Nat'l Trails Day! Beacon Rock - Hardy Ridge WTA Work Party

National Trails Day! Southwest Washington. In 2006 WTA crews began construction of a connector trail linking existing trails via a traverse across Hardy Ridge. A second additional new trail segment will tie this new Hardy Ridge Loop to the Hardy Creek Trail creating two new loop hikes in Beacon Rock's backcountry trail system. This weekend, in celebration of National Trails Day, volunteers will officially open these routes for hiking and honor the contributions of hundreds of volunteers who have contributed to this project over nearly four years!

"Beacon Rock" was originally named by Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean on October 31, 1805. It was near Beacon Rock that they first measured tidal influences from the ocean on the Columbia River. In 1811, Alexander Ross of the John Jacob Astor expedition called the rock "Inoshoack Castle." The rock was known as "Castle Rock" until, in 1916, the United States Board of Geographic Names restored the name "Beacon Rock." Henry J. Biddle purchased the rock in order to build a trail to the top. The trail was built, and in 1935 his heirs turned the rock over to the state for use as a park. Additional development was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park is situated alongside the Columbia River, within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. In addition to the picnic and camping facilities there are several miles of pedestrian and equestrian trails that lead away from the river and into the foothills.

Potluck & BBQ: In Celebration of National Trails Day we are partnering with the Chinook Trail Association to host a potluck/BBQ. We will provide hamburgers, veggie burgers, condiments and soda pop. Please bring along a side dish to share. If you are staying for the night, you will need to bring a tent, sleeping bag and your personal gear. Don't forget to bring your own breakfast for Sunday morning.

Campsite:Camping will be provided in the Equestrian Camp (see below for location), courtesy of the park. Please bring your own camping equipment. If you would like to spend the night at the campsite on Friday, please contact Ryan by email to make arrangements: ryan at wta.org.

Driving directions:
Coming from the north into Vancouver on I-205, take Exit 27 onto State Hwy 14, heading East (toward Camas). Continue east on SH 14 for about 30 miles and you will reach the Beacon Rock Park, turn left (head North, away from the river) onto Kueffler Road (just before, or West of, the Beacon Rock Ranger Station). Continue on Kueffler Road until ~200ft past the 1-mile marker, turn right onto the gravel road that will end at the equestrian parking lot, where we will meet for the trail work. Camping location will be at the Equestrian Area next to the equestrian parking lot. (Driving time from Vancouver: approximately 1 hours.)