Laurel Hill Chute Trail #795A

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

The Laurel Hill Chute Trail is a short 1/2-mile round trip interpretive loop along Highway 26. Pioneers on the Oregon Trail developed the Barlow Road to avoid sending wagon trains down the Columbia River. This section of the Barlow Road down Laurel Hill was documented as the most challenging part of the entire Oregon Trail, requiring wagons be lowered down rocky mountain sides with ropes wrapped around trees.

Evidence of these efforts are still visible along this interpretive trail. The trail can be taken clockwise or counter clockwise and is good for stretching your legs on a road trip. There are rocky sections and log steps along the trail.

Douglas fir, western hemlock, and the occasional western red cedar are visible along Laurel Hill. Hardwoods include vine maple, alders, and big leaf maple. The understory has salal, Oregon grape, sword ferns, Salmon berry, red huckleberry, and thimble berry. Occasional tufts of bear grass bloom in June. Moss covers the rocky talus slopes.