Historic Hood River
“Wuthering Heights Shelter”
11-16-2021
Notes
This Bill Bryan photo from August 1965 is captioned “‘Wuthering Heights’ shelter on Bald Mountain Ridge.” The hikers are identified as Moe Bryan, Shirley and Dave Falconer, and Elwood “Tweet” Samuel. I think this may be the McNeil Pt. shelter. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can fill us in on the history of this shelter.
Basaltgrouse
I found a picture on Google maps that confirms that this is the McNeil Point shelter on the Northwest flank of Mt Hood. The rocks used in the shelter are a match in both pictures. I have hiked Cathedral Ridge trail and Vista Ridge trail near there but I have never been to this shelter.
James
Ah, Tweet, fond memories, notice his 'high-tech' cell phone in his front pocket…., ahead of his times! I once spent a cramped night in this shelter, 30 + years ago, with three other fellow Rats, as we were on a search for the missing 'Nike' employee, who seemed to disappear on the north side somewhere. After spending the night at the Cairn Basin shelter, we searched high up above there, looking for any sign of that lost Nike employee….., I seem to remember finding some sign of a shredded tent, but no human remains to be found…!
James
Oops, I think it was the McNeil Point shelter that we stayed in….., then our search went up Cathedral ridge to about Ho Rock, where we found that shredded tent. Then we did some searching loops up there, before descending. Rescue operations were centered somewhere on the Lolo pass loop road…., below this Shelter….
Beth
I wonder what they are looking at? All 4 of these People, including Bill Bryan behind the camera, take me back to my childhood- as they were all friends of my parents. They all had kids we ran with. Tweet, David and Bill are all Crag Rats.
And their wives were skilled enough they could of been Rats too- but that was when it was a “boys†only club! Not Any more! David Falconer was an Honorary member; he lived in Portland area and worked as a photographer for the Oregonian. Tweet (Elwoood Samuels)was a book keeper at Duckwall Pooley, never married. He had a beautiful house on West Cliff Dr over looking the Columbia. He was a man of many talents; he grew orchids in a hot house on his property, an accomplished pianist and organist – he had one of each in his house- and he was a painter. His mountain landscapes are magnificent.
Bill Bryan, I think, worked for the Oregonian also…. He was quite a character,
He did security in the Lost ok campground- before the road was paved. I believe the men all served in the military. All of them have passed.
ArthurB
Those are some great facial expressions. It makes me think someone has done something really bone-headed right off camera.
Will
Def McNeil shelter. Was there recently. Could use some love sooner rather than later.
James
Hey Beth, Is Shirley Falconer still with us living…..? I swear Brian H was with/in that group of rats I explained about above…..? I'll have to ask him…..
Beth
No- Shirley has passed also.
Will
From TKO:
The Timberline Trail was originally planned to climb high above the Muddy Fork and over the rocky alpine buttress of McNeil Point. But after construction had begun, trail builders realized that the route would not be possible to build due to the terrain and persistent snowfields. Yet a stone shelter had already been built at McNeil Point and has been a favorite destination of hikers ever since.