Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint

Bald Peak was acquired by the state in 1931 after county officials in Washington and Yamhill counties lobbied the state parks commission for a state park for the two counties. The land was purchased from Samuel Otto on June 4, 1931, with the park originally named Bald Peak State Park. In 1939, the location was considered by the parks department as a memorial to the pioneer women of Oregon. State officials decided against this location due to the lack of water and its isolated location away from major roads. However, Bald Peak and the other parks remained open after political pressure forced the department to reconsider their plans. ==Details==

Bald Peak is on top of the Chehalem Mountains at an elevation of above sea level, the highest point in the mountain range. The closest community to the park is Laurelwood, Oregon, with the park generally situated between the cities of Hillsboro to the north and Newberg to the south near the county boundary line between Yamhill and Washington counties. At the park are restrooms, picnic tables, parking, a trail, a forest with Douglas fir trees, but no drinking water. In clear weather, the park offers views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount Jefferson, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier. The viewpoint also gives panoramas of the Tualatin Valley to the north of the park and the Yamhill Valley to the south, with both valleys being parts of the larger Willamette Valley. ==See also==