Mt. Hood Myth & Legends
By: Amber Ford, The Mountain Times
Estimated to be between 500,000 - 700,000 years old, Mt. Hood has mesmerized people since man first beheld its majesty. With vast expanses of uncharted forests, the dark and rainy winter months, and the air of mystery that surrounds the Cascades, Mt. Hood has secrets we may never fully comprehend. But that does not stop locals and storytellers from passing down generations of myths, legends, and, perhaps, some truths. These are just a few spooky legends that reside in our own backyard.
The Cat People
Like most local legends, this particular story has been passed down by neighbors for decades. According to many Mt. Hood Villages residents, “The Cat People” are said to live up Forest Service Road 26 and have created a plethora of cat-like behaviors. Believed to be a group of nomads, roaming and living off-grid, it is said these individuals have gone so far as shaving down their teeth to give the impression of fangs. Similar to actual big game cats, “The Cat People” are said to hunt their prey at dawn or dusk, and some residents claim to have heard their cries during those hours. Although no confirmed sightings have ever been recorded by The Mt. Hood National Forest authorities, residents of The Mt. Hood Villages often look up to the ridgelines and wonder if all the big cats lurking in the shadows are really big cats at all.
Silent Rock
Many mythical legends call The Mt. Hood National Forest home. Silent Rock is one of the formations people see when traveling along Highway 26 in The Mt. Hood Corridor. Located just west of Government Camp stands Silent Rock, a man-made rock formation that was completed during the construction of Highway 26. Local legend says that the formation was made to honor those who lost their lives during the very extensive, very dangerous, construction of Highway 26 – and that anyone who does not adhere to silence upon passing will reap severe consequences. The local legend suggests that anyone passing Silent Rock must remain completely silent, turning off radios, not speaking, even holding their breath, or wicked things could be the consequence. Some locals have reported car troubles, immediate bad luck, and even accidents following a lack of adherence to the rules of Silent Rock. The legend remains an important part of Mt. Hood Villages’ history.
The Disappearance of Oscar Williams
The Mt. Hood National Forest is home to many animals community members hunt each year. Deer, elk, and bear are some of the most popular for sportsmen, but what happens when the hunter becomes the hunted? According to unofficial, but extremely knowledgeable, local historian Milt Fox, the strange disappearance of local hunter Oscar Williams has been the stuff of legend for decades. According to Fox, in 1952, Williams set out on a local hunting expedition and never came back. Search and rescue efforts were launched, but the only evidence they discovered was his rifle; no trace evidence or remains were ever discovered. What makes this story even more bizarre, according to Fox, was that years later Willams’ son also went missing in The Mt. Hood Villages. Although the details of the latter’s disappearance are vague at best, it is eerily similar to the case of his father; a search and rescue mission was held and again, nothing was ever discovered. While many get lost or go missing in The Mt. Hood National Forest every year, over time the person or the remains are found, but in the case of Williams and his son, their whereabouts are still unknown over 70 years later.
The Hillside People
Similar to “The Cat People,” “The Hillside People” are another part of Mt. Hood Villages’ lore. Said to be dwelling up Lolo Pass road, just underneath the power lines, residents claim to see what look like shining eyes and campfire glow once nightfall hits. Local legend also says these individuals could be supernatural, perhaps even from another universe. According to Mt. Hood Villages resident Ashley Hergenrader, the light phenomenon is something she has seen for the last 23 years she’s lived up here. “If you go up Lolo Pass to the lookout spot under the power lines and look to the westside hillside, there are what appear to be campfires going every night,” she said, adding “I’ve seen them every night I’ve been up there for the last 23 years.” Hergenrader believes there is a perfectly rational explanation for this, explaining “it’s actually a reflection of some type of glare from the power lines.” Perhaps this local legend is easily explained, or perhaps there really are creatures from another world camped out in The Mt. Hood National Forest. I mean, do we really believe we are the only species who enjoys S’mores around a campfire?
Bigfoot
No article on legends and myths surrounding The Mt. Hood National Forest would be complete without everyone’s favorite elusive neighbor, Bigfoot. With more Bigfoot sightings than any other state, Oregon’s become a hotspot for sightings and “evidence” of the existence of the creature. On any given day, at any local watering hole, residents have shared their personal accounts of seeing or hearing Bigfoot. Encounters ranging from hunters hearing strange noises and disturbances in the woods to families searching for Christmas trees and seeing large prints in the snow are just a few of the fabled experiences. Present day, Bigfoot is depicted as a giant, scary beast doing his absolute best to terrify people. Native American legend has a much different take. According to many Native cultures, coexistence with Bigfoot is harmonious. Using his powers for protection, legend paints him as more as a spiritual being. Whether Bigfoot means well or aims to terrify, his legend is almost as big as Mt. Hood itself.