Effective 10/15/09, the Swale Canyon portion of the Klickitat Trail is open to public use once again now that DNR has determined the fire danger to be "low." Perfect timing because this is a beautiful time of year to hike or bike the trail. Gorgeous fall colors!
Please remember that the Canyon is remote, cell phones do not work, there is no water to drink for 13 miles. There is no way out of the Canyon other than the ends. Be aware, too, that Schilling Rd. (especially) and Horseshoe Bend Rd. can become muddy and dangerous this time of year. Keep this in mind when setting up shuttles, etc.
These photos are from the start of the Trail in Lyle heading north toward the Fisher Hill Bridge. They show the nice new surface work that was done in the past two weeks. Two sections of the Klickitat Trail were redone - the Trail through the town of Klickitat and the Trail from its starting point in Lyle up 1.7 miles to the Fisher Hill Bridge. These sections will eventually be paved to allow users of all sorts access to a smooth Trail right in their communities. The present surface is fine compacted gravel. With the coming rains of winter, hopefully the surface will firm up as the fines wash in between the larger gravel pieces.
Located in southern Washington State, in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, the Klickitat Trail follows the first 31 miles of an old railroad corridor linking the towns of Lyle and Goldendale. It is unique among rail trails. Nowhere else is there a rail trail that starts in a remote, beautiful tributary canyon, winds along a nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, and finishes in one of the nation’s only National Scenic Areas.
The 31-mile gently graded Trail starts in the breathtaking, remote Swale Canyon and passes through the small town of Klickitat before following all 10.5 miles of the beautiful Wild and Scenic Klickitat River. The Trail ends at the trailhead near Lyle, Washington, at the confluence of the Klickitat and Columbia Rivers. The Trail’s spectacular scenery includes carved gorges, interesting geologic formations, abundant wildflowers, rolling oak and ponderosa pine forests, and great birding opportunities, including winter habitat for bald eagles near the Lyle trailhead.
The Klickitat Trail Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Klickitat Rail-to-Trail as a unique recreational asset and legacy for our community.
Along the Wild & Scenic Klickitat River in late Winter.
Photo courtesy of David Melody
The Klickitat Trail Story
In 1903, the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railroad built the original railroad linking Lyle and Goldendale to transport crops, lumber and livestock. Passenger service existed for several years during the 1920s between Portland, Oregon, and Goldendale, Washington. Lumber was king and the railroad was an important part of its transport until the 1980s.
It was abandoned in 1992 following the decline of the lumber mill in the town of Klickitat and the mill in Goldendale. The railroad right-of-way was purchased in 1993 by the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Ownership of the rail line was transferred to Washington State Parks in 1994. Despite some local opposition, public support prevailed. In 2003, local supporters of the Trail formed the Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC). The Trail, a public right of way, is now managed cooperatively by Washington State, the U.S. Forest Service, and the KTC.
In 2007-2008, the U.S. Forest Service completed its Trail management and development plan which includes a partnership with the Klicktitat Trail Conservancy and Washington State Parks. This is the plan under which all three organizations are currently working.
The Trail offers spectacular river and canyon views throughout its length. The beautiful carved gorges of the Klickitat and Swale Canyons, with their rolling oak and pine forested hillsides, host spectacular wildflower displays and provide top notch birding opportunities. These are just a few of the unique attributes that make this Trail truly a gem of the Columbia Gorge and Pacific Northwest, enjoyed by the public throughout the entire year.
View of the trail as it winds
through Swale Canyon.
Photo courtesy of Bob Hansen
Top Photo: From an intact trestle, a stunning view unfolds of the open country
surrounding the Klickitat Trail. Photo courtesy of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and current.
Additions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome.
E-mail: info@klickitat-trail.org
