Next Steps Announced for Trail Linking Mosier to The Dalles
By Cole Goodwin
Hood River, Ore., January 31, 2024 — Friends of the Columbia Gorge in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service is moving forward on plans to build a new trail that would connect the communities of Mosier and The Dalles.
The trail project began in June 2023 and is a part of the “Gorge Towns to Trails” initiative that aims to create a 200-mile, world-class trekking network encircling both sides of the Columbia Gorge.
The initiative is outlined in the Management Plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Its goals are to strengthen the local economy, respect the environment, and connect communities with trail while balancing costs and achievability.
Collaborators’ current project focus includes public engagement* and community involvement and evaluating existing and potential trails, parking areas, land ownership, terrain, and environmental, historical, and cultural resources.
*A link to a public engagement survey can be found at the bottom of this article.
Where will it be?
Approximate location of the trail
The potential trail siting areas for the connecting trail include the area between Mosier and The Dalles south of the Historic Columbia River Highway and north of Seven Mile Hill Road.
Existing unapproved, unsanctioned user trails in the area have provided project collaborators with some understanding of where users want to go and where connections are possible. However current user trails are not legal or sanctioned and in some locations, they cross private property boundaries and/or may impact sensitive environmental and cultural resources.
For over 30 years, public agencies and private land trusts have worked to acquire lands in this area in recognition of its recreational potential.
The area has many hills, valleys, and plateaus which create interesting landscapes and scenic viewpoints. However, steep topography could require a lot of trail grading in some locations which could make construction more costly. Landslide hazards within the study area pose potential safety and construction concerns. To create a continuous trail from Mosier to The Dalles, some parts of the trail may need to cross private property that is not accessible to the public. Cooperation with landowners would be needed.
Existing infrastructure that could support the project.
The trail could connect the Riverside Trail in The Dalles and the Mosier Plateau Trail in Mosier as those existing trail connections lead into the main commercial areas of both towns.
Highway 30 Historic Route
The Highway 30 Historic Route provides a scenic drive or recreational cycling route between Mosier and The Dalles.
Visitor Centers
Connections to the Discovery Center in The Dalles would provide visitors with an interpretive educational experience, and provide access to parking, water, restrooms, and other amenities
Parking
Existing parking and trailheads in Mosier and The Dalles offer options for providing access to future trails.
There are two park and rides:
- one on US 30 and River Way Dr in Mosier
- one on 201 Federal St in The Dalles.
Transit
Columbia Area Transit (CAT), The LINK, Greyhound, and Flixbus operate bus lines through the study area along I-84, with varying services operating in Hood River, Mosier, and The Dalles.
Multi-Agency Connections
The Friends of the Gorge and USFS project team will also work with a coalition of local tribes, Wasco County, the cities of Mosier and The Dalles, community representatives, and other stakeholders throughout the project.
Make Your Voice Heard
Project leaders are currently hosting a virtual open house for the project on their website. The deadline to provide feedback based on the current information available is February 1, 2024. Another open house will be held in the Spring of 2024.
The public engagement phase of the project is expected to close in the fall of 2024.
Visit mosiertothedallestrail.org to learn more, then click the "Visit Open House #1" button on the webpage to take the public survey (encuesta de opinión disponible en español).
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