Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The long-awaited Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail is still at least a couple years from completion, but the latest trail segment to open to the public proves that patience can pay off.



A new three-mile section of the trail opened to the public Saturday, connecting Wyeth State Park to Lindsey Creek where it meets up with another trail segment that opened in 2016.



That means cyclists and hikers now have a designated, protected pathway that runs nearly six miles along the Columbia River Gorge, from Wyeth State Park to Viento State Park. That route runs past waterfalls, hiking trails, a campground and spectacular views of one of the most scenic destinations in the Pacific Northwest.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Cyclists leave the Wyeth Trailhead on the new pathway.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Dog Mountain, seen from the newest trail segment.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Summit Creek Viaduct was one of the biggest feats of engineering on the trail so far.

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When complete, the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail will run 73 miles connecting Troutdale to The Dalles, retracing the original scenic highway that was partially destroyed in the construction of Interstate 84. While parts of the trail will be on the new, protected pathway, other sections will run along the Historic Columbia River Highway, sharing the road with cars.

All that remains to be constructed is the five-mile Mitchell Point segment, which requires either blasting a tunnel or building a bridge to connect the western trail segments to Hood River and The Dalles. A 2018 progress report cited 2020 as a target for the start of construction.



The newest segment has been in the works for years and required some of the most serious engineering on the trail to date. Crews constructed the 500-foot Summit Creek Viaduct that rises up above Interstate 84, and had to skirt the trail around the base of an unstable, rocky hill known as Shellrock Mountain.



Cyclists and walkers hit the pavement on a sunny Monday morning, two days after the trail segment opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Riding in pairs and small groups, many stopped to admire the view from the high point on the trail, a beautifully-constructed viewpoint just east of the viaduct.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Cyclists reach a viewpoint at the high point of the new trail segment.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

New fencing protects the path from rockfall on Shellrock Mountain.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Wooden railings line the trail, which mirrors part of the original Columbia River Highway.

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If there’s any downside to the new segment it’s the noise. If you’re seeking peace and quiet in the Columbia River Gorge, this is not the trail for you. The paved trail runs parallel to the freeway the entire way, and during long stretches it’s right next to the traffic.

But that’s a small price to pay considering what you get in return: a safe recreation path down the throat of the gorge.

Former Hood River Mayor Arthur Babitz said he wanted the Columbia River Highway State Trail to be an "international destination" when complete, calling the project "transformational."



It’s clear the engineers and construction crews have taken that sentiment to heart, crafting an attraction that’s worthy of the hype. There’s more work to be done to complete that vision, but for now people will surely flock to the segments that are open – including this new, beautiful stretch of the trail.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Wind Mountain, seen just across the Columbia River.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A marker is embedded in the Summit Creek Viaduct.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Cyclists pass Shellrock Mountain on the new pathway.

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HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY STATE TRAIL: WYETH TO LINDSEY CREEK

Distance: 6.4 miles, round trip

Difficulty: Easy; wheelchair accessible

Amenities: Restrooms, parking, water at trailhead



This stretch of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail begins at the brand new Wyeth Trailhead, found just past the Wyeth State Park campground at exit 51 on Interstate 84.

From the big trail map, follow the pathway to the east and keep going. Ignore all dirt and gravel roads that branch off the paved pathway and it will be clear-cut the whole way.

As you parallel the freeway and round the base of Shellrock Mountain, look north to get great views of Wind Mountain and Dog Mountain just across the river. The forests here are a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, with many bigleaf maples that will turn yellow in the fall.

The viaduct offers the biggest incline on the trail, rising about 80 feet above the freeway. The trail dips and then climbs another 15 feet higher, maxing out at nearly 200 feet above sea level at the viewpoint just farther east.

It’s all downhill from there, as the pathway plunges to a crossing of Lindsey Creek where new construction meets old.

From here you can continue on another 1.2 miles past several waterfall viewpoints to Starvation Creek – a second trailhead from which you can anchor the journey. The trail keeps going for 1.3 miles to Viento State Park where, for now, it comes to an end.

SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The view from the new Wyeth Trailhead.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Cyclists ride along the new paved pathway from Wyeth State Park.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The hills of the gorge rise up on the western end of the trail.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A marker is embedded in the pavement of the new trail segment.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The trail runs parallel to Interstate 84, and at times is right beside traffic.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Dog Mountain, seen just across the river from the Summit Creek Viaduct.

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