Gorge-Historic Columbia River Highway Trail Cascade Locks Junction
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this location:
- Cascade Locks West Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.64964, -121.91043
- Elevation: 230 feet
Description
The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and the Gorge Trail traverse a lot of the same area, but they serve different purposes for different users. The highway is sometimes called the "bike" path and that may be its primary purpose. It's also an effort to link remaining sections of the old highway for historical purposes. That means that the HCRHT sometimes needs to cross I-84 to link the pieces and this is one of those places. In 1998, a new tunnel was dug beneath the freeway and fitted with a stone portal resembling the rockwork done on the original highway.
The Gorge Trail on the other hand, caters mainly to hikers although mountain bikers may use some sections. It connects more than a dozen trailheads, creating numerous loop opportunities. While most of the Gorge Trail is much too noisy for any kind of escape, it does provide a needed link between trailheads for backpackers making long loop hikes. The Gorge Trail heads east from here sharply up a little hill to its accustomed place near the shoulder of the freeway.
At times, both purposes can be served by one trail. West of here, the Gorge Trail shares the old highway route with the HCRHT almost to the Eagle Creek Campground.
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)