Lost Fragment - Ruckel North
Route 2
It's a pain to get to, especially during the peak of spider season, but this is a nice old loop, well forgotten and with around six inches of duff and moss on top of the old pavement (which is still in pretty good condition, apparently). This would have been a spectacular bend in the road back in the day, before the trees reclaimed the views.
October 6, 2013
Lost HCRH loop north of freeway between Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks? - Yes it is! Confirmed it today.
"13001 shows the view from possibly Wauna Point looking east - I'm trying to figure out if the small point of road visible before Bridge of the Gods might be where Sheridan Wayside was. I haven't been able to track down any photos of Sheridan so this would be interesting. Compared the view in Google Earth and it seems to match up with the OPRD boundaries."
Jamen Lee, Email, September 29, 2015
This abandoned highway loop marks the northern boundary of Sheridan State Park.
1946 State Parks Report: Sheridan State Park
The Sheridan State Park is on the old Columbia River Highway at Mile Post 44, adjacent to the Bonneville Dam. ...the deed date, April 24, 1923.
The wayside area, with a view of the Bonneville Dam and power site, is an historical park named in honor of Major General Phillip H. Sheridan who, as a Lieutenant participated in the Yakima Indian troubles at the Cascades. A marker beside the old highway, indicates the place where Sheridan with a small force of soldiers and civilians crossed from the Oregon shore, to assist the beleaguered citizens on Bradford Island who had been attacked by some two or three hundred Yakima Indians on March 26, 1856, two days previous to Sheridan's arrival.
...
The park offers a good view of the Bonneville Administration site for those who wish to pause for a few moments and look upon this famous structural achievement that has obliterated the Cascade Rapids and for many miles stilled the waters of the Columbia.
There are no facilities within the park areas and development work has been limited to roadside cleanup and reduction of fire hazard.
W. A. Langille
State Parks Historian
December 5, 1945
Recommendations:
More should be made of this wayside with its historical background. The point provides two wonderful views, the Cascade Bridge and the Bonneville Dam. More tables, a water supply would add to the development. [sic] The area south of the highway should have study.
S. H. Boardman
State Parks Superintendent
March 25, 1946
Map Currently Unavailable
Approximate boundaries of Sheridan State Scenic CorridorPark boundaries added by Jamen LeeGoogle Earth Imagery: July 19, 2010HCRH Map: v.2014.05.21.005CLICK HERE for more information on SHERIDAN STATE SCENIC CORRIDOR
The "orange" grade on the map at the top does not appear to be directly related to Route 2, however it was probably left from the construction of the water level route, or, later and most likely, the interstate.
May 12, 2020
Most likely this grade had something to do with the construction of the freeway.
This was the deepest layer of moss I've found on one of these old loops.
