The Big Burn, or as it was called, “The Big Blowup” saw huge fires in the whole of the Northwest including Idaho, Montana and Washington. Although it wasn’t considered a part of the Big Blowup, that August a wildfire threatened to burn down the towns between Sandy and Government Camp.
Map Turn is the sweeping curve located west of Government Camp — just downslope from the new truck escape ramp — where several persons have perished in auto accidents in recent years.
Hidden beneath the towering firs of Mount Hood’s forests, the Rhododendron Inn once stood as one of Oregon’s most celebrated mountain retreats. In the early 20th century, it welcomed weary travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventure seekers. Today, the inn is gone, but its story remains—woven into the history of the region.
Near Government Camp, Oregon, within view of Mount Hood, at the Summit Meadow Pioneer Cemetery
In the early days of winter recreation on Mount Hood, long before chairlifts and ski resorts, Government Camp was home to an exhilarating and dangerous attraction—the Red Devil Toboggan Slide.
