There’s something magical about a trip to the Columbia Gorge. Beat the heat this weekend with a walk or ride along the relaxed, car-free Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Meander through the forest, traverse the 500-foot viaduct over Summit Creek, and catch views up and down the Gorge from an elevated section around Shellrock Mountain.
Walker Macy, worked on a long-term project to reconnect the historic highway in its entirety as a pedestrian and bicycle trail. Our team defined the trail alignment for six miles of new facilities between Wyeth and Starvation Creek. A significant challenge was to create a trail that connected abandoned segments and traversed steep terrain yet retained the iconic identity of the area. We developed and refined new trailheads, auxiliary trails and overlooks, and aesthetic treatments for bridges, viaducts, and walls. During design and construction, we helped to adjust alignments of the trail to protect key trees, sensitive areas, critical scenic views, and historic trail elements.
