Trip Report

We drove along three beautiful white-water rivers North Santiam, Breitenbush and Clackamas - on our way to Oregon City. First was the North Santiam, where we traveled through Jefferson and the logging towns of Mill City and Gates. Four miles beyond was Niagara Park where the old town of Niagara existed, site of the Niagara Dam built in the 1840s by hand labor. Grace Smith told us about her childhood days here and in the Detroit area. Then we saw Detroit Dam, Detroit Lake and the town of Detroit before reaching Breitenbush to turn left on S.46. Then along the Breitenbush River, over 3,570-ft. Breitenbush Saddle to the Clackamas River. The drive on paved roads between tall trees and summer wildflowers was delightful. Many small forest camps along both rivers looked most inviting. Lunch stop was at Milo K. McIver State Park near Estacada. In Oregon City we visited the Dr. John McLoughlin House (built in 1846) where two gracious ladies, Norma and Beverly, gave guided tours of the house, with its beautiful furniture, silverware and art objects. We returned to Eugene via S.213 through the century-old agricultural towns of Mulino, Marquam, Silverton, Sublimity and Stayton.

It was extremely warm, as the temperature was 99° in the Willamette Valley. Ewart Baldwin (assistant leader) gave explanations of geological and historical features along the way that were most interesting and greatly appreciated. Allan Foss was our driver.

Riders: Ewart & Margaret Baldwin, Ingrid Carmichael, Bernice Claypool, Clair Cooley, Helen Curry, Bill & Marjorie Eaton, Ardis Ebbighausen, Dencie Edlund, Bette Hack, Elma Havemann, Shirley Hendrickson, Jane Hilt, Miki Hutchison, Lillian Johnson, Virginia Kapsa, Helen Knowlton, Mary McLaughlin, John & Lenore McManigal, Dorothy Medill, Janice Pattison, Lois Schreiner, Grace Smith, Betty Staeck, Ethet & Robin Steussy, Lorene Williams and Frances Newsom (leader).