Update for all you logging railroad fans

This is a forum for trip reports that pre-date the Portland Hikers forum, trail photos from pre-digital era, or any other discussions that focus on trail history.
RexSe7en
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Re: Update for all you logging railroad fans

Post by RexSe7en » December 26th, 2013, 8:07 pm

Limey wrote:I just hope we can get it all scoped out including the old camp before we lose access. Maybe after we get all the routes worked out we can have a trestle trek for interested parties. :)
Count me as one of the interested parties! :D

Limey
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Re: Update for all you logging railroad fans

Post by Limey » December 29th, 2013, 10:17 am

Christmas Day dawned with great plans for a lengthy exploration but unexpected company kept us at home till shortly after 1pm. This will probably take a couple of posts as I have too many pictures even after sorting thru them. Didn't take any pictures on the way in because I didn't know what we would find and I wanted to save the batteries. We found the switchback which was way too overgrown to get pictures of so the first picture is after we fought our way through to emerge at the top of the big slide.
switchback expedition 002 (1024x575).jpg
The railbed crossed the top of the slide and passed between two rock formations before becoming trestle to cross a steep gully.
switchback expedition 003 (1024x575).jpg
switchback expedition 004 (1024x575).jpg
switchback expedition 005 (1024x575).jpg
Now we are approaching the gully.
switchback expedition 006 (1024x575).jpg
switchback expedition 007 (1024x575).jpg
There has been quite a bit of rockfall along this stretch and of course the big slide.
switchback expedition 008 (1024x575).jpg
Looking across the gully to the continuation of the railbed.
switchback expedition 009 (1024x575).jpg
Here is a zoom of the other side
switchback expedition 012 (1024x575).jpg
Back in the spring I posted a picture of trestle pieces on another thread that showed a letter G on the rock. Here is that G up close and personal
switchback expedition 013 (1024x575).jpg
And a little different angle.
switchback expedition 014 (1024x575).jpg
Running out of attachment room. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Limey
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Joined: December 19th, 2012, 2:34 pm

Re: Update for all you logging railroad fans

Post by Limey » December 29th, 2013, 10:48 am

As promised, there's more. Here is another couple of views across the gully.
switchback expedition 015 (1024x575).jpg
switchback expedition 016 (1024x575).jpg
Now it was time to retrace our steps to where the tracks split at the switchback. Heading back to cross the top of the slide
switchback expedition 017 (1024x575).jpg
Top of slide
switchback expedition 021 (1024x575).jpg
Exiting the top of slide area.
switchback expedition 020 (1024x575).jpg
Going back in to the hellishly overgrown switchback area
switchback expedition 024 (1024x575).jpg
We could only get to where the rail line split, the actual switchback was way too overgrown and I don't know if I've mentioned it before but I'm too old to keep pretending I'm a rabbit :) On the other leg of the split looking back toward the switchback.
switchback expedition 026 (1024x575).jpg
Now we are looking in the direction that leads back to the mill at Dee, also the route we have to go to find the old camp.
switchback expedition 025 (1024x575).jpg
We have one last section of railbed , between the two gullies, to document. Haven't quite figured out how to get there yet but you can be sure that when we do, we will let you know. Unless of course you're getting bored with all this :lol:

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BrianEdwards
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Re: Update for all you logging railroad fans

Post by BrianEdwards » December 29th, 2013, 11:59 am

Wow! Great stuff. Look at all the trestle remains. That had to be one hair raising line to operate with a train of logs. Thanks for sharing.
Clackamas River Waterfall Project - 95 Documented, 18 to go.

Limey
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Joined: December 19th, 2012, 2:34 pm

Re: Update for all you logging railroad fans

Post by Limey » January 15th, 2014, 8:56 am

TEASER!! Tomorrow we're going back to see if we can penetrate the rest of the switchback and then see if we can find the old camp. Also, after looking at old maps, there is a drainage that the line crossed before reaching this area. We know that drainage as we have bushwhacked partway up from the bottom, it is very deep so they would have had to have a trestle there too. Yay, more to explore.

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