Yale Reservoir IP Road Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: IP Road Trailhead
- End point: Canyon Washout
- Hike type: In and out
- Distance: 7.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 120 feet
- High point: 560 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
The hydroelectric projects on the lower Lewis River encompass three big dams backing up large reservoirs operated by PacifiCorp. A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requirement mandates that PacifiCorp provide recreational opportunities in the area. The energy company operates two campgrounds along the west shore of 3,600 acre Yale Lake, but recently took on the task of improving the International Paper haul road on the east shore. This road has been gated since 2008, and in January 2009, a storm took out a major chunk of the road. Repairs have been made to the northern 3 ½ miles of the road, up to the 2009 washout, so that cyclists and hikers can enjoy a relatively flat lakeside outing. The route is especially quiet in the fall, winter, and early spring, when the west shore campgrounds are closed and boaters are not using the lake. No hunting is allowed in the area. There have been plans to build a parking area with a vault toilet and install picnic tables and benches.
Walk around the gate on this two-lane paved road. You may not see the road surface in places because of a carpet of maple leaves. This first section takes you through a section of lovely Douglas-fir, cedar, and hemlock forest. Sword fern slopes spill down to the road. You can look down to see the alder-rimmed Lewis River rushing below. The road descends, and you'll get a view to the spillway for the Swift Number Two Forebay and a power station. Pass over a repaired slide area, and reach the east end of Yale Lake.
The road levels as it runs along the shore of the lake below a steep slope. Pass by several steep gullies. Looking across the water, you can see Cougar Park. There are several mossy cliff cuttings and more repaired slides. In one spot, huge rocks have peeled off the face above. Hike over a large culvert at a pretty cascading creek with a waterfall upstream. Soon reach the Canyon Washout, where a large section of the road was taken out during a winter storm in January 2009. You can explore up the creek a few yards and also scramble down to the shore of the lake at the creek mouth.
The road is unmaintained from this point, but can still be hiked or biked, with slides to be negotiated, until you reach the end of PacifiCorp property. (Obey No Trespassing signs if you choose to venture farther.) About 3 ½ miles from the Canyon Washout is the bridge over Siouxon Creek. The IP Road continues inland several miles to reach Healy Road near Chelatchie.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Display your Discover Pass if you have one. There has been a citation for the Discover Pass issued here, but this is a PacifiCorp trail. The citation was voided in court, but it's better to display the pass just to save yourself the trouble.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Yale Reservoir IP Road Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Yale Reservoir IP Road Hike
- IP Road requires Discover Pass?
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hiking: Mount St. Helens by Craig Romano & Aaron Theisen
More Links
- IP Road (former Yale Reservoir Logging Road) (Washington Trails Association)
- Yale Reservoir Logging Road Trail (Washington Trails Association)
- Yale Lake IP Road Trail (PacifiCorp)
- “Winter trio offer low-elevation hiking” (The Columbian)
- “Yale Reservoir logging road (TDN.com)
- “Old IP road offers rough, scenic ride along south side of Yale Reservoir” (TDN.com)
- “Former logging road along Yale Reservoir scheduled to become a trail” (The Columbian)
- Lewis River (PacifiCorp)
- Yale Reservoir (Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)