|
| |
| |
|
| |
Swale Canyon Closed for Fire Season
|
Though the DNR rating for the county still appears to be "moderate" and the weather continues to fluctuate, there have been fires in the area that have pushed Washington State Parks to make an executive decision to close Swale Canyon at this time. The closure generally lifts around mid-October. All other portions of the trail are open year around.
|
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Construction for the new Lyle Trailhead has begun. This has been a long-awaited event, the result of many years of hard work and planning, and seemingly endless delays. Funded by the U.S. Forest Service, this trailhead will be the main entrance to the lower end of the Klickitat Trail. The location is on the east side of the Klickitat River at the west end of Lyle, Washington, just off of SR-14, on SR-142.
The existing Lyle trailhead will be closed until further notice. Interim parking is available at Balfour-Klickitat Day Use Park, approximately 1/4 mile west. Additional interim parking is also available at Milepost 1, locally known as the "County Park." The new parking area will be mostly paved with a nice vault toilet and an information kiosk. Construction is projected to be completed by Labor Day 2010.
The alternate meeting place for organized events will be at the Balfour-Klickitat Day Use Park. Heading east, as you approach Lyle, turn left onto Old Hwy 8. This is just before crossing the Klickitat River. Follow Old Hwy 8 for approximately 1/4 mile to the parking lot on the east side of the road. There is a restroom at the park. If you are heading west on SR-14, you will travel through Lyle and cross the Klickitat River before turning right onto Old Hwy 8. Please be safe and avoid the construction zone and workers
Read the article about the project in the White Salmon Enterprise.
|
|
|
|
|
There is a lot of poison oak along the edges of the Trail, and there are plenty of ticks and some rattlesnakes. Ticks are common all over the Gorge. Even parts of the Hood River area have ticks. Hikers need to be aware and vigilant about checking themselves. For your information, here are a couple informational links about Lyme Disease:
Information brochure:
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/LymeRPrimer.pdf
Lyme disease symptom checklist:
http://www.nclyme.org/questionnaire.html
|
|
|
PROTECT YOUR DOG!! USE THAT LEASH
For the sake of your pet’s welfare, for the sake of the wildlife, and for the sake of maintaining a good relationship between trail users and adjacent property owners, keep your dog on leash at all times when walking or riding on the Klickitat Trail.
Almost all of the property adjacent to the Trail is private and belongs to someone else. Washington State law is very clear regarding these situations. Property owners have the right to protect their property and their livestock by whatever means necessary without warning. There are sections of the Trail where there are no houses, and then you might come around the corner and there is someone's place with a yard full of chickens, or llamas or other animals. Or there may be no houses, but someone's cows are up on the hillsides with young calves.
There is another important reason for leashing pets on the Trail. The wildlife that lives there is in its home. We are guests there. Running a deer into the River, disturbing the nest of ground nesting birds, digging holes after a ground squirrel, or "getting" a lizard is a very real violation of our roles as visitors.
So please, for the sake of your pet and for the sake of the sometimes fragile relationship Trail users have with some of the adjacent property owners, and for your own safety, keep your dog on leash at all times when walking or riding on the Klickitat Trail.
See WAC 352-32-060 for details pertaining to Pets on State Park Areas found on the KTC Trail Guidelines page.
|
|
|
|
Trail Use Reminders
-
Pets are not allowed on KTC sponsored events.
-
Smoking absolutely forbidden on the Trail
-
Horses are not allowed on the Trail at this time.
-
No camping allowed on the Trail property.
-
Thanks for your cooperation.
|
|
|
|
|
Be Prepared! Goat Head Thorns Cause Flat Tires |
| The trail contains an almost guaranteed opportunity for flat tires due to Goat Head thorns, especially near the town of Klickitat. The trail contains hazards such as these and that it is very rough on the rider without shocks or with high pressure tires. Carry extra patches, tubes and using Mr. Tuffy tire liners would be excellent ways to be prepared. So you can see what you are up against, here is a picture of the Goat Head thorn. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
