"Two sharp rocks between which pass the tracks of the Union Pacific and known as the PILLARS OF HERCULES or SPEELYEI'S CHILDREN, the latter name commemorating the feats of the Indian coyote god, rise (R) beyond FOREST HILL."

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/exhibits/across/eaglecr.html

"At one time the Union Pacific rail line went between two columns of basalt. Today the line is on the north side of the pillars. Photographs in the University of Washington Library by A.H. Barnes shows the tracks were moved sometime before or during 1913. The 120-foot-high column once served as a training site for mountain climbers."

"The Pillars are in fact a collection of three towers: the principle 120-foot free standing formation; Cigar Rock, a 30-foot tall pointy boulder right next to the interstate; and Pinochle Pinnacle, semi-attached to the rim wall."

http://www.summitpost.org/pillars-of-hercules/177110

Lyn Topinka, Columbia River Images: Pillars of Hercules

Early photographs of the Union Pacific trains and the "Pillars of Hercules" often label them as the "Needles".

Early newspaper articles used the name "Needle Rocks".

"... it will be possible for automobiles and other vehicles when the highway [Historic Columbia River Highway] is completed to spin down the slopes of a precipice from Chanticleer to the Columbia River, a drop of 900 feet; proceed eastward at the base of Rooster Rock, through the fields and farms about the village of Latourelle; past the Needle Rocks; along the base of Gordon, Latourelle, Multnomah, Bridal Veil and Horsetail Falls; through the grandeur of Oneonta Gorge; over the plateaus this side of Hood River; along the picturesque Tanner and Eagle creeks; over the old Dalles military road, and lastly around the now treacherous precipices of Shell Rock. ..." ["Sunday Oregonian", August 10, 1913]

Photo Currently Unavailable

"Although the pillars are readily accessible and technically reasonable to climb, this formation is seldom ascended because the climbs are mossy, while the location has other visual and objective hazards. The pillars are easily visible as you race by them at 70 mph on I-84 freeway just west of Bridal Veil. ... If the Pillar is you goal, consider parking at a dirt pullout immediately west of Bridal Veil state park rest facility on the old U. S. 30 and descend through open forest to access the south side of the pillar."

"Once at bottom, hike west along the old overgrown railroad bed (no tracks) that runs parallel to the existing (and busy) railroad track till you come to the base of The Pillars. Approach time is about 20 minutes."

Links

GATHERING THE STORIES: LATOURELL FALLS AND THE PILLARS OF HERCULES: A STORY

http://www.gatheringthestories.org/2013/10/21/latourell-falls-and-the-pillars-of-hercules-a-story/

Lyn Topinka's Columbia River Images Site:

http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/pillars_of_hercules.html

SUMMITPOST.ORG: Pillars of Hercules

http://www.summitpost.org/pillars-of-hercules/177110

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the highway