Public invited to celebrate opening of two additional miles of HCRH State Trail
A ribbon cutting and family activities are planned for the Saturday Sept. 9 dedication
The new segment of the Historic Highway State Trail from Viento State Park looking east toward Mitchell Point.
Aug. 25, 2023
Contacts:
Don Hamilton, ODOT, 503-704-7452
Stefanie Knowlton, OPRD, 971-803-0154
HOOD RIVER – Dedication ceremonies with a public ribbon cutting and family activities are planned for Saturday, Sept. 9, at Viento State Park south marking the opening of two additional miles of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
Viento State Park south is now home to a new hiker/biker campground that includes an ADA-accessible campsite, three shelters for cooking, lockers with chargers, hot showers and an ADA-accessible restroom. The renovated loop also features five drive-in tent sites, including two ADA-accessible campsites.
“Each segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail that opens gets us one step closer to our vision of a fully reconnected Historic Highway,” said Rian Windsheimer, ODOT Region 1 manager. “The trail offers a wonderful opportunity for car-free recreation and safer bicycle trips to Gorge communities.”
This additional two-mile segment continues the trail east from Viento State Park toward Mitchell Point. With this segment open, people hiking, biking and rolling can now enjoy eight miles of car-free trail heading east from Wyeth Trailhead (Exit 51) accessible from Interstate 84. This segment of trail does not yet connect to the Mitchell Point Tunnel, scheduled to open in the spring of 2024. Construction on the last 0.7 miles connecting to Mitchell Point is anticipated as soon as 2026.
“Oregon State Parks is honored to be a part of connecting people with history and nature through recreation along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail," said Columbia District Manager Clay Courtright. “Everyone is welcome whether they are hiking, biking, picnicking, enjoying nature or camping at the new hiker biker campsites.”
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Viento State Park South Campground, Hood River County.
Join the celebration. The event will feature food by Empanadas Maria Elba, information booths, a campground open house, and a kid’s bike information and activity station.
Remarks, followed by the ribbon cutting, will be begin shortly after 10 a.m. After the ribbon cutting, the community will be able to use the two additional miles of trail and kids will be able to enjoy a scavenger hunt until 1 p.m. when the event closes. The trail will remain open for recreation after the event concludes.
Transportation to the event
Due to the limited amount of event parking at Viento State Park, please arrive car-free if possible.
By transit
Columbia Area Transit (CAT) will provide drop off and pick up service at Viento State Park in the morning and afternoon on the day of the event. To reach the event, hop on the CAT in Portland, Cascade Locks, Hood River, or any other stop they serve.
To arrive in time for the ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., take the 8:10 a.m. bus from Cascade Locks or the 8:30 a.m. bus from Hood River. The last pickup at Viento State Park will be 5:40 p.m. for westbound service and 7:30 p.m. for eastbound service.
By bike
A ride hosted by Portland Bicycle Club will depart from the Wyeth Trailhead at 9:30 a.m. The group will bike approximately 6 miles east on the Historic Highway State Trail from Wyeth to the ceremony at Viento State Park.
To reach the Wyeth Trailhead by car, take Interstate 84 Exit 51 to the Wyeth Trailhead parking lot located south of I-84 where the group will meet to start the trip. Please arrive 15 minutes early to ride with the group.
To aid your ride, there will be an assortment of electric-powered bikes from Gorge businesses available for rent. Reservations must be made in advance.
By personal vehicle
Limited event parking is available at the Viento State Park day-use lot on the north side of I-84. From I-84, take Exit 56 to Viento State Park where signs will direct visitors to the parking area. Once parking is full onsite, the next closest location is approximately 6 miles west on I-84 to Wyeth Trailhead at Exit 51 where additional parking may be available to access the event via bicycle or transit.
About the project and the Historic Highway State Trail
Since 1987, we have been working to preserve, enhance and reconnect the 73-mile Historic Columbia River Highway. With the newest segment from Viento State Park east toward Mitchell Point, nearly 70 miles will be open to travel either by motor vehicle or by foot and bicycle. The sections open for car-free recreation are the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
ODOT and OPRD extend thanks to our partners at the U.S. Forest Service, Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway, Travel Oregon, and to Western Federal Lands, and the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee.
|
