Old Highway 30 Historic Columbia River State Trail.

night shot from the top of the stairs

    Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail in Oregon is broken into two distinct sections 5-7 miles each one way. They are separated by about 20 minutes of interstate driving. The more known section seems to be the Twin Tunnels section from Hood River to Mosier.  Cascade Locks, passing by Bonneville Dam, to Moffett Creek is the less known. Both sections are for non-motorized use only and offer a safe riding experience for families. The adventurous can add wonderful sections by continuing on Old Highway 30 with the rest of the world in their cars.

    This post is focused on the  Cascade Locks section that is the more westerly section. Cascade Locks to Moffett creek section one will find themselves in a lush wet environment.  Surrounded by fir trees, banana slugs, ferns, and if you stop too long moss will grow on you. You are never far away from the new I-84 interstate. I believe the frequent rain and the road noise may be the contributing factors that make the dry Mark O'Hatfield section to Mosier Twin Tunnels more popular. However if you have good weather this section offers some amazing biological diversity and modern engineering.
    You can access the trail at Moffett Creek (construction on this end may have improved access), Bonneville Dam (restrooms), Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery (restrooms), and Cascade Locks (ice cream at Big Winds). We started at Cascade Locks and went west to Bonneville Dam. At which point the kids stayed with mom and played while I rode back to retrieve the car.

    The climbs are moderate and the road crossings are clearly marked. Be warned the hardest part is just after Eagle Creek when you are about to go over the tunnel on I-84. I was surprised when confronted with 4-5 flights of stairs.

   Eagle Creek Fish Hatchery offers views of Fall Chinook returning to the hatchery. All you have to do is unclip and look over the bridge. If you missed the run head to the dam. Bonneville Dam is one of our favorite break the drive to Portland locations. Here at the dam you can tour the power plant, feed giant rainbow trout, get close to a 8-9 foot sturgeon, or even watch fish get stripped of roe and put on ice for the fish bank (food service). I would rather buy a fresh caught salmon from the Tribal vendors at the Cascade Locks parking area and possibly some huckle berries too.

  Time in the saddle 1-2 hours with kids exploring or 20-30 minutes if you are riding it to get the shuttle ASAP.