West of the Tygh valley, the emigrants moved along a grassy ridge about 10 miles to Rock Creek, a tributary to the White River. From there they entered a small canyon at the east end of a half-mile long meadow, and forded a creek. The site had access to grass and water, and became the location for the first toll gate along the Barlow Road. The original toll gate at the Strickland Place on Gate Creek, also known as East Gate, near Wamic on the eastern side was replaced by one at Francis Revenue’s farm on the Sandy River in 1853.
 
The emigrants loosely followed the White River into the Cascades. Early Barlow Road pioneers stayed north of this deep canyon as they headed around Mt. /hood. The White River was named after its color, at times appearing white with glacial silt.

Credits and Sources:

Clackamas County Historical Society and Wasco County Historical Society, Barlow Road, Marverick Publications, Bend, OR, 1998.
 
 
http://thebarlowroad.com/barlow_road_white_river.html
 
 http://www.octa-trails.org/media/dynamic/files/168_Barlow_Road_Guidebook.pdf
 
 Photos:
 
[unknown]. (n.d.). East Gate Creek near Tollgate.  [digital photograph] Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
 
Risberg, Erica. Ph.D. (2014). East Gate Creek. [digital photograph]. Private Collection.
 
image:
East Gate Creek Toll. ephemera. (n.d.) - from Museum of the Oregon Territory.
 
Audio:
Diary excerpts:
 
Elizabeth Goltra
Enoch W. Conyers
Ester Belle McMillan Hanna