October, 2018
In the last blog post, I reported that I spent most of the morning at the Cascade Locks (here, if you missed it). It was threatening rain the whole morning, that morning. After I had lunch back at my trailer, the rain finally arrived. But I wanted to be out and about even with the rain, so I opted for a driving tour in the afternoon with not very much exploration on foot.
I headed back to the town of Cascade Locks (but not to the locks themselves). Instead I headed across the bridge there, the bridge that spans the Columbia River in order to connect the State of Oregon (where I was camped) to the State of Washington … Oregon on the south side of the river, Washington on the north side of the river. That original huge landslide dam across the river back in the years 1100-1250 A.D. (described in the last blog post here) had been called “Bridge of the Gods” by the Native American people who lived there. Then in the 1690s, earthquakes destroyed the landslide dam and allowed the river to run through again. A man-made bridge that spanned the Columbia River was constructed at Cascade Locks in 1926. That bridge was rebuilt in 1940 to be higher above the water and longer since the river-water level had risen because of the Bonneville Dam a few miles down-river. This 1940 bridge is still here at Cascade Locks and is now called “Bridge of the Gods”.
It was not a sunny day! On the other hand, the clouds and the rain were pretty and added a soft touch to the day and probably kept a lot of people off the roads. The bridge seemed to suit the day with its simple elegance.
From inside the bridge, however, The “Bridge of the Gods” (above), was not a particularly pretty bridge. The speed limit was 25 mph since huge semi trucks do traverse it. A semi happened to come across in the opposite direction while I was on the bridge … oh my did that bridge rock and roll. One must believe that the bridge is built to rock and roll in order to relieve tension on the girders and joints.
There was a bridge-painting crew at the far end of the bridge … painting in the rain?
After crossing the bridge northbound, I was then in the State of Washington. I turned left and followed the road that ran west along the north side of the Columbia River, back towards Vancouver, WA. It was just a two-lane road and a very nice drive along the river, through forests, past many ponds and small tributaries.
I almost didn’t see the sign in the photo below … the Pacific Crest Trail. But I did catch just a quick glimpse of the sign, pulled over as quickly as I could, and then turned around and went back to the sign.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sign to this famous trail. How cool was this?!
I parked the truck and locked it. And then I walked about 30 feet up the trail, turned around, and came back to the truck. Hey, I have hiked part of the Pacific Crest Trail! 🙂
The sign above was on the trail. So, ok, let’s figure this out. The distance between this spot and the US-Canada border is 507.2 miles. Since 507.2 miles equals 2,678,016 feet, and since I hiked about 30 feet along the trail, that means that I hiked about .00112% of the distance between this spot and the US-Canada border on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Sigh … not very far, huh? But I had a good time doing it. And I got a photo of the sign. 🙂
The rest of the afternoon drive was relaxing and most enjoyable, though with very few stops along the way because of the rain. Eventually, I crossed the river again back south into Oregon and then headed east towards the campground. I got back to my trailer at Ainsworth State Park on the Oregon side of the Columbia River around 4 pm. With a lovely, soft rain tapping on my roof, I sat and read for a couple of hours before dinner.
Have any of you readers hiked any portion of the Pacific Crest Trail? Or do you know anyone who has? That sure would be an adventure, one that I will likely never do. Are there any good books written about it?
Seeing the one lane in each direction, on the bridge I was wondering what would happen if someone’s car broke down. No shoulder to pull over on. Can you tell I have anxiety with bridges? Lol.
Glad you hiked part of the trail!
I didn’t think of a break-down on the bridge. I guess people would just have to be nice and take turns in the one lane that was left. I think bridges are beautiful when I look at them from the ground, otherwise I’m with you Ginger!
I almost jumped back into the truck after taking photos of the trail signs, because it was raining. But I realized what an opportunity I had to brag a bit, if I actually walked on the trail for a little way. So I’m glad I did that too.
Remember the movie “Wild” starting Reese Witherspoon? It is the true story of Cheryl Strayed who journaled her Pacific Crest Trail “adventure”. Quite a story.
I just now found “Wild” on Amazon Prime, Kathie. Will be watching it this evening. Thank you!
All Bridges are meant to Rock & Roll but the age of that bridge should have a Weight Monitor on it so it doesn’t get Overloaded.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It’s about time.
A “weight monitor” … I’ve never heard that term but it sounds important to have on an old bridge (or even a new bridge?). More research for me coming up. Thanks Rick.
Congratulations on your mountain hiking experience — wow, 30 feet!
I myself have been over the Pac. Crest Trail many times – ok, ok , been in a Car, crossing all the mountain passes in WA OR and CA. ! I’m sure I must have stepped out of the car at some point right on the trail crossing the highways — so let’s say maybe I’ve gone
10 ‘feet.’
Oh hush, I know you are joking about the “wow, 30 feet!” part. 🙂 It wasn’t far but at least it was something.
Your talking about driving over the mountain passes in these western states makes me figure that I too must have driven right past many of those trail signs, but I sure never saw them before. And of course, I’m sure you have stepped onto the Pacific Crest Trail, maybe DOZENS of times! Maybe you have walked 40 or even 50 feet! Have you thought about writing a book? 🙂
I asked my nephew who hiked part of the Pacific Crest Trail a few years back. Says he met Ray Greenlaw who wrote The Pacific Crest Trail, Fastest Hike and says its about the best book he has ever read.
I have now ordered that book from my local library. It will be fun to read a book that’s written by someone your nephew knows. The book comes highly recommended by the way. Seems your nephew knows what he’s talking about.
Richard Bryson wrote a really funny book called “A Walk In The Woods” it’s about the Appalachian Trail but it’s definitely worth the read.
Thanks Adrienne. This book too is now on its way to me from my local library. I’d like to go see parts of the Appalachian Trail. Sounds like a great book and an easy read … my kind of book.
I learned more things! I always knew there was a trail from Mexico to Canada but I did not know the name of it. When I was searching online for information about the “Pacific Coast Trail”, I also found information about the “Continental Divide Trail”. I thought they were one and the same but no they are not. I’m glad you spotted that sign and took the time to take a brief hike too.
Even though I’ve lived here in the Pacific Northwest in Washington State most of my life, I didn’t realize those two trails were two different trails either … not until I started doing online research too. The Pacific Crest Trail follows the Cascade Mountain Range in California, Oregon, Washington. The Continental Divide Trail seems to follow the spine of the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Makes me wonder how many people have hiked both!