2011 Edition
You must have javascript enabled to see the above contact information
All rights reserved - may not be copied without permission
The Klickitat Rail Trail begins at the
Lyle trailhead.
This segment begins where we left off last time, at the Pitt trailhead. The Pitt
trailhead (which isn't much of a trailhead) is located ten miles East of the Lyle
trailhead, on SR 142 at Fish On Road. There is parking space available there but
I don't know how well advised leaving your vehicle there would be. For this segment
I rode to Klickitat and used Depot Park as the trailhead.
This segment is the least popular and the least desireable trail of the three sections
I've documented in this trail guide. But, if you're like me and like to do the "full
meal deal" on each adventure, the next few miles is certainly worth doing.
Click here for details on the
Swale Canyon
hike, the final segment of this trail.
Looking back at Fish On Road as we head out towards Klickitat.
Looking forward, it's obvious we are still on the trail. The Klickitat Rail Trail
guys have done a good job so far making this a well marked hike.
Some nice people along the trail put out these chairs in the shade with a
handwritten sign inviting passers-by to stop and take a rest here. Yet one more
reason why respecting neighboring property rights and folk's privacy is good PR.
Trails like this could not exist without the good will and generosity of the property
owners nearby! Much appreciated.
For the next three miles, the Klickitat Rail Trail meanders along the Klickitat
River. You're never far from SR 142 but there isn't a lot of traffic out here so
there is a feeling of solitude as you travel this path.
There are a few more interesting structures along this segment too...
Refreshing.....
Three miles later you'll end up at Depot Park in "downtown" Klickitat. This is
not a difficult location to find and is probably a better trailhead/starting point
compared to Fish On Road.
However..... the trail East from here is mostly non-existent and ends abruptly a
mile later at the washed out train trestle. Since there is no way to get across the
Klickitat River without a watercraft, you'll need to head 3 or so miles East on
SR 142 and go to the next trailhead. I did that, and details on how to get there
follow. However, for the sake of continuity, I will continue this trail guide as
though you are magically able to get across the river. The Klikcitat Rail Trail
guys don't anticipate this trestle being repaired any time soon, so be advised..
Klickitat is a nice little town. Not even a blinking yellow light.... nice,
friendly people. It's a different way of life out here compared to the big city.
Then there's John Doughs... a pastry place across the street that advertises, "Have
desert first!"... since pretty much everything they sell is not on my healthy lifestyle
menu, I resisted all urges to go inside. I'm guessing their donuts are decadent..
Downtown Klickitat.
BELOW: The local hangout.
The Klickitat Volunteer Fire Department tanker truck. Looks like it's retired.
Not much of a trail East of Klickitat. Even the Klickitat Rail Trail sign is in
disrepair...
As well as this hazardous material, toxic site that's fenced in and has been
condemned by the State Board of Health.
And finally, there is the now missing "Suburbia Bridge", the train trestle that
used to be part of the Klickitat Rail Trail. The Klickitat Rail Trail guy I talked with
said there are no plans to "fix" this bridge... looks to me like it needs a lot more
than fixing. If you do this hike and like what the people here have done so far,
please consider becoming a member of the Klickitat Rail Trail organization, helping
them out in any way you can. These guys have done some amazing work so far, with
scant funding and not nearly enough volunteers. I'm sure your help and support
will be most appreciated!
Remember I said that for continuity sake, we would magically be able to cross
over the Klickitat River on this trestle? Well.... here's the view of the now
non-existent Suburbia Bridge from the opposite shore.
Continuing along the Klickitat River towards the Horseshoe Bend Road trailhead...
I believe this is the old Klickitat Mineral Spring Water building.
That's the bridge to the trailhead just ahead.
Click here for details on getting to the
Horseshoe Bend Road trailhead and the
Swale Canyon hike.
Also, for information about the
Harms Road trailhead.
The Original Easyrider®
Motorcycle Touring Forum
HOME
These pages were designed for high resolution, wide screen monitors
on computers with a high speed Internet connection
Copyright 1990-2011 Easyrider LAN Pro
All rights reserved - may not be copied without permission