I saw this posting on Portland Hikers - I'd never heard about these abandoned buildings before.  Interesting stuff.  I wonder why they never burned them down like they did to so many other buildings? http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=18628

So many efforts have been made to get the FS to take care of that Heritage site. For years an effort was made to secure the buildings. I believe they are in violation of some Historic Site preservation mandate but the site apparently lacks the glitter it requires to get any attention. Now that those fools have posted shots of the interiors, I would be surprised if the site lasts much longer. The State SHPO have been up there but obviously the meetings have been ineffectual. I had always hoped some eco group would want to make a center of some kind out of it.  D 2

Rob Williams said I saw this posting on Portland Hikers - I'd never heard about these abandoned buildings before.  Interesting stuff.  I wonder why they never burned them down like they did to so many other buildings? http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=18628

Rob, The short version of the story is in the maps you have. It started out as the Oak Grove Ranger Station, then highway 224 was pushed through and the FS built Ripplebrook and  moved the operation there. Oak Grove RS became the work camp. It would be the start of what we call the MP3 trail if that piece still existed - may be there but I was unable to locate any trace - been logged. Like I said in a reply to forestkeeper's post, those buildings are posted - I don't think it is legal to enter them. I could be wrong about all this... --Paul

FYI, the "fool" that posted it is an official FS volunteer.  He has cleared trails and works a lot out at Olallie.  They have given him use of one of their pickups when he does volunteering for them. Interesting stuff.  Too bad it hasn't been preserved.  Too bad they didn't offer them up to people to buy/lease or something.   That would be AWESOME - to have a house that far up there!  Kind of like the old trail house, except you wouldn't have to worry about getting kicked out.

If he cares about the place, outing it with interior pictures, it is suppose to be boarded up to protect the asset, invites interest good and bad. The government clearly has no ability to protect or preserve the site so restraint on his part would have been in order. IMO, smiley face.   D 2

Hes also the one that flagged the CST cutoff

Donovan said If he cares about the place, outing it with interior pictures, it is suppose to be boarded up to protect the asset, invites interest good and bad. The government clearly has no ability to protect or preserve the site so restraint on his part would have been in order. IMO, smiley face.

Totally agree - Sometimes discretion is called for.  I just thought you'd be interested to know he was a current official volunteer.

It is great to have a seriously committed volunteer. It is very rewarding. I did similar for about ten years. Two or three times a week scratching on some trail, chasing the snow to get opened up for Memorial Day, etc.. Oak Grove is a sore point with me because of all the energy I put into keeping the plywood up after holiday weekends and hunting seasons. I replaced broken glass at my own expense, meet with the ranger, wrote up proposal, met with the supervisor, lobbied any staff I could, met with the Ranger and SHPO etc., but all was a wasted effort. We have three fabulous Heritage sites that will be real hard to keep from losing. Bull of the Woods, the Waterworks, and Oak Grove. It will take a miracle to save them from being demoed. By the way, a special prize will go to who ever can find the old trail from the Station up to MP3 on the 4635. That was a major route and a significant artifact to try to keep track of. To start follow the crown of the road cut heading west above the Rangers house and you will run onto the only trace of it I ever found on a small crest. From above many have tried to no avail. In my perfect universe, we would be able to go to the guide/packer at Oak Grove and go for nice ride up and around the trails old and restored. Maybe some young energetic folks will crowd source such a venture or find a wealthy, very wealthy, enthusiast to support such a thing. I am sure the FS would love to have that place off their hands. D 2

Donovan said It is great to have a seriously committed volunteer. It is very rewarding. I did similar for about ten years. Two or three times a week scratching on some trail, chasing the snow to get opened up for Memorial Day, etc..

We miss you out in the woods.....  I think the old trails miss you too!