Mud Lake in 1951 during the filming of Bend of The River with James Stewart, Arthur Kennedy, Julie Adams, and Rock Hudson. Mud Creek will be dammed to become Trillium Lake about nine years later in 1960 during the development of camping and recreational facilities.
Trillium Lake was created for the perfect photograph. At times Mount Hood reflects perfectly in the surface of the water.
A familiar restaurant remembered on the way to and from Mount Hood was Norma’s Bean Pot at Wemme, Hwy 26, circa 1961 – 1974.
Operated by Norma Fay Waldron-McKean (1907 – 1999).
Contributed by Peter Bellant.
“All The Young Men” Movie Filmed on Mount Hood December 13, 1959.
Korea came to Mt. Hood when Columbia Pictures’ “All the Young Men” was filmed on the snow-clad slopes. Here Walt Aeppli, chief engineer at Timberline Lodge: Don Bar, member of lift crew,: desk clerk Warren Clancey and Brad Holt, lift crew member, appear as extras in war picture. (Photo by Dick Kohnstamm)
Transporting M-41, 26-ton tank from Fort Lewis, Wash., to Timberline Lodge, to be used in Korean war film being shot on location, this week provided side drama. Aboard a truck, the tank was stopped at the Oregon border as legally too heavy for Oregon highways. A bigger truck finally made transport.
Cloud Cap Inn was built in 1889 and opened August 6th of the same year. It was built by William Ladd, a Portland banker and C.E.S. Wood a Portland attorney. It was Woods wife, Nannie, who named the hotel.
Prior to building the Inn they bought the road and created the Mt. Hood Stage Co. The road needed improvements before building could begin. Chinese laborers were employed in the project. A stretch of road referred to as “China Fill” was a 22-percent grade and was a challenge to the early automobiles attempting the trip. The original road didn’t follow today’s road. As you drive up to the Inn you can still see the old road intersect the new occasionally. It ran along the ridge between Evans Creek and Crystal Springs Creek.
The same architectural firm that designed Cloud Cap Inn designed the Forestry Building for the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland in 1905. All of the logs came from around the building site. Cables were used to hold the building down during high winds. Wind did end up blowing down one of the original chimneys in the early 1900’s. Water was supplied to the Inn from Tilly Jane Creek, 1200 feet away.
Business was slow in the beginning. The Inn closed down in 1890 and Ladd and Wood turned over operation of the Inn to James Langille’s wife, Sarah, nick named Tansana, in 1891. Sarah ran Cloud Cap at a much simpler level and was able to operate at a profit. Her two son’s Will and Doug worked at the Inn as mountain guides.
A tradition was started where when a person made a summit ascent they were allowed to take their personal business card and thumbtack it to the ceiling. This was done by putting the tack through the card and backing it up with a silver dollar and throwing it up to the ceiling.
In 1894 Ladd brought telephone wire and equipment to install a phone system at the Inn. Will Langille installed the equipment and ran the wire.
Will left Oregon to join the Alaskan gold rush. Doug stayed on as guide until 1900 when he joined the U.S. Geological Survey. Sarah’s nephew, Horace Mecklem came to help out after her son’s left. Sarah then hired two European guides until 1903. Mark Weygant went to work for Sarah in 1904 and worked for her for several years. Sarah retired from operating the Inn successfully in 1907 and turned operation over to Horace Mecklem and his wife Olive.
The first automobile driven to Cloud Cap arrived in 1907. It was a one cylinder Cadillac. After the trip Mecklem used a Pierce Arrow as a stage from Hood River to the Inn, but the auto could only go to the China Fill, but it cut down the time from Hood River from 8 hours to 3.
Dorsey Smith assumed the operation of the Inn around 1910(?). Homer Rogers, who ran a lodge in Parkdale, bought the Inn in 1919 from Ladd for $5,000. And a long-term contract from the Forest Service was made.
In 1925 the government was planning the Mount Hood Loop Highway and considering building a newer and bigger inn, similar to Rainier’s Paradise Hotel. They pressured Rodgers to make improvements to the road or lose his permit. Homer ended up selling the Inn to a group of people headed by J.C. Ainsworth. They hired Dorsey Smith to operate the Inn until a new one was built.
The plans for a new Grand Lodge didn’t bring the funds needed by private investors. Enthusiasm for the project was briefly renewed when the Mt. Hood committee came up with plans for a tramway to the summit of Mount Hood. But opposition from the Mazama climbing club and groups concerned with the environmental affects and safety killed that project too.
In 1927 Dorsey Smith turned the Inn’s operation over to Noyes Tyrell, who operated the very successful Tyrell’s Tavern near Bonneville. He ran it until 1932 when it stood empty for about a year.
Boyd French Sr. leased it around 1934 until the war caused it to close its operation. The Mt. Hood Road and Wagon Company sold the Inn in 1942 to the Forest Service for $2,000. Dorsey Smith was the representative in the transaction, ending his long association with Cloud Cap. Boyd Smith used the Inn as a part time residence until after the war. Attempts to operate the Inn failed after that and in 1950 the Forest Service was considering tearing down the Inn, as it had fallen into disrepair.
The Crag Rats, a Hood River based climbing club, after a struggle with the government, secured permission to use the Inn as a clubhouse and a base for their snow surveys. The Crag Rats went to work repairing the old building and
maintain it to this day. In 1974 Cloud Cap Inn and Vista House were placed, by the state, on the list of historic places.
Cloud Cap Inn is accessible by car via a rough dirt road when it’s not closed due to snow. Hiking trails and camping are available in the area as well as majestic views of Mount Hood from the timber line at 6000′, the same elevation as Timberline Lodge on the opposite side of the mountain.
Here’s a great early view of the old Welches Ranch at Welches Oregon.
This view is after Sam had gone. You can see the store, post office, the dance hall and the white canvas tourist tents lined up along the road to the left of the Welch home. Billy’s cow pasture, which is now the golf course at the resort, is at the left side while his orchard can be seen on the right side of the photo.
When this photo was taken there was only a sign out at the Barlow Road, where the modern shopping center is presently located, directing people to turn south and drive to Welches Ranch one mile away.
Here’s a happy group of hikers exploring Columbia River Gorge Gorge around 1910 becoming a part of the Oneonta Gorge History . This slot canyon within the Columbia River Gorge and on the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway has been a popular location to explore for a very long time. Today on a hot Summer day it can be elbow to elbow with people.
Today there’s a log pile to negotiate and a stretch of water that can be chest to chin deep to make your way into the little canyon, but there’s an amazing waterfall at the end as a reward for the trek.
Snowplow on Mt Hood Loop Highway circa 1950-ish. The winters of 1949-1951 were big snow season’s on Mount Hood.
This scene is most likely on the road to Timberline Lodge.
For decades, travelers along U.S. Highway 26 in Oregon have been greeted by a unique roadside landmark: the towering Ivy Bear at Alder Creek. Covered in thick vines and steeped in local lore, this massive figure has become a beloved symbol of the Mount Hood area. Built as a tribute to a pet bear, it eventually collapsed, but thanks to a dedicated community, it rose again.
The story of the Ivy Bear begins with Gerald Wear, a deaf craftsman, dog trainer, and builder who lived in Alder Creek. Wear was widely known for his ingenuity and deep love for animals. Alongside training German Shepherds, he also cared for a bear that lived in a roadside cage. As travelers passed along the two-lane highway, many stopped to watch the bear, which quickly became an unofficial mascot.
Eventually, the bear passed away. According to local accounts, it died after consuming too many candy bars, soda pop, and bottle caps handed out by curious onlookers. Heartbroken, Wear felt compelled to honor the animal. He decided to create a much larger tribute: a towering ivy-covered bear that would stand beside the road for all to see.
In 1947, Wear began construction on what would become the Ivy Bear at Alder Creek. He built a wooden frame, wrapped it in chicken wire, and carefully planted ivy around the structure. Over the course of more than a year, the vines filled in, eventually covering the entire bear.
At the time, the figure was believed to be the largest ivy-covered structure in the world. Motorists quickly became accustomed to the sight of the massive bear keeping watch near the highway. To make the figure even more lifelike, Wear added a rear door and scaffolding inside that led up to the bear’s head. At night, he would climb inside and light its eyes with candles. Later, he upgraded them with old Volkswagen taillights.
Over time, the Ivy Bear at Alder Creek became even more popular. In fact, it eventually became better known than the businesses located on the property. Mount Hood skiers adopted a tradition of saluting the bear for good luck, and children often lifted their feet as they passed by.
Meanwhile, Wear continued working on creative projects in Alder Creek. In addition to the bear, he built homes and decorative water wheels. Although Wear passed away in 1972, his most famous creation remained standing—a lasting testament to his creativity and love for the area.
After nearly 40 years of standing tall, the Ivy Bear collapsed on June 18, 1984. A gentle breeze that evening was all it took to bring down the aging wooden structure. The bear toppled forward and landed on its tin snout.
Upon closer inspection, the cause became clear: the wooden beams at the base had rotted through. Without a strong foundation, the structure simply gave way. Although exterior damage was minimal, the bear could no longer stand upright.
The loss resonated with the community. Travelers slowed down, searching for the familiar landmark. Even the Portland Chamber of Commerce reached out to the property’s owners, eager to help restore the iconic roadside figure.
Recognizing the Ivy Bear’s cultural value, local residents and organizations launched a campaign to bring it back. In 1987, Ron Rhoades, owner of the Ivy Bear Restaurant, partnered with Michael P. Jones of the Cascade Geographic Society and the Friends of the Ivy Bear to start a fundraiser.
By 1990, their efforts paid off. The community raised enough money to rebuild the Ivy Bear—this time using a steel frame designed to withstand time and weather. Thanks to their perseverance, the Ivy Bear stood once again.
The bear’s revival brought renewed energy to the Mount Hood area. Locals and travelers alike celebrated the return of the iconic figure. Once more, the Ivy Bear stood proudly along Highway 26, welcoming visitors and honoring its unique history.
Today, the Ivy Bear remains a bit overgrown but continues to charm passersby. It stands not only as a tribute to Gerald Wear’s craftsmanship and compassion but also as a symbol of community pride. Next time you drive through Alder Creek, don’t forget to salute the bear—just like generations before you.
Zigzag River on the Mt Hood Loop Highway near Rhododendron Oregon – April 17,1948
Multnomah Falls circa 1930
