Lower Rocky Point Fragments

A. F. Litt, March 24, 2020

Driving this section of the highway, I've always wondered about the grades on the west side of the road. Some are surely just for rockfall prevention, but I've wondered... Likewise, on the east side, I've wondered about the loop labeled NW Boat Basin Road on the map above. Before today, I've sort of cheated and looped the blue US 30 line over there, but I wasn't sure.

Since Taylor seems to confirm the east side fragment (more on that below), I was updating my map today and still noticed what looks a lot like old pavement on the west side of the highway!

More exploration is needed!

The map above is very much an approximation based on Google Earth imagery and some vague descriptions in Taylor's book. I need to really get out there and to check it out on the ground. I find it interesting, though, that the little, clear, loop here is called NW Boat Basin Road, like the following fragment. For clarity, though, I am calling this the Lower Rocky Point fragment, since that road will actually be signed and easier to spot when driving the highway.

Michael C. Taylor, Road of Difficulties: Building the Lower Columbia River Highway

Mile 14.3 [Westbound from St. Helens Road at NW Wardway and NW Nicolai Road]: Highway Fragment

This fragment parallels Highway 30 for .6 mile on it's north (right) side. Virtually indiscernible and below grade, it continues west beyond the exit for Lower Rocky Point Road, and then crosses Highway 30 where Rocky Point Road begins.

A. F. Litt, November 16, 2022

On our August field trip, Kirk and I stopped here briefly to examine the western grades, and there did not seem to be any highway remnants on that side of the road. Sadly, I forgot about Taylor's eastern fragment, which seems to be lateral to where I shot the photos below, which should eliminate the grade I was on from any further CRH speculation.

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the highway