The road from the Dalles to Tygh Valley was very hilly.  The valley was small, but fertile, and inhabited by the Tygh valley tribe.  
 
On October 1, 1845, Barlow and three men scouted ahead of their company and entered Mount Hood's foothills from the east near Tygh Creek, about 35 miles (56 km) from the mouth of the Deschutes River. They came within perhaps 12 miles (19 km) of Mount Hood. They thought they had glimpsed the Willamette Valley, and learned from the Indians of a trail leading to Oregon City, but returned to Tygh Creek about five days after their departure. There, Joel Palmer was waiting for him with a 23-wagon party. Palmer had followed Barlow for a better route, and had just returned from exploring the same area. [4] The combined company organized road clearing through the forest, mostly by burning.
 
Emigrants took refuge in the valley, preparing wagons, lightening their loads, washing and cooking in advance of the ascent into the Cascade Mountains. Tygh Valley also had a trading post run by a Frenchman, where pioneers could restock supplies, such as oats and potatoes.

Credits and Sources:

Clackamas County Historical Society and Wasco County Historical Society, Barlow Road, Marverick Publications, Bend, OR, 1998.
 
Photos:
 
National Forest Service. No date. Tygh Valley looking up the valley. From the National Forest Service
 
Risberg, Erica, Ph.D. 2014. IMG_1457 – Tygh Valley.  [digital image].
 
Audio:
Diary excerpts:
 
John T. Kern
Philura Vanderburg