PORT OF CASCADE LOCKS
September 29, 2010
Project Synopsis
Destination Multi-Purpose Trail System
Port of Cascade Locks
Cascade Locks
The City of Cascade Locks, situated in the National Scenic Area of the Gorge, is a premiere location
for outdoor recreation because of its natural beauty within close proximity to the Portland/Vancouver
metropolitan area. The Port of Cascade Locks has been serving the community for over seventy years,
encouraging tourism, creating jobs and maintaining environment. The Port owns the Cascade Locks
Marine Park, the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge, an industrial park, a marina and the historic Bridge of
the Gods.
Background
Hundreds of hiking trails in the Columbia River Gorge area accommodate pedestrians and equestrians.
However, there is limited opportunity for mountain bicyclists to enjoy trails in the area. The Pacific
Crest Trail (PCT) passes through Cascade Locks to the Bridge of the Gods, which serves as the trail’s
link between Oregon and Washington. Bikes are not allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail because of the
conflict it causes with equestrians. Over the years there have been numerous documented instances in
which mountain bicyclists have illegally accessed the trail.
The City and Port of Cascade Locks along with Hood River County began working on this project as a
reaction to a need for more trails dedicated to mountain biking. The Port, City and County would like
to encourage a safe, legal, and fun, mountain bike riding experience. Due to the substantial demand for
trails closer to Portland, a new destination mountain bike trail system would be a great asset to the
community.
Project Overview
The City of Cascade Locks, Port of Cascade Locks, and Hood River County began to pursue a
mountain bike riding trail system near Cascade Locks in reaction to a need for more trails dedicated to
mountain biking. The International Biking Association (IMBA) was contracted to prepare a Mountain
Bike Feasibility Study and Conceptual Trail Plan in Cascade Locks.
The proposed trail system is approximately 26 miles long of mostly beginner to moderate cross-county
trails which are at low elevation in a spectacular late succession forest easily accessible from the
community of Cascade Locks. Almost 10 miles of the proposed trail involves using existing trails as
well as old Forest Service roads. Multiple trailheads easily can connect the trail system to the urban
area. The trail system will create a major recreational opportunity for residents of and visitors to the
Columbia River Gorge, and will also provide relief from overcrowded trails such as Post Canyon.
Following completion of the Feasibility Study, the Port contracted with IMBA to complete a Master
Plan consisting of color map graphics indicating trail corridors with GIS data, and met with
stakeholders and public involvement. New and existing trail corridors were flagged and trail
maintenance recommendations were drafted for all trail corridors.
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Activities
In the summer of 2007, representatives the Port of Cascade Locks, Hood River County and the
International Mountain Biking Association met with Dan Harkenrider and Stan Hinatsu of the USFS to
discuss the possibility of constructing a mountain bike trail on Forest Service land abutting against the
Cascade Locks Urban Growth Boundary. Dan and Stan expressed support for the project and stated
that staff resources to conduct the necessary environmental assessments would be difficult to obtain
and suggested that if the Port could demonstrate that maintenance of the new trail system wouldn’t
become a burden on their already taxed staff, then the Cascade Locks Trail system could receive a
higher priority on their task list. Dan also stated that the final location of the trail would be heavily
influenced by the results of the required environmental assessment.
In October 2007, Hood River County, the City of Cascade Locks Tourism Committee and the Port
jointly committed $25,000 to fund a “Mountain Bike Feasibility Study and Conceptual Trail Plan” for
Cascade Locks. The study and plan were performed by the International Mountain Biking Association
and Alta Planning + Design. The study determined that, in addition to enhancing regionally significant
tourism, substantial demand exists for trails close to Portland, Oregon and that a destination mountain
bike and mixed use trail system open to hikers and equestrians will contribute significantly to the
diversity of the tourism industry in Cascade Locks. The conceptual plan identified a potential trail of
existing United States Forest Service roads and trail corridors that could be linked together for a
complete 26 mile trail system.
In January 2008, the proposed trail corridor was flagged on the ground and GPS waypoints were
gathered. The proposed trail avoided the area where there is a heavy concentration of the streams and
springs.
In April 2009, IMBA sponsored a walking tour of the proposed trail system, which Dan Harkenrider
and Stan Hinatsu attended along with other stakeholders including the Friends of the Gorge, the Hood
River County Chamber of Commerce and the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce.
In May 2008, the Port followed up on the Feasibility Study and contracted with IMBA to prepare a
“Cascade Locks Multi-Purpose Trail System Master Plan” which was completed at a cost of $10,000
funded by the Port and the City Tourism Committee.
In January 2009, representatives of the Port and City met with Dan Harkenrider, Stan Hinatsu and
other USFS staff to discuss the plan. The USFS representatives reported that the project could be
scheduled for 2010 or 2011. Dan Harkenrider also stated that it would be important to secure
maintenance agreements from trails associations to maintain the trail.
In July 2009, it was determined that the Pacific Crest Trailhead located on Port property would need to
be relocated a few hundred feet to the south in order to avoid conflicts with the proposed multi-purpose
trail system.
In January 2010, Stan Hinatsu was able to secure to grant to acquire the services of Dan Miller,
Community Planner, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, National Park Service. Dan has been
working with the Port and the USFS concerning EIS scoping and public communications.
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In April 2010, Stan Hinatsu agreed to forward to Dan Miller the existing GIS environmental data so we
could overlay the data on the proposed trail and avoid environmental concerns. Anna Laxaque met
with Michael Lang and the Friends of the Gorge staff attorney and toured the proposed trail route.
Michael Lang stated that this is exactly the type of project that they can support.
In February 2010, a meeting was held in Cascade Locks with the Port, David Blair (Wyden’s office),
Anna Laxaque (IMBA), and Joe Barcott of NW Trails Association. Joe indicated that his group is
willing to sign a maintenance agreement with the USFS to maintain thirteen miles or so of the
proposed trail.
In July 2010, representatives of the Port met with Dan Harkenrider and Stan Hinatsu. The USFS
informed the Port that no funding had been provided for the Cascade Locks Mountain Bike NEPA in
FY 2010-2011 and that funding would not be available to 2013 or beyond. The USFS staff suggested
that an “Enterprise Team” of approved NEPA consultants and USFS staff could be assembled provided
that the Port could fund the cost. The USFS estimated that the cost would be between $50,000 and
$75,000. The Port agreed to pursue funding for the NEPA in our effort to keep this project moving
forward. In a subsequent phone call, Stan stated that the estimate for the NEPA was low and that the
cost would range between $100,000 to $200,000. The Port has determined that this level of cost
burden is not affordable by our small community and we are seeking ways to continue moving this
project towards construction.
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