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Mission Statement: To preserve and promote the public use of the 31 mile Klickitat Trail as a Recreational, Cultural, Natural, Educational, and Economic Asset of Klickitat County. |
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Along the Wild & Scenic Klickitat River in the Summer.
Photo courtesy of Darryl Lloyd. |
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| 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 Trail, a public right of way, is now managed cooperatively by Washington State, the U.S. Forest Service, and the KTC. |
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KTC Board of Directors |
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Officers |
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President: Cheryl Steindorf
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Klickitat, Washington |
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Vice President: Barbara Robinson
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Rowena, Oregon |
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Secretary: Laura Bales |
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Klickitat, Washington |
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Treasurer: Dave Berger |
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Lyle, Washington |
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Non-Officers |
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Jim Minick |
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Lyle, Washington |
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Jim Denton |
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Hood River, Oregon |
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Bev Linde |
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Goldendale, Washington |
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Laurie Wilhite |
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Goldendale, Washington |
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Pam Essley |
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Lyle, Washington |
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Donna Enz |
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Lyle, Washington |
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| KTC Background |
We began organizing our first Saturday hikes in August 2002, which planted the seeds for an organization that was to become the Klickitat Trail Conservancy. Since then, our group of supporters and trail users has taken root, committed to making the dream of an improved Klickitat Trail become a reality. The first few years of organization were action packed and much has been accomplished through the efforts of many individuals.
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 Formation of the Klickitat Trail Conservancy, a non-profit organization with IRS-designated 501(c) (3) status.
Formation of a board of directors to help the organization prosper and ensure progress in trail projects and improvement, as well as to communicate with Washington State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service.
Countless hours of volunteer efforts conducting regular trail maintenance activities.
Organized bi-monthly trail hikes and mountain bike rides on various sections of the trail.
Placement of toilets at trailheads.
Interpretive kids’ hikes in Klickitat and Lyle.
Ongoing communication with the staff of the Yakama Nation to learn how we can help restore salmon runs in Swale Canyon.
A website: www.klickitat-trail.org
Improved relations with adjacent landowners and those originally opposed to the trail.
Presentation of $5,000 to Washington State Parks Commission, meeting the financial commitment we made to offset costs incurred by their lifting of the trail closure in February 2003.
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| A Scenic Adventure |
The first 17 miles of the Trail follow the Klickitat River, a nationally designated Wild & Scenic river. The Trail then heads east, through Swale Creek Canyon, a pristine area that is extraordinarily scenic, ecologically significant, and largely isolated from human activity. The rugged, remoteness of Swale Canyon draws mountain bikers and adventurers. Beautiful carved n arrow gorges of the Klickitat and Swale Canyons, with their rolling oak and pine forested hillsides, host spectacular wildflower displays and provide topnotch birding opportunities. The Klickitat Trail is truly a gem of the Columbia River Gorge and the pacific Northwest.
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View of Pitt from Lyle-Appleton Road.
The Klickitat Trail is visible on the right side of the river.
Photo courtesy of Donna Enz. |
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| Trail of Many Uses |
This multi-use trail is ideal for a variety of recreational uses throughout the seasons. The trail in winter brings a landscape of quiet solitude and offers the chance to cross-country ski or enjoy unique ice formations along the cliffs. Spring delivers green-draped hills with a profusion of wildflowers. The landscape turns to shades of beige and brown by early summer. Birding opportunities await year 'round. Fishing is popular -- the Klickitat River is home to Coho and Chinook salmon as well as steelhead trout. By fall the oaks and maples are putting on a last burst of color in the cool crisp air.
Ancient traditions continue near the trail. The Klickitat River is one of only two Native American dip-net fisheries in the Columbia River Basin. Dramatic and unique geologic landscapes can also be seen. Steep columnar basalt cliffs are visible from the trail near Wahkiacus. And about a mile from the Lyle Trailhead is an area known as the "Narrows" where the river squeezes through the basalt flows.
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