Salmon River Hike

Overview

The first two miles of this popular route is a trail for all seasons, and is usually open all year. This section of the trail rambles along the Salmon River through classic old growth rainforest - some of the most accessible in the Portland region. Beyond the riverside segment, the trail climbs to a sweeping viewpoint of the vast Salmon River Canyon, with unseen waterfalls roaring in the depths below. It’s hard to imagine that in the 1960s, the Forest Service planned a paved highway up this canyon, connecting to Highway 26 as an alternative route to the current highway. Thankfully the canyon was included in the 1984 legislation that created the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness and will forever be protected. From the trailhead, climb steeply at first, and then traverse above the river briefly before passing along a rocky ledge above a huge island. The island is a wide peninsula cut off from the shore by a small, meandering fork that splits from the main river. The massive trees on the island are a preview of the old growth ahead along the main trail. Soon you will reach the point where the fork splits from the main river. Notice how easily the river could rearrange a few logs and send the main branch of the river through the smaller fork! This is a fine example of how stream channels can abruptly change over time. The trail passes a deep eddy along a rock cliff, and then plunges into extremely lush old-growth forest, briefly pulling away from the river. Many unmarked side trails drop to the right, usually marking favorite fishing spots. In April, this first mile of trail is lined with white trillium and showy groups of fawn lily. At the 1.5 mile mark, begin to pass periodic campsites, including one that used to be formally known as Bighorn Campground. A footbridge once crossed the Salmon here, leading to the Hambone Trail on the opposite shore. After another half mile, reach the Rolling Riffle Campground, another longtime camp spot, where one site still retains a decaying picnic table. Signs mark this campg

Trail Stats

Photos

SalmonRiverTrailMap.jpg

SalmonRiverTrailMap.jpg

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250px-SalmonRiverTrailBluff

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250px-Ocean_spray_%28Holodiscus_discolor%29%2C_Salmon_River_Trail

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250px-SalmonRiverFootbridge

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250px-SalmonRiverPool

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400px-SalmonRiverGorge

TKO put tools to trail here.png

TKO put tools to trail here.png

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