Klickitat Trail
Encyclopedia
The Klickitat Trail is a 31 miles (49.9 km) long rail trail
that follows the Klickitat River
in southern Washington in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge
. The cycling
and hiking
trail offers spectacular river and canyon views throughout its length. The Klickitat Trail extends from Warwick, Washington, on the high prairie of the Goldendale Plateau, winds its way down through Swale Canyon before turning to follow the nationally designed Wild & Scenic Klickitat River to the Columbia River at Lyle, Washington. The Trail follows the old railroad corridor that at one time linked the towns of Lyle
and Goldendale.
The Klickitat Trail is unique among rail trails. Nowhere else is there a rail trail that starts in a remote, beautiful tributary canyon, winds along a nationally designated Wild & Scenic River, and finishes in one of the nation's National Scenic Areas.
The Klickitat Trail Story:
In 1903, the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railroad built the original railroad linking Lyle and Goldendale to transport crops, lumber, and livestock. Passenger service existed for several years during the 1920s between Portland, Oregon, and Goldendale, Washington. Lumber was king and the railroad was an important part of its transport until the 1980s. It was abandoned in 1992 following the decline of the lumber mill in the town of Klickitat and the mill in Goldendale. The railroad right-of-way was purchased in 1993 by the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Ownership of the rail line was transferred to Washington State Parks in 1994. Despite some local opposition, public support prevailed. In 2003, local supporters of the Trail formed the Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC). The Klickitat Trail, a public right of way, is now managed cooperatively by Washington State, the U.S. Forest Service, and the KTC. In 2007-2008, the U.S. Forest Service completed its Trail management and development plan which includes a partnership with the Klicktitat Trail Conservancy (KTC) and Washington State Parks. This is the plan under which all three organizations are currently working.
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
that follows the Klickitat River
Klickitat River
The Klickitat River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately long, in south-central Washington in the United States. It drains a rugged plateau area on the eastern side of the Cascade Range northeast of Portland, Oregon...
in southern Washington in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to deep, the canyon stretches for over as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range forming the boundary between the State of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south...
. The cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
and hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail offers spectacular river and canyon views throughout its length. The Klickitat Trail extends from Warwick, Washington, on the high prairie of the Goldendale Plateau, winds its way down through Swale Canyon before turning to follow the nationally designed Wild & Scenic Klickitat River to the Columbia River at Lyle, Washington. The Trail follows the old railroad corridor that at one time linked the towns of Lyle
Lyle, Washington
Lyle is a census-designated place in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. The population was 530 at the 2000 census.- History :...
and Goldendale.
The Klickitat Trail is unique among rail trails. Nowhere else is there a rail trail that starts in a remote, beautiful tributary canyon, winds along a nationally designated Wild & Scenic River, and finishes in one of the nation's National Scenic Areas.
The Klickitat Trail Story:
In 1903, the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railroad built the original railroad linking Lyle and Goldendale to transport crops, lumber, and livestock. Passenger service existed for several years during the 1920s between Portland, Oregon, and Goldendale, Washington. Lumber was king and the railroad was an important part of its transport until the 1980s. It was abandoned in 1992 following the decline of the lumber mill in the town of Klickitat and the mill in Goldendale. The railroad right-of-way was purchased in 1993 by the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Ownership of the rail line was transferred to Washington State Parks in 1994. Despite some local opposition, public support prevailed. In 2003, local supporters of the Trail formed the Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC). The Klickitat Trail, a public right of way, is now managed cooperatively by Washington State, the U.S. Forest Service, and the KTC. In 2007-2008, the U.S. Forest Service completed its Trail management and development plan which includes a partnership with the Klicktitat Trail Conservancy (KTC) and Washington State Parks. This is the plan under which all three organizations are currently working.