Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Recreation

Climbing Mt. Adams

The Legend of Sleeping Beauty Mountain

Squaw Mountain came into the mountains and fell in love with Wy'East (Mt. Hood), a large mountain to the south of the Columbia River. To get Wy'East's attention, she flirted with his brother Pah-toe (Mt. Adams) to the north. This made Wy'East very angry. The two mountains fought over beautiful Squaw Mountain. The brothers fought as great mountains do, shedding their beautiful white coats and belching forth lava, steam and ash. They threw great white-hot stones at each other, setting fire to the forests, killing game and driving people into hiding or causing them to flee the country. The large rocks they threw at one another shook the earth so hard that the Bridge of the Gods, a natural stone bridge spanning the Columbia River broke and fell into the river. They continued to fight until Pah-toe, the larger of the two mountains defeated Wy'East.

It was determined that Squaw Mountain should take her place by the side of the victor, but since it was Wy'East she truly loved, her hart was broken. She laid herself down by the feet of Pah-toe, falling into a deep sleep from which she has never awakened. She is now known as the Sleeping Beauty, and she lies where she fell. It is said that Pah-toe once had a tall straight head like Wy'East, but when he realized the fate of his bride, de dropped his head in shame, never to raise it again.

• The Legend of Mount Adams
• Sleeping Beauty Trail