Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor

Chester H. Armstrong, History of the Oregon State Parks: 1917-1963

Blue Mountain Forest Wayside is about 20 miles in length, located along U. S. Highway 30 (Interstate 80N). It begins near the summit of the Blue Mountains in Umatilla County and extends easterly to a point one mile west of Hilgard in Union County. The two-county area contains 2,151.46 acres and consists of intermittent strips approximately 500 feet wide on each side of the Old Oregon Trail.

Land purchases for this wayside through the Blue Mountains began in 1927 and continued through 1937—a period of ten years. There were two gifts for this wayside, one was 5.04 acres on February 25, 1927, from G. W. and Frieda Klopfenstein and the other was a 40-acre tract from the State Land Board on April 28, 1931.

The primary reason for acquisition of these lands was to preserve the beautiful effect of the evergreen forest and to prevent cutting of the pine timber along the highway. Preservation of the timber was particularly desirable as it is the azure-like appearance of the forested areas that gives the unusual color to the mountains which caused the early voyagers to call them the Blue Mountains. This evergreen forest was particularly attractive to the weary occupants of the early-day wagon trains. The traveler today finds it equally attractive.

Few people realize that this is the only evergreen forest on U. S. Highway 30 South (Interstate 80N) between Salt Lake City in Utah and The Dalles in Oregon, and on U. S. 30 west of the Missouri River.

This mountain range was known as the Blue Mountains as early as 1811. David Thompson of the Northwest Company of Canada, while voyaging down the Columbia River, was impressed by the unusual blue of these forested mountains as they lifted against the sky. He is reputed to be the one who first called this range the Blue Mountains and noted their presence in his journals. Again in 1820, David Douglas, the botanist after whom the Douglas fir is named, used this term in reference to these mountains. It is obvious how the wayside acquired its name.

No attempt was made to acquire lands through these mountains on which there was no timber; therefore, there are five portions of the highway where no wayside land was acquired.

On the Indian land which was acquired in 1929 there was a small restaurant or inn, known as Sunset Inn. It was located near mile post 54. This restaurant was poorly patronized and did not prove to be a satisfactory business. It burned, however, about 1932.

Visitors at this wayside during 1962 totaled 10,983. No count was made in 1963.

Permits as follows have been issued:

• 5133 9-16-57 Eastern Oregon Electric Company Indefinite

• 5190 10-30-57 Eastern Oregon Electric Company "

• 5605 9-14-59 Eastern Oregon Electric Company "

• 4402 6-26-57 Salt Lake Pipe Line Company "

• 4415 6-28-57 Salt Lake Pipe Line Company "

• 1795 11-2-56 Happy Cat Bowman Club—archery range 5-6-63

Oregon State Parks: Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor

Blue Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor lies along the Old Oregon Trail Highway between Deadman's Pass and Spring Creek. The corridor protects one of the few examples of mature evergreen forests on I-84 between Ogden, Utah and The Dalles, Oregon.

Composed of intermittent stands of old-growth ponderosa pine, western larch, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine and grand fir, this corridor contains undisturbed examples of the native plants and animals. White- tailed deer, mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, cougar and other wildlife inhabit the corridor. Spring explodes in a multi-hued kaleidoscope of flowers. The fall frost ends the season in a final flurry of color.

Take a break from the freeway and enjoy nature's beauty as you pass through this section of the Blue Mountains.

History

The wayside was obtained from various owners 1927 – 1937, with some adjustments in 1959 and 1983. The Blue Mountains are said to have been named about 1811 by explorer and fur trader David Thompson of the North West Company, who noted their bluish cast against the sky while descending towards the Columbia River.

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