Chenoweth Tableland access
Posted: April 27th, 2019, 8:32 pm
This is not about a trail that needs repair, it's about a trail that needs to be created. Chenoweth Tableland is a fantastic slice of public land (owned by the USFS) that currently has NO feasible public access.
While it is legally possible to access the plateau from Sandlin Road on the west side, the locals have posted a sign nearby that reads, "THIS ROAD IS MAINTAINED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO ARE ANGRY YOU HAVE PARKED HERE. CONSIDER PARKING ELSEWHERE." The Oregon Hikers Field Guide suggests parking back at the end of the pavement on Sandlin Road, but I wouldn't feel comfortable walking along a road in front of the homes of people who hate me on principle.
In the past, there was access from the shuttered Chenowith Middle School, or from the water tanks at the end of Chinook Street. But, as the Field Guide notes, the school is now surrounded by "NO TRESPASSING" signs, and barbed-wire fences have gone up around all of the privately-owned property on the east side of the plateau, blocking the water tank access.
Here's a map of the current situation (green is the USFS land):
But, with a little exploration, I did find one possible way to access the property legally and without angering any locals: park on Chenowith Creek Road on the far northeast corner of the public land. There's a nice wide cinder shoulder outside the bike lane.
From there, it's a short walk through an opening in an old fence across a field to Chenoweth Creek.
After you rock-hop or ford the creek, it's only about 550 feet horizontally (and 160 feet vertically) to the existing trail system. The only hitch is that the first half of that climb is in dense woods/brush that's heavily infested with poison-oak. (I didn't try it because it was too dark by the time I got there.)
So, here's what I think should happen: It seems to me this would be an very easy trail for TKO or the Forest Service to put in. A couple of people with machetes could probably do it in a day! Of course, a proper trail would probably need a switchback or two (or some steps), since the slope above the creek might be as high as 50%. (And I realize there's going to be bureaucracy involved that I know nothing about.)
So, TKO folks, what do you think? Is this a feasible idea? Whom do we contact?
While it is legally possible to access the plateau from Sandlin Road on the west side, the locals have posted a sign nearby that reads, "THIS ROAD IS MAINTAINED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO ARE ANGRY YOU HAVE PARKED HERE. CONSIDER PARKING ELSEWHERE." The Oregon Hikers Field Guide suggests parking back at the end of the pavement on Sandlin Road, but I wouldn't feel comfortable walking along a road in front of the homes of people who hate me on principle.
In the past, there was access from the shuttered Chenowith Middle School, or from the water tanks at the end of Chinook Street. But, as the Field Guide notes, the school is now surrounded by "NO TRESPASSING" signs, and barbed-wire fences have gone up around all of the privately-owned property on the east side of the plateau, blocking the water tank access.
Here's a map of the current situation (green is the USFS land):
But, with a little exploration, I did find one possible way to access the property legally and without angering any locals: park on Chenowith Creek Road on the far northeast corner of the public land. There's a nice wide cinder shoulder outside the bike lane.
From there, it's a short walk through an opening in an old fence across a field to Chenoweth Creek.
After you rock-hop or ford the creek, it's only about 550 feet horizontally (and 160 feet vertically) to the existing trail system. The only hitch is that the first half of that climb is in dense woods/brush that's heavily infested with poison-oak. (I didn't try it because it was too dark by the time I got there.)
So, here's what I think should happen: It seems to me this would be an very easy trail for TKO or the Forest Service to put in. A couple of people with machetes could probably do it in a day! Of course, a proper trail would probably need a switchback or two (or some steps), since the slope above the creek might be as high as 50%. (And I realize there's going to be bureaucracy involved that I know nothing about.)
So, TKO folks, what do you think? Is this a feasible idea? Whom do we contact?