The Columbia Gorge
Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, and Morrow Counties
Native Americans and Pioneers wrote much of the early history of the Oregon Territory in the Columbia River gorge. Indian hieroglyphics are visible along the Columbia where Indian tribes would travel to trade their products for dried salmon. This exchange of goods spread their different cultures throughout the northwest. And of course the Oregon Trail ran down the Columbia until the gorge cliffs squeezed it to only the river in the Dalles area. From there the pioneers had to go either by raft or over Mt. Hood on the Barlow trail. Now two railroads and two highways run thru the gorge, and sail boarders run back and forth like water skeeters.