Eastern Approach to Mitchell Point Tunnel

February 13, 2020

So, on April 14, 2014, I made a trek out to this section of the old highway. Unfortunately, I have not been able to recover any photos from that trip after my data losses the last couple years, yet. Yet, I hope... Another trip out there this year seems like a good idea anyway.

ODOT, Cultural Landscape Inventory: Shellrock Mountain to Ruthton Point - Historic Columbia River Highway

This section is found on the east side of Mitchell Point, and includes about half a mile of Mitchell Point Drive, which follows the alignment of the HCRH and provides access to residential properties. On this side of Mitchell Point, the climate transition of the gorge becomes apparent. The vegetation here changes from Douglas fir forest to drier oak and pine.

The HCRH alignment has its west endpoint at the approximate site of the destroyed Mitchell Point Tunnel, and runs through a disused quarry. The 1870s military wagon road went through this quarry area as well, winding down from the saddle between Mitchell Point and little Mitchell Point to meet the HCRH once more. The HCRH again followed its course from this point toward Ruthton Hill (Elliot 1914). This quarry was expanded during the construction of the water-level highway and used subsequently, creating a large, disturbed open space.

In the 1930s, this land was still primarily orchard and agricultural, surrounded by forested slopes. Some of the historic field pattern is still traceable in the present landscape, and the 1908 Locke (now Galligan) family house still fronts the road as it once did the military wagon road in the same location (Hadlow et al. 2009). I84 now cuts the property off from the river and replaces some of the orchards.

Topography

This short section of the HCRH has a relatively gentle profile, descending along the broad toe slope between the steep basalt cliffs to the south and the flooded bottom lands of the Columbia River. The site of the disused quarry at the high point of this section is bounded to the southwest by the dramatic silhouette and cliffs of Mitchell Point. What appears to be a small cut through in the vicinity of the 1908 Locke house may be an artifact of more recent alterations to the road. The cut on the south side of the road is in poor condition. It is overgrown with vegetation and undercut at the top.

The apparent cut on the north side of the road is a dirt berm that separates the current road from a road fragment of what may be the original alignment of the HCRH. This overgrown and partly buried fragment parallels the current Mitchell point drive. Patches of old asphalt can be found along it.

Buildings and Structures

The Locke family settled here in the 1880s, building a house along the old military wagon road in 1908. This 1908 house still stands and is occupied by members of the original family. A barn of even earlier construction has been moved from its original location (Hadlow et al. 2009). There are several newer residences and outbuildings that also front the roadway.

There are few structures remaining that are associated with the roadway. A 12” culvert with concrete head and wing walls in fair condition carries a small seasonal creek under the road.

Circulation

A portion of the alignment of the HCRH is now Mitchell Point Drive, a short well-maintained road providing access to residential property. Private, unpaved access roads intersecting the HCRH alignment lead to fields and old orchard sites.

Above the Galligan residence, a short segment of the HCRH appears to run parallel to the current road. This segment is separated from Mitchell Point Drive by a low, overgrown berm. It has patches of pavement, and what appear to be old driveways or access road connecting to it. Further research may clarify what this road fragment is. It can be traced toward Mitchell Point on the current aerial photograph.

The disused rock quarry is at the west end of the segment. This is a large, disturbed open space. The alignment of the HCRH in this area is uncertain. The military wagon road once came through this area as well, and the end of it can still be found on the southwest slopes above the quarry. At the top of the quarry fragments of pavement show where the HCRH came down from Mitchell Point Tunnel.

Views and Vistas

There is a panoramic view in both directions of the Columbia River Gorge from below Mitchell Point at the top of this segment, and a dramatic framed vista from the disused quarry site up to Mitchell Peak.

There is a small trace here that might suggest that the HCRH crossed the existing I-84 route before the underpass. This might fit what I've seen along the frontage road.

I have questions about whether or not this section is actually the CRH.

Looking at the old maps and the lay of the land, I feel like there is a slight possibility that some fragment of old Route 2 may lay hidden north of the freeway, west of the photos below. However, most likely, from the Frontage Road fragment east, it is all under I-84.

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