Historic Columbia River Highway

Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail preserves and interprets portions of America's first scenic highway, constructed between 1913 and 1922 to showcase the spectacular Columbia River Gorge. The trail utilizes sections of the historic highway converted to non-motorized use, allowing cyclists and pedestrians to experience the original route and its engineering marvels. Designed by Samuel Lancaster to complement the landscape through every curve and feature, the highway was designated a National Historic Landmark and All-American Road. The state trail provides access to waterfalls, viewpoints, and historic structures while interpreting the vision and craftsmanship that created this pioneering scenic roadway.

The Columbia River Gorge corridor supports diverse wildlife benefiting from varied habitats ranging from river environments to forested slopes and rocky cliffs. Black-tailed deer, coyotes, and black bears inhabit the forests, while bald eagles and ospreys fish the Columbia River. The gorge serves as an important migration corridor for birds, with numerous species utilizing the river pathway during seasonal movements. Peregrine falcons nest on cliff faces, while various waterfowl species utilize the river and wetland habitats. Small mammals, amphibians, and diverse invertebrate communities occupy the varied microhabitats created by the gorge's environmental gradients.

Vegetation reflects the dramatic climatic transition from wet coastal conditions on the western gorge to dry interior conditions eastward, creating exceptional plant diversity within a relatively small area. Western sections feature lush forests of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, bigleaf maple, and diverse understory plants including ferns and mosses. Waterfalls support unique spray zone communities with specialized plants adapted to constant moisture. Moving eastward, forests transition to Oregon white oak woodlands and eventually ponderosa pine and grasslands in drier conditions. This gradient supports over 800 plant species, including rare endemics found only in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

The Columbia River Gorge was carved as the Columbia River maintained its course while the Cascade Range was uplifted, creating a dramatic water gap through the mountains. The gorge exposes spectacular cliff faces of Columbia River Basalt, layers of ancient lava flows erupted 15-17 million years ago that covered vast areas of the Pacific Northwest. Ice age floods from glacial Lake Missoula repeatedly scoured the gorge, enlarging it and creating current landforms including waterfalls where tributary streams were left hanging above the deepened main channel. Landslides are common in the steep, wet environment, with historic slides creating landmarks like Cascade Locks and contemporary slides occasionally closing portions of the highway.

The gorge experiences dramatic climatic gradients, with western sections receiving over 75 inches of annual precipitation while eastern portions receive less than 15 inches, demonstrating the rain shadow effect of the Cascade Range. Temperatures are moderated by the Columbia River, though significant variations occur with elevation and exposure. The gorge funnels winds, creating strong persistent air currents particularly during summer and winter, making it one of the world's premier windsurfing destinations. Fog is common in western sections, while eastern areas enjoy more sunshine. The microclimates created by aspect, elevation, and exposure create diverse environmental conditions within short distances.

The Columbia River Gorge has been a major travel and trade corridor for over 10,000 years, with numerous indigenous groups utilizing the river's abundant salmon runs and establishing villages and fishing sites. The area was central to indigenous trade networks extending across the continent. Lewis and Clark traversed the gorge in 1805-1806, documenting the landscape and peoples. The Historic Columbia River Highway, completed in 1922, represented a revolutionary approach to road building, designed to showcase scenery rather than simply providing efficient transportation. The highway stimulated tourism and regional development while demonstrating that roads could be both functional and beautiful works of art.

The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail represents an innovative road-to-trail conversion, repurposing portions of the historic highway made obsolete by Interstate 84. The trail is considered to extend from milepost 14.22 near Troutdale to milepost 88 near The Dalles, with multiple disconnected segments currently open. Major sections include the Bonneville Segment (6.5 miles) and Twin Tunnels section (4.5 miles), with additional segments under development. The trail opened incrementally, with the Mitchell Point Tunnel segment (1.5 miles including a 655-foot tunnel) opening in March 2025. Oregon Department of Transportation owns the Historic Highway while Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages the trail portions in partnership with ODOT.

The trail segments offer opportunities for hiking and cycling through spectacular gorge scenery, passing waterfalls including Mettlako Falls, Elowah Falls, and views of numerous others. Historic tunnels carved through rock cliffs provide dramatic perspectives on the original highway engineering. Viewpoints overlook the Columbia River, Bonneville Dam, and various creeks cascading through the forested gorge. The trail provides access to natural and cultural features difficult to appreciate from modern highways, allowing users to experience the gorge at a slower pace. The paved, universally accessible sections make the scenery available to various users including those with mobility limitations.

Trail segments feature paved surfaces, parking at trailheads, and interpretive signage explaining the highway's history and the surrounding natural environment. Restrooms are available at major trailheads. The trail is accessible from Interstate 84 and Historic Highway sections that remain open to vehicles, with trailhead locations clearly marked. Dogs are allowed on leash, and e-bikes are permitted while other motorized devices are prohibited. The trail operates year-round, though winter weather can affect conditions. The western gorge receives heavy use, particularly on weekends and during waterfall season, requiring users to arrive early or visit during off-peak times.

Preservation of the historic highway features including stonework, tunnels, and bridges guides management, with ongoing maintenance addressing deterioration from weather and use. Protection of gorge ecosystems balances recreation access with sensitive habitat and rare plant conservation. The trail demonstrates sustainable transportation by providing non-motorized alternatives reducing vehicle congestion and emissions. Interpretation educates users about the highway's history, gorge ecology, and responsible recreation practices. Climate change impacts including increased wildfire risk, landslides, and extreme weather events pose challenges for both historic preservation and trail maintenance, requiring adaptive management strategies to protect this nationally significant scenic and historic resource.