ODOT Plans

Jeanette B. Kloos, Historic Columbia River Highway Master Plan (2006)

g) Wyeth to Starvation Creek

Old mile post 52.8–57

Existing Condition – This section includes Shellrock Mountain. The option to provide a hiking or biking trail behind the binwall (in the rockfall catch area) was a low priority in the 1987 Study. There is a segment of pavement north of the Union Pacific Railroad that would be desirable to connect to other segments.

Vision – Construct HCRH State Trail between Wyeth and Starvation Creek. An option that is north of the Union Pacific Railroad from Wyeth to east of Shellrock Mountain, crossing over Interstate 84 to the Lindsey Creek State Park segment is proposed. This proposal includes a mile-long floating path in the Columbia River, similar to the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade in Portland.

The Historic Columbia River Highway: Mile Post 2016 Reconnection Projects (March 2009)

Segment 2

Segment 2 starts at the end of Herman Creek Road/Wyeth Bench Road on the south side of the Wyeth Interchange. It includes a small section of original historic highway pavement and an original bridge over Gorton Creek. Here Herman Creek Road terminates at the existing, undeveloped Lang State Park property (Photo 2A).

This open, grassy field provides an excellent trailhead and staging area. For about 800 feet the trail proceeds east along the wide shoulder adjacent to Interstate 84, then shifts to an old roadbed with trees buffering the trail from the Interstate for approximately another 700 feet (Photo 2B).

Because of steep slopes, the trail alignment returns to the Interstate 84 shoulder for approximately 900 feet prior to heading south away from Interstate 84 generally following an existing regional utility (BPA) access road and passing several interesting building foundations. The trail follows along the top of a bank created during Interstate 84 construction then descends the slope to meet up with Interstate 84 at the base of Shellrock Mountain.

Trail Segment Highlights:

• Provides a great opportunity for trail head/staging area using existing undeveloped Lang State Park.

• Cost effective deviation from the 2000 scoping report. This alignment stays on the south side of Interstate 84, eliminating the need for costly railroad and Interstate crossings as well as a floating walkway along the Columbia River.

• Interesting interpretive potential with story of the Wyeth settlement and 1876 wagon trail.

The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010)

Trailhead Description:

• Existing site is undeveloped

• Existing site is highly disturbed with old foundations and remnants of past development

• Existing USFS well located on site (not potable water). USFS to install new potable water well

• Invasive species

• Existing USFS campground located west of site

Trailhead Amenities:

• Maximum 25 parking spaces

• Bus/trailer turnaround

• Bike Parking

• Bike and hiking staging area

• Restroom

• Kiosk for trail information, map, notices

• This developed State Park will provide access to the Historic Highway State Trail and potential trail connections to additional recreation resources in the vicinity

December 12, 2014

Current plans are to move the trailhead and parking area west from the OPRD land at the end of the road to USFS land just west of the Gorton Creek Bridge. Plans include building a new pedestrian / bicycle bridge parallel to the old CRH bridge.

The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010)

A - Wyeth to Shellrock Mountain Trail Segment

LENGTH: 1.2 miles

2014 COST: $3.6 million

• New Trailhead at Wyeth, parking for 25 vehicles, restroom, bike parking, and picnic areas

• Views of Shellrock Mountain

• Connections to USFS Wyeth Campground, and future mountain bike area on the Wyeth Bench

• Connections to Columbia River via the Wyeth Day Use Area

Length of Trail Section: 1.2 miles

Level of difficulty: Easy to Moderate slopes not exceeding 6%

Trail Description:

• Station 0+00 - 9+50:

The proposed Trail starts at Exit 51 from I-84, where a short section of drivable road connects the exit area to the new trailhead.

• Station 9+50 -17+00:

As the bicycle/pedestrian trail continues east from the trailhead, it would utilize an existing embankment fill. The history of the embankment is not known at this time.

• Section 17+00 - 37+00:

Moving past this location, the Trail heads north and follows I-84 for a short section. The Trail then curves south, away from the highway, while beginning to climb at a 5% grade to access an existing 700 foot long bench cut into the slope parallel to I-84. The Trail would then head downhill and run along the edge of I-84.

• Section 37+00 – 64+00:

The Trail would leave I-84 at an existing access road and head up the existing cut slope at a 5% grade to a high point, and then head back downhill behind the bin wall at a 5% grade. This alignment benefits from distance between the proposed Trail and I-84, but would not have views of the Columbia River or Shellrock Mountain.

The Trail traverses a 2:1 cut slope and will require retaining walls on both the up and downhill sides of the Trail. A secondary hiking trail could be developed in this area that would utilize the existing access roads and the probable alignment of the historic wagon road. This path could loop back to the main trail along the western edge of Shellrock Mountain, allowing for dramatic cross slope views of the talus slope. There are several building foundations that would also be visible from this side trail.

This section of Trail would end behind the existing metal bin wall at Shellrock Mountain. A new wall would need to be extended from the existing bin wall and west, to support the new Trail as it meets up behind the bin wall.

Trail Segment Highlights:

• New Trailhead at Wyeth, parking for 25 vehicles, restroom, bike parking, picnic areas and trip staging area

• Historic building foundations

• Views of Shellrock Mountain

• Connections to USFS Campground

• Connections to Columbia River

• Potential for side trail to explore the cultural and natural features of the area

Design/Permitting Issues:

• Recreation Intensity Class 2 at trailhead

• Site visible from several Key Viewing Areas: I-84, Columbia River, Highway 14

• Potential wetlands, determination/delineation needed

• Ownership issues, USFS property with existing well

Issues for Further Study:

• Potential wetland area near embankment fill

• Trail alignment at approach to Shellrock Mountain

• Possibility of a Trail Host Site located at the Wyeth Trailhead

• Impacts on views from adjacent Key Viewing Areas

• Geotechnical investigation of slopes to determine retaining wall design options

Segment A Costs:

Entry Road Rehab. $33,000.00

Site Preparation $26,000.00

Grading and Drainage $379,000.00

Wall Construction $286,000.00

Trail Construction $327,000.00

Misc. Trail Improvements $111,000.00

Landscape Improvements $174,000.00

Subtotal $1,336,000.00

Engineering & Permits (20%) $267,000.00

Construction Engineering (15%) $200,000.00

Contingency $360,000.00

Project Costs (2010) $2,163,000.00

Project Costs (2014) $2,553,000.00

Wyeth Trailhead:

Grading and Drainage $42,000.00

Paving $94,000.00

Trail Construction $20,000.00

Misc. Site Improvements $153,000.00

Restroom $80,000.00

Landscape Improvements $135,000.00

Subtotal $524,000.00

Engineering & Permits (20%) $105,000.00

Construction Engineering (15%) $79,000.00

Contingency $142,000.00

Project Costs (2010) $850,000.00

Project Costs (2014) $1,000,000.00

ODOT, May 2013

Funding (As of May 2013):

Environmental: Complete

Engineering: Complete

Construction: $2.1 Million Needed

Total Funds Needed: $2.1 Million

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