Upper Sandy Guard Station
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this location:
- Muddy Fork Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Paradise Park via the Sandy River Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.37849, -121.78277
- Elevation: 3410 feet
Description
The Upper Sandy Guard Station, now all shuttered up, sits atop a bench above the Sandy River, out of sight of the Timberline/Pacific Crest Trail. The 1935 structure is unique in its log/stone wall construction, but has now lost part of its roof and most of the windows are boarded. A hantavirus warning is posted on the door, but one open back window allows you a peek inside. Vandals have entered and taken much of the interior hardware and furnishings.
The Guard Station was originally constructed along the Timberline Trail (then the Skyline Trail) to monitor public traffic and any illegal activity in the Bull Run Reserve, which protected Portland's water supply. Later, Bull Run boundaries were pulled back considerably and, in 1978, the Guard Station became part of the Mt. Hood Wilderness, at which point it was abandoned. The Guard Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The Zigzag Ranger District is not actively pursuing restoration of the structure, however.
Links
- Upper Sandy Guard Station Cabin (Wikipedia)
- Upper Sandy Guard Station (WyEast Blog)
- The Upper Sandy Guard Station (Restore Oregon)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)