Historic Hood River
Mosier Twin Tunnels
1-9-2026
Notes
The “Twin Tunnels” on the Columbia River Highway don’t get nearly as much attention as the Mitchell Point Tunnel or the Oneonta Tunnel, perhaps because this section opened to traffic about seven years later. This image is from a postcard pack purchased in 1923, showing even at that early date they were struggling to control traffic and parking at congestion points along the highway.
This portal to the tunnel is now largely obscured by the rock catchment structure built to keep rocks from bonking people in the head. Columbia Gorge basalt cliffs are notoriously crumbly, so falling rocks have always been a hazard along the scenic route.
Kalley
I remember when the tunnels were opened back up. The rock that they used to close up the tunnels was excavated out and brought to the Hood River Port area. I had heard that there were many rattlesnakes in that rock debris.
Years later when the Waterfront park was built out, I was walking and saw a baby snake. I walked up towards it( I like snakes) and it coiled up and struck out. It was a baby rattler. I’m sure that we have them all around Hood River though, not just the descendants of the Mosier Twin Tunnels!
Arlen
and I remember the one-way traffic attempt signals that some truckers would take out with their trailers.
great postcard!
L. E.
I once read or heard that our big, black, boring, bonk on the head basalt, is crumbly because of the Missoula Floods. I don’t know if that is true, but it is definitely crumbly and unstable.