History is the draw on Pioneer Woman’s Grave Trail #485, a short route along a piece of the old Barlow Road near Barlow Pass, with views of Mt. Hood. The Pioneer Woman’s Grave Trailhead is on Forest Road 3531, 0.2 mile down from the Barlow Pass Sno-Park on Oregon Highway 35.
The trail heads east and drops steeply for 0.6 mile, then levels out for another 0.4 mile before ending at a lower point on Forest Road 3531. Since it is an out-and-back, save energy for the climb home. The trailhead lot holds fewer than 10 vehicles, and the Barlow Pass Sno-Park up the road offers more parking.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 2 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Hood River
Connects to: Barlow Butte Trail #670, Pacific Crest Trail (Hood River RD)
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Getting there
From Hood River, OR
- travel 36.2 miles south on Oregon Hwy 35 to Barlow Pass Snopark (Forest Road 3531), approximately 200 feet west of milepost 60.
- Head down Forest Road 3531 0.2 mile to the trailhead on the right (west) side of the road (approximately 250’ past Barlow Road).
From Portland, OR
- travel approximately 31 miles east of Sandy on US Hwy 26 to the intersection with Oregon Hwy 35.
- Turn north onto Oregon Hwy 35 and travel 2.6 miles to Barlow Pass Sno-Park (Forest Road 3531), approximately 200 feet west of milepost 60.
- Head down Forest Road 3531 0.2 mile to the trailhead on the right (west) side of the road (approximately 250’ past Barlow Road).
From the Forest Service
All fees
Day use (May-Oct):
$5/vehicle/day at Barlow Pass Trailhead/Sno-Park from May 1 through October 31.
Northwest Forest pass and Interagency pass are accepted in lieu of day use fee.
Parking at Pioneer Woman's Grave Trailhead is free.
Winter (Nov- April) use:
Sno-Park Permit is required at Barlow Pass Trailhead/Sno-Park.
Annual Permit: $25
3-day Permit: $9
1-day Permit: $4
Passes and permits
Oregon Sno-Park permit is required in designated sno-parks, including Barlow Pass Trailhead/Sno-Park, from November 1 through April 30. Permits are sold in DMV field offices and by permit sales agents at various locations like winter resorts, sporting goods stores and other retail outlets.
A valid Recreation Pass is required to park at Barlow Pass Trailhead/Sno-Park from May 1 through October 31. A pass isn't required to park at Pioneer Woman's Grave Trailhead.
Trails nearby
Barlow Butte Trail #670
10 mi round trip
4,075 ft
Very hard
Pacific Crest Trail (Hood River RD)
40.4 mi round trip
6,003 ft
Very hard
Pacific Crest Trail (Zigzag RD)
85.4 mi round trip
16,324 ft
Very hard
Devils Half Acre Trail #482A
1.8 mi round trip
562 ft
Easy
Snowbunny Trail
3.6 mi round trip
567 ft
Palmeteer Trail #482
4 mi round trip
970 ft
Moderate
Yellowjacket Trail
10.8 mi round trip
1,317 ft
White Away Trail
1.8 mi round trip
292 ft
Upper White River Trail
2 mi round trip
430 ft
Twin Lakes Trail #495
6 mi round trip
950 ft
Hard
Trillium Lake Loop Trail #761
1.8 mi loop
11 ft
Easy
