Difference between revisions of "Tooth Rock Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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== Hike Description == | == Hike Description == | ||
[[Image:Sample.JPG|thumb|250px|Describe destination image here|left]] | [[Image:Sample.JPG|thumb|250px|Describe destination image here|left]] | ||
| − | When the original Columbia River Highway was designed by Samuel Lancaster and others it was decided to skirt Tooth Rock on a pair of viaducts. The | + | When the original Columbia River Highway was designed by Samuel Lancaster and others it was decided to skirt Tooth Rock on a pair of viaducts. The road was abandoned in 1937 when a new tunnel was drilled through the rock. The old viaducts remained in place largely forgotten for almost 60 years. In 1996 this portion of the old highway was refurbished as a hiking and bicycling path. The Eagle Creek Viaduct was repaired from the rockfall damage and a new pedestrian bridge was built over the east portal of Toothrock Tunnel. This hike explores all of these areas and more. |
| − | + | Start at the [[Tooth Rock Trailhead]] and hike the Historic Highway eastward. The first part of the path is little more than a freeway shoulder but soon you'll veer away form the freeway a bit as the old highway works it way through the trees. After a bit, the highway trail turns north and crosses above the modern Interstate. Soon you'll come to Tooth Rock Viaduct, which is basically a bridge pinned to the side of the mountain. Railings here are similar to the [[Moffett Creek Bridge]] and the [[Sheppard's Dell|Sheppard's Dell Bridge]]. The old road loops around Tooth Rock with some amazing views of [[Bonneville Dam]], the Columbai River and the westbound freeway lanes constructed in the 1950s. On the east side of the rock the highway crosses [[Eagle Creek Viaduct]]. This viaduct was heavily damaged by a rockslide during the construction of a new powerhouse at the dam and much of the original railing was lost. The deck and railing were repaired for trail use. A new footbridge spans the Interstate at the east end of Tooth Rock Tunnel. Next, the Historic Trail comes to set of stairs that lead down to the freeway. The next piece of old highway was completely demolished to make room for the 1937 highway, not the eastbound lanes of I-84. The HCRHT continues east as a wide highway shoulder, protected from modern traffic by modern barricades. | |
| + | Instead of continuing east here, hang a right on the Tooth Rock Portage Road Loop. This path follows an even older road. | ||
Revision as of 01:18, 4 January 2007
Needs pics
Contents |
Info
- Start point: Tooth Rock Trailhead
- End point: Tooth Rock Trailhead
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 2.0 miles
- Elevation gain: 100 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Year Round
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Hike Description
When the original Columbia River Highway was designed by Samuel Lancaster and others it was decided to skirt Tooth Rock on a pair of viaducts. The road was abandoned in 1937 when a new tunnel was drilled through the rock. The old viaducts remained in place largely forgotten for almost 60 years. In 1996 this portion of the old highway was refurbished as a hiking and bicycling path. The Eagle Creek Viaduct was repaired from the rockfall damage and a new pedestrian bridge was built over the east portal of Toothrock Tunnel. This hike explores all of these areas and more.
Start at the Tooth Rock Trailhead and hike the Historic Highway eastward. The first part of the path is little more than a freeway shoulder but soon you'll veer away form the freeway a bit as the old highway works it way through the trees. After a bit, the highway trail turns north and crosses above the modern Interstate. Soon you'll come to Tooth Rock Viaduct, which is basically a bridge pinned to the side of the mountain. Railings here are similar to the Moffett Creek Bridge and the Sheppard's Dell Bridge. The old road loops around Tooth Rock with some amazing views of Bonneville Dam, the Columbai River and the westbound freeway lanes constructed in the 1950s. On the east side of the rock the highway crosses Eagle Creek Viaduct. This viaduct was heavily damaged by a rockslide during the construction of a new powerhouse at the dam and much of the original railing was lost. The deck and railing were repaired for trail use. A new footbridge spans the Interstate at the east end of Tooth Rock Tunnel. Next, the Historic Trail comes to set of stairs that lead down to the freeway. The next piece of old highway was completely demolished to make room for the 1937 highway, not the eastbound lanes of I-84. The HCRHT continues east as a wide highway shoulder, protected from modern traffic by modern barricades.
Instead of continuing east here, hang a right on the Tooth Rock Portage Road Loop. This path follows an even older road.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- List any required passes here
Trip Reports
- (Click here to add your own)
Related Discussions / Q&A
- (Click here to ask a question or start a conversation)
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Saebury Blair, Jr.
- Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver, by Douglas Lorain
- 35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge, by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes, by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Hiking the Columbia River Gorge - 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon - 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)