood, to the low-lying farms where homegrown specialties include tulips, berries, Christmas trees and wines, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory is ripe with stories.  Defined by the borders of Clackamas County, this scenic region includes 14 incorporated cities.  Area offerings include agricultural diversity, historic tales stretching back to Pioneer days, and year-round recreation for all skill levels—from snowshoeing and white-water rafting to skiing and salmon fishing.  

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