2013 Edition
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Julie and I did this hike in 2011. Pictures of that hike are
HERE.
Julie and I were out here earlier in 2013. That hike is documented
HERE.
More information about the entire Klickitat Rail Trail can be found
HERE.
This annual hike was scheduled for October 6, 2012 but was cancelled due to
fire danger.
GETTING THERE: Take SR 14 to Lyle, Washington. Turn North at the Lyle Cafe onto
Centerville Highway. Go 14.72 miles and turn left onto Harms road. The trailhead is
about a half mile down the road.
CAR SHUTTLE SERVICES: Note that we have not used thie service yet so we cannot
vouch for them in any way. If/when we do try them out, we will post an update
on future trip reports. The following was provided by Carl Coolidge, owner of the
Canyon Market, Klickitat, Washington. 509-369-4400:
The procedure: You would just call me the day before or the day of your hike. I would
need to know where you want to start, where you are going to end, approximate time it
will take you, we would figure out a place to leave a key on your vehicle, vehicle
information and what time you will start. You would leave payment above your visor.
I would fit your shuttle in with the others I have for the day and make sure your vehicle
is where you want it when you arrive. I take an extra person with me to pick up and move
your vehicle. This way you can start your hike when and where you want without having to
come by the store first and hope I can get away to do it. I have been doing fishing
shuttles for a number of years and have done a quite a few on the trail also and this
system has worked very well.
Since your web site is geared primarily for veterans I would be willing to give your
members a discount off my normal rate for a shuttle when they identify themselves as
veterans and learned about the shuttles from your website. I would charge $25.00 for
Harms Road ($35.00 normal rate) and $20.00 for any other parts of the trail. All of my
rates are per vehicle moved not per person.
ED NOTE: This procedure is actually less complicated than it seemed to me at first
blush. It might be wise to have a magnetic key holder that can be discretely afixed
to the bottom of your car so as to not just leave your key lying on a tire or something.
It was a gorgeous, dry, sunny day out here... but not so nice in Portland.
Got to ride in Jim Denton's VW van for the car shuttle which is always a treat.
Only ten people showed up for this hike and about half of them are affiliated with
The Klickitat Trail Conservatory. The smallish turnout is a disappointment because
this is a great hike with really nice people. That's our interpid leader, Jim Denton,
in the center. We started the hike with Jim providing a geological overview of the area.
The snow and ice is gone, of course. In fact, it got a little too hot out here
but after a long, hard Winter, no complaints here!
There was some pretty good color out here. I'm guessing the color is just about
at peak.
Saw a gazillion marmots out here. Also this snake and some cute little butterflies.
One of the group who was traveling mostly solo saw a rattler. No pictures though.
Lunch break at the half way point, 6 miles from Harms Road.
Most of the tressels on the Klickitat Rail Trail are in pretty decent shape.
This is mostly thanks to the KTC volunteers.
This one has seen better days though.
The group fragmented as the hike continued. Made it to the Horsebend
Trailhead in good shape. This is not a "difficult" hike although because of the
hard rock trailbed the 12 miles can get tiring. There's not much in the way of water
that you'd want to take a chance on so packing a few liters on a hot day is advised.
It's pretty much impossible to get lost out here. The trail is fairly level but is
definitely not ADA accessible.
Once again we owe Jim Denton and the whole KTC crew a huge THANK YOU for a great event!
Also a "get well quick" to Beverly, this hike's usual Trail Boss who is very much missed.
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