Friends of the Columbia Gorge

Work alongside Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Washington Trails Association for one day or the entire weekend, building a new trail at Friends’ Lyle Cherry Orchard land trust property. We’ll construct a new route to bypass a steep, treacherous section of the existing trail and create a new loop. Stay for the weekend which includes a Saturday campout and potluck or simply sign up for a single day.
 
This is one of four work parties scheduled this fall. Hiking to and from the project area will be at least 2 miles round trip and up to 1,000-ft. of elevation gain on some steep and rocky terrain. At most, part of the crew may hike three miles round-trip with 1,600-ft. of elevation gain. Be advised that this area of the Gorge is known for poison oak, rattlesnakes and ticks. This is the best time of year to be there given these environmental hazards, but they are still present.
   

---

Additional Information about this Trail Project

Gorge Towns to Trails: Going the Extra Mile in Lyle

The Lyle Cherry Orchard, our 550-acre land trust property above Lyle, Washington, will undergo a transformation this fall. More than three miles of trail will be re-routed and added to the existing five-mile trail system. Two new loops are planned – one to highlight the site of the long-abandoned namesake cherry orchard and another that wraps around the iconic “Lyle” sign. Our long-term goal is to connect the trail into Lyle as a key component of Gorge Towns to Trails, an effort to create a loop trail around the entire Gorge, connecting Gorge communities.

Our project partner Washington Trails Association (WTA) will hold weekend-long work parties this year where you can join for a weekend of camping and trail building, or for a single day. Consecutive work weekends are scheduled for:

• January 19-20
• March 16-17 (registration coming soon)

The history of the Lyle Cherry Orchard is rich. In the early 1900s, the visionary roadbuilder Sam Hill built a demonstration road on the property that was a precursor to the Historic Columbia River Highway. In the 1990s, Friends founder Nancy Russell began purchasing pieces of the property and gradually built the current trail. Nancy’s estate donated the land to our land trust in 2009, and last year, Friends purchased 25 acres adjacent to the Cherry Orchard in our Preserve the Wonder campaign.

The trail additions are the product of seven years of careful planning, public engagement and trail plotting. To bring this trail project to life, it’s been critical to work with businesses, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations. “This is a true collaborative effort,” said WTA Program Manager Ryan Ojerio. “Partnerships like this will drive sustainable recreation development for years to come.”

Learn more about Gorge Towns to Trails at gorgefriends.org/townstotrails.