When it was built between 1913 -
1922 the Columbia River Highway was considered a technological and
visually appealing masterpiece. Under the supervision of
Samuel Lancaster local workers and imported Italian masons blasted
tunnels and built bridges and arched guard walls starting from the
Portland area and heading east. This section from Hood River
to Mosier was completed in 1921 and was in use until 1954 when the
new highway along the river was opened. For safety reasons
the tunnels were back filled with rock and rubble until 1998 when
the old highway was restored for the Historic Columbia River
Highway hiking and biking trail.
There are two tunnels along this trail each about 350 feet in
length. There are some beautiful views of the river along the
trail.
This section is approximatley 5
miles long and is open year round. There is a $5 daily
fee to use the trail from either direction so please use
discretion, if the parking lot is getting full, as to how long you
tarry if you are just finding the cache and visiting the welcome
center. Cache is an ammo can located near the parking area at the
Hood River end of the Mosier Twin Tunnels Trail and it is filled
with goodies of a historical nature. To get to cache site head east
from the Highway 35 - Highway 30 junction next to the Chinese
restaurant. When you get to the parking area go to the far end and
you will find a service road heading to the north toward the river.
Follow the road around the hill. Just before you get to the next
bend go up the hill to some trees.