The Historic Columbia River Highway News is your source for updates and information regarding efforts to remember, restore and reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail--a world class adventure from Portland to The Dalles.
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The Falls Villa at Latourell Falls |
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Historic Highway Advisory Committee
To Meet in Cascade Locks
The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 10 am-3 pm in Cascade Locks Marine Park. The meeting highlights include:
- A detailed walkthrough of the next phase engineering work for the Historic Highway State Trail between Wyeth and Starvation Creek.
- Discussion of the committee's strategic plan for 2014.
To view the meeting agenda and read past meeting minutes please click here. For more information on the Advisory Committee, contact Kristen Stallman.
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Come to the meeting to hear what the committee is working on in 2104. |
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Newest State Trail Section Open!
The Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department have officially opened the newest segment of the Historic Highway State Trail. This 1.6 mile trail connection allows cyclists to ride from Troutdale to Cascade Locks without having to use the shoulder of Interstate 84.
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Elected officials and policy makers joined together celebrating the dedication on Sept. 14, 2013.
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Thanks to Kevin Price of State Parks, the fantastic emcee. |
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Check out our Newest Video
Thanks to Travel Oregon and the Path Less Pedaled Films folks for producing this awesome new video that highlights the benefits the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail will have on our local communities in the Gorge. This video features the mayors from Troutdale, Cascade Locks, Hood River and The Dalles. Check out the video. |
Tale of Two Bridges
In 1915, gala celebrations heralded the grand opening of the Columbia River Highway, on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. The aesthetically beautiful road was an engineering wonder of its time, and Moffett Creek Bridge was hailed as the longest flat arch bridge in the country. But the popularity of motor transportation exploded, and just a few decades later, the new Interstate 84 opened to carry the traffic. During construction of I-84, sections of the Historic Highway were demolished.
This November, nearly 100 years after the grand opening, we have new reasons to celebrate the Historic Columbia River Highway. Restoration of the thirty-mile stretch of highway between Troutdale and Cascade Locks has been completed, opening the old road to the public as a bicycle and pedestrian trail.
The recent 1.6-mile restoration of the Historic Highway near the John B. Yeon Trailhead crosses two bridges. A new bridge over McCord Creek incorporates art deco features reminiscent of the 1930s and the original 1915 Moffett Creek Bridge still stands. After sitting abandoned for decades, the beauty of this old bridge, in tandem with the new Moffett Creek Bridge, will welcome travelers in the Columbia Gorge.
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Historic Moffeet Creek Bridge |
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New Moffett Creek Bridge Photo: Gary Weber, ODOT |
This article originally appeared in the Friends of the Gorge Winter 2013 newsletter.
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Gorge Bike Maps Available
The trail is now officially open and since it is paved you can even explore it in the rain. The best place to access the trail is from either the Bridge of the Gods Trailhead in Cascade Locks or from the Toothrock Trailhead (I-84, Exit 40). Parking is available.
From Cascade Locks to the end of the trail at J. B. Yeon State Park is 6.5 miles. If you are up for a longer ride, consider riding the drivable sections of the Historic Highway to Multnomah Falls and back (11 miles from Cascade Locks). From the Toothrock Trailhead you are a bit closer to the new trail connection. There is a 4.5 mile ride to the J.B Yeon Trailhead.
Check out the new and improved bike maps available here. |
