Sandy River Delta Loop Hike

Overview

The Forest Service acquired these 1,400 acres of cottonwoods and diked and drained meadows in 1991. Before that, it had been part of a cattle ranch owned by Reynolds Aluminum. The dike that blocked the main channel of the Sandy was constructed in 1931 to improve fish passage – it was considered that waters at the confluence with the Columbia were too shallow at critical times. Thus, the area, for 60 years anyway, ceased to be a delta, and the Sandy ran a straighter course to the Columbia via the west channel, previously known as the Little Sandy. For 20 years thereafter, hikers, bikers, dogs owners, horse riders, and hunters could visit Sundial Island north of the east channel and walk the beach at the mouth of the Little Sandy. After the USFS acquisition, the delta became the western portal to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and cattle grazing was halted. A rampant, uncontained invasion of blackberry and reed canarygrass resulted when the cows left, and efforts have been ongoing to restore a semblance of native habitat. In fact, for the most part, other than the native tree cover of cottonwood, ash, willow, and red osier dogwood, the ground forbs and shrubbery here are a dense display of exotic species. To commence the hike, take the Boundary Trail through the old cattle corral. The trail veers left and joins an old vehicle road. At a four-way junction, go right on a wide pea gravel path. Hike between large clumps of Armenian blackberry, and then reach a pole and rail fence that forms the boundary with the off-limits area, protected for wildlife habitat. Cross an open meadow using a wide dirt track, and reach a junction. Keep right here on what is now the Meadow Trail, and swing left under the powerlines. Undulate a little as you dip into former delta channels and sloughs. The trail bends right and then, at a sign, turns into an expanse of reed canarygrass. At a junction, the Meadow Trail continues to the left and meaders through copses of cottonwoods (you have to take the Meadow Trail if wat

Trail Stats

Photos

400px-SandyRiverDeltaMap

400px-SandyRiverDeltaMap

250px-SandyRiverDelta3

250px-SandyRiverDelta3

250px-SandyRiverDelta2

250px-SandyRiverDelta2

250px-SandyRiverDelta4

250px-SandyRiverDelta4

250px-SRD1

250px-SRD1

400px-SandyRiverDelta1

400px-SandyRiverDelta1

TKO put tools to trail here.png

TKO put tools to trail here.png

Tags