Beacon Rock
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this location:
- Beacon Rock Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.6278, -122.0209
- Elevation: 848 feet
Description
Beacon Rock is the 57,000 year-old plug of relatively young cinder cone, now considered the most recent extrusion of the Boring Lava Field. The ice age Missoula Floods scored away the volcano's rubbly flanks, leaving a freestanding monolith that has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Columbia River Gorge.
Beacon Rock has been known by many names. Native Americans called it Che-che-op-tin. The first known Europeans to see the rock were Lewis and Clark, and William Clark coined the name Beacon Rock. The explorers also noted that this was the farthest extent of tidal influence up the Columbia River. In 1811, Alexander Ross called the rock "Inoshoack Castle". An 1841 map lists the site as "Castle Rock", and that name was in common use for many years. The rock was first climbed in 1901, and soon after the rock became a popular climbing destination. Henry J. Biddle purchased the rock in 1915 for $1. He and his family were very serious in maintaining the natural beauty and condition of the rock, as well as opening it to visitors. Rather than let a dozen ugly climbing routes cover the mountain, he began construction of a trail to the summit which was completed in 1918. The trail to the top is 9/10 of a mile of almost continuous switchbacks, handrails, bridges and ledges. There are incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge at every turn.
In the early 1930s, Biddle's dream just about disappeared. The US Army Corps of Engineers planned to demolish the rock to create riprap for jetty construction at the mouth of the Columbia River. In an effort to save the rock, Biddle offered to give the rock to the State of Washington. When the state initially refused, the State of Oregon offered to accept the gift. Somewhat shamed, Washington accepted the gift and in 1935, Biddle's heirs turned the rock over to the state for use as a park.
Today, Biddle's trail remains on the west and south faces of the rock, one of the scenic gems of the Gorge. The trail is almost completely lined by handrails, although parents of little ones should be very careful, as they could possibly slip through the rails. The view from the summit extends from Bonneville Dam to Cape Horn.
More Links
- "Beacon Rock and Beacon Rock State Park, Washington" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)
- Beacon Rock (Friends of the Columbia Gorge)
- Beacon Rock on the Columbia by Henry J. Biddle (Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center)
- A Self-Guided Tour of the Geology of the Columbia River Gorge—Portland Airport to Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, Washington (Washington DNR)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)