Mount Hood, near Hood River, Oregon, is the tallest peak in the state, rising to 11,239 feet. As part of the Cascade Range, it has long served as a natural landmark for travelers and settlers. In 1845, Mount Hood played a pivotal role during Samuel Barlow’s establishment of the Barlow Road, the first overland route allowing settlers to bypass the treacherous Columbia River rapids. This route became a critical part of the Oregon Trail, guiding thousands of pioneers to the fertile lands of the Willamette Valley. Today, Mount Hood stands as a symbol of exploration and the enduring legacy of westward expansion