The Columbia River Gorge is a terrific place to watch and chase trains.   Both sides of the river host major rail lines,  the former Spokane, Portland & Seattle, now BNSF on the Washington side,  and Uncle Pete, the Union Pacific across the pond in Oregon.

It’s also a haven for other outdoors persons, particularly bicyclists.   Oregon’s Interstate 84 frowns on bicyclists, so they flock to Washington’s two-lane State Highway 14.    SH 14 shares the narrow gorge with the railroad involving an array of tunnels as seen above.

The problem:  look as the guard rail at the tunnel entrance,  and you’ll see the roadway has no  room for bikers, or pedestrians.  They compete for space with cars, 18-wheelers in these tight tunnels,  six times in about 15 miles.  At least they are short, averaging 500′ in length, but some have a gradual curve adding to the rise in blood pressure…

To enhance safety, the state installed push-button flashing lights with a sign:  “Bikers Ahead.”  Having navigated this maze several times, I can tell you that nearly no one slows down, so you look back and wait for a pause in the traffic, then pedal like your life depends on it.   It does….!

 But, I’d do it again,  the trains,  river, steep cliffs,  eagles and ospreys,  Mount Hood in the distance, all make it worth it.  That’s the Portland-to-Spokane connection for Amtrak’s Empire Builder.   It left Portland about an hour earlier,  late afternoon.   Usually a whole fleet of freights is soon to follow.  – Gary Ostlund

Credits:  Pix by John Ryan, as seen in TRAINS Magazine,  September 2011