ODOT PLANS
Viento to Perham Creek
HCRH State Trail
Segment 6
For more information on the Columbia River Highway features discussed in the State Trail Plans:
Jeanette B. Kloos, Historic Columbia River Highway Master Plan (2006)
i) Viento to Mitchell Point
Old mile post 58.2–61.1
Existing Condition – The Wygant Trail connects some portions of HCRH pavement. The 1987 Study recommended reopening the portion of the Wygant Trail along Perham Creek and extending the trail to Viento State Park.
Vision – Construct the HCRH State Trail between Viento and Mitchell Point. The September 2000 scoping team recommended a line south of Interstate 84, including several rockfall hazard areas that need additional analysis.
Kloos, Jeanette B. Historic Columbia River Highway Master Plan. Salem: Oregon Department of Transportation. 2006. 40.
In the first, top, section of the map above, this report overlooked the original pavement at the right end of the map, just before Matchline A. This is why I've called that fragment the Forgotten Loop [VIENTO "FORGOTTEN" LOOP (1A)] for all these years!
The Historic Columbia River Highway: Mile Post 2016 Reconnection Projects (March 2009)
Segment 6 - Viento State Park to Perham Creek
The Viento State Park to Perham Creek alignment begins east of the Starvation Creek Trailhead to the Viento State Park segment of the HCRH State Trail. It will meander through the forest just east of the OPRD maintenance shop at Viento State Park. Fill is required along some sections to maintain a 5 percent grade. The trail joins the old highway where It follows along the south edge of the freeway (Photo 6A). Then it ramps up to join the old highway again, where the trail will transition back down to freeway elevation. It then passes a very high rock cut and rockfall hazard area (Photo 6C). The current cost estimate reflects extensive rock excavation in this area to maintain the existing fall out area and provide adequate rockfall protection for both Interstate 84 and the trail. When performing this type of work it is also important to meet visual quality objectives of the National Scenic Area. From this point east, the trail diverts from the Highway along the old roadbed to the banks of Perham Creek in segment 7.
Trail Segment Highlights:
• Major rockfall excavation required west of Perham Creek.
• Links historic highway sections.
• Provides parking, staging and trailhead for east and west HCRH State Trail access.
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 6 - Viento State Park to Perham Creek:
"Photo 6A: Trail alignment follows old pavement east of Viento State Park."
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 6 - Viento State Park to Perham Creek:
"Photo 6B: Geography and geology forces trail to parallel I-84. In this case, rock fall protection is required to protect the trail from falling rocks."
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 6 - Viento State Park to Perham Creek:
"Photo 6C: This photo demonstrates some of the difficult challenges along the proposed trail alignment. A comprehensive rock fall system, which may include catchments and rock meshing is necessary here and along several other sections to protect trail users."
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 6 - Viento State Park to Perham Creek:
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010)
Viento Creek Trailhead Description:
• Existing 18 parking spaces
• Existing OPRD campground
• Existing restroom at campground
• Existing OPRD maintenance and office facility
• Viento Creek passes through site
Trailhead Amenities:
• Reconfigure parking area to provide for better traffic flow and turn around
• Reconfigure existing OPRD maintenance and office facility
• Improve trail access through the site
• Provide trail information and directional signage
Viento Trailhead:
Site Preparation $32,000.00
Grading and Drainage $8,000.00
Wall Construction $57,000.00
Paving $69,000.00
Misc. Improvements $21,000.00
Landscape Improvements $32,000.00
Subtotal $219,000.00
Engineering & Permits (20%) $44,000.00
Construction Engineering (15%) $33,000.00
Contingency $59.000.00
Project Costs (2010) $278,000.00
Project Costs (2014) $328,000.00
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010), 32-33
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010)
Phase One - Section E - Viento to Mitchell Creek
Mileposts 58-60
Trail Segment Highlights
LENGTH: 2.3 miles
2014 COST: $8.4 million
Level of difficulty:
Easy to Moderate
Slopes not exceeding 5%
Description:
A one mile restored section of Historic Highway State Trail connects from Starvation Creek to Viento.
• Station 300+45 – 310+33: The new Trail would continue at the end of the existing section of State Trail and run alongside an existing parking area of the Starvation Creek Trailhead. The parking area would be reconfigured for better vehicular, bike, and pedestrian circulation. The Trail then crosses Viento Creek over the existing culvert alongside the vehicular drive and then past the existing OPRD tent campground and the ORPD Maintenance Office and Shop Yard.
• Section 310+33 – 325+00: Leaving the OPRD Shop Yard, the Trail goes over an existing hill. The Trail will cut down through the hill to provide a 5% grade and connect to a level section of existing Historic Highway. The existing section of Historic Highway is also a shared access for the BPA. This existing section of Historic Highway ends at a rock cut and the Trail continues along the face of the cut alongside I-84.
• Section 325+00 – 367+00: This section of Trail has four existing sections of Historic Highway that form a series of “oxbows” where the construction of I-84 cut off the north section of the original curves. The new Trail section will run alongside I-84, connecting these existing oxbows of the Historic Highway together. The rock cuts along I-84 in this section present some significant rockfall challenges. The existing sections of Historic Highway are in good condition, and are all elevated above I-84, providing both visual and sound separation from I-84. The Trail aligns with I-84 and progresses along the base of an existing rock outcropping before rejoining the historic alignment with viewpoints to the Columbia River and surrounding scenery.
• Section 367+00 – 383+00: This is a long section of new Trail that runs along the edge of I-84 for 1600 feet. This section has the most significant rockfall and may require significant scaling and rockfall construction.
Trail Segment Highlights:
• Viento Trailhead
• Tent campground with potential for hiker biker sites
• Several sections of existing HCRH
• Spur trail to overlook at rock outcropping
Design/Permitting Issues:
• Recreation Intensity Class 4 at trailhead
• Site visible from several Key Viewing Areas:I-84, Columbia River, Highway 14
• Creek setbacks/salmon habitat
• Limited site area, constrained by existing topography, creek, and roads
• Privacy and safety for campground and OPRD facility
Issues for Further Study:
• Potential for second Trail Host Site located at Viento Trailhead
• Rockfall mitigation strategies
• Conflicts with BPA Access Road(s)
• Historic resources at Perham Creek, including historic alignment of the Historic Highway and evidence of past park facilities
• Determine the extent of wetland/riparian areas at Perham Creek
• Opportunities for side trails to explore unique geologic features located along the Trail
Segment E Costs:
Site Preparation $47,000.00
Grading and Drainage $168,000.00
Wall Construction $801,000.00
Bridge at Perham Creek $200,000.00
Bridge at Mitchell Creek $180,000.00
Rock Fall Protection $1,205,000.00
Trail Construction $549,000.00
Misc. Trail Improvements $185,000.00
Landscape Improvements $348,000.00
Subtotal $3,683,000.00
Engineering & Permits (20%) $737,000.00
Construction Engineering (15%) $552,000.00
Contingency $994,000.00
Project Costs (2010) $5,964,000.00
Project Costs (2014) $7,038,000.00
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010)
Funding - Section E: Viento to Mitchell Creek (As of May 2013)
Environmental: Complete
Engineering: Complete
Construction: $9.5 Million Needed
Total Funds Needed: $9.5 Million
Source: ODOT