The Enterprise - White Salmon, Washington

Klickitat rail-trail set for bridge decking, trailhead

Key permits issued

Jesse Burkhardt

December 15, 2009

There appears to be new momentum in efforts to complete a hiking, biking, and horseback riding trail along the old railroad grade between Lyle and Klickitat.

According to Klickitat Trail Conservancy representatives, Klickitat County officials have given the final approval for the construction of the Lyle Trailhead, a project the U.S. Forest Service has already budgeted to pay for.

"Right now, the Forest Service is evaluating bids for the project, and we should know something about the construction schedule within a few weeks," explained Klickitat Trail Conservancy (KTC) Vice President Barbara Robinson.

Klickitat County also has recommended approval of shoreline permits for decking the Fisher Hill Trestle, the longest on the entire trail, and for two boardwalks over swampy sections of the trail.

The permit applications have been sent on to the Washington Department of Ecology for final evaluation.

"We are hoping these projects will be completed this coming spring or summer," Robinson said.

Edan Lira, recreation and trails coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service in Hood River, said there will be major progress on the trail between Lyle and Klickitat in 2010.

"You will see ground being broken for the Lyle Trailhead in the spring," he said.

The trailhead, at the corner of State Route 14 and State Route 142 in Lyle, will provide room for about 14 vehicles and five or six horse trailers. Rest rooms will be built, as well as a viewpoint over the Klickitat River.

Lira conceded that progress on the trail has been slow.

"Everything has been hurry up and wait," he said. "But it's looking like we'll be doing work this spring."

Lira pointed out that the plans for the Fisher Hill Trestle were "done a long time ago," but the work has been on hold pending resolution of funding and permitting issues.

Plans for decking the trestle call for a minimum height of 54 inches for the railings, making them high enough -- and also strong enough -- to ensure a horse does not break through the barriers.

The cost for the trestle project is expected to be about $300,000.

Lira explained that, in addition to the work on the Lyle Trailhead, decking of the Fisher Hill Trestle will start in the spring or summer of 2010.

"And we're going to be more serious about getting equipment out on the trail to remove slides here and there," he added.

While waiting for the Forest Service to tackle the biggest projects, trail supporters have remained busy, volunteering time and materials to help build the trail.

KTC member Jim Denton organized several volunteer work parties during 2009 that decked three of the former railroad trestles in Swale Canyon. The work started with the Harms Road trestle.

"This is a major achievement for the trail," said Robinson. "Probably half of the trestle work has now been completed, but more trestles in Swale Canyon will need to be decked this spring, as well as our usual pruning, weeding, and rockfall clearing."

Once the trail is completed and "officially" opened, Washington State Parks would be the primary agency that oversees management of the trail.

According to Lira, the entire 31-mile trail is owned by Washington State Parks, but the Forest Service administers the Lyle to Klickitat section -- about 13 miles.

The Klickitat Trail, which has been supported by the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, is being created out of the former Burlington Northern branchline that went from Lyle to Goldendale. Rail service on the line ended after the former Champion lumber mill in Klickitat closed.

The rails and ties were removed from the roadbed in 1993.