Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano

Author:Craig Romano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Mountaineers Books
Published: 2011-04-05T04:00:00+00:00

GETTING THERE

The trailhead is on State Route 14 in Lyle, located just before the junction with SR 142 (elev. 150 ft). Privy available. (From Portland, drive I-84 east to exit 64 in Hood River and take the toll bridge—$0.75—into Washington. Turn right, or east, on SR 14 and drive 10.7 miles to Lyle and the trailhead.)

ON THE TRAIL

A spectacular rail trail that nearly met its demise due to a contingent of threatening opponents, the Klickitat Trail is alive and well today due to the untiring efforts of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC) and others. Managed cooperatively by the KTC, U.S. Forest Service, and Washington State Parks, it is absolutely imperative that you adhere to all posted regulations—particularly keeping your dog leashed and not leaving the trail right-of-way onto adjacent private property. Tensions over the trail have simmered, and you can help assuage the concerns of abutting property owners by being a good steward.

An excellent 10.5 mile one-way hike requires a car shuttle to pick you up at the Pitt trailhead (10 miles north on SR 142). Otherwise, an out and back will do from either direction.

From a brand-new trailhead (opened 2010), head north on a wide and smooth trail. The 1.6 miles between Lyle and the Fisher Trestle will eventually be paved to allow for wheelchair access. The remainder of the trail will remain natural surfaced. Paralleling SR 142 and passing a few homes, the trail gently climbs out of the Columbia River valley. At about 0.9 mile, cross a dirt road leading left, down to a county park on the Klickitat River. At 1.6 miles, leave the Columbia Gorge Natural Scenic Area and cross the Klickitat River on a high (recently restored) trestle. Stare down into “the Narrows,” a deep basalt chasm. Notice, too, planking suspended above the roiling river. Native Americans dipnet fish from the planking, one of only two areas within the Columbia drainage where this practice continues.

Cross Fisher Hill Road (an alternative trailhead) and continue north, passing tribal land. With SR 142 now on the opposite side of the river, enjoy miles of roadless, houseless, semi-wild walking. The tread can be rough at times, with rocky sections, but the grade is always gentle. Views are continuous of river rapids and steep oak-covered hills. One of only a few federally protected Wild and Scenic rivers in Washington, the Klickitat is coveted by kayakers (watch for them) and teeming with birds. Look for mergansers riding the currents and kingfishers scrutinizing the currents for bounty.

At about 5.5 miles, the way is routed around a small washout before passing through a stretch of ponderosa pines away from the river. This is a good turnaround spot if you’re hiking out and back. Otherwise, continue and at 7 miles pass a lone homestead connected to the outside world by cable crossing.

The trail then once again brushes up along the river, retreats into forest, and then emerges along the river once again. Here at about 8 miles is a particularly attractive area of ledge along the riverbank—a fine spot for a siesta.

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