It was raining for a couple of weeks and our usual home routine has not been canceled, so we went back to the railroad only in the beginning of May. The previous work week was pretty sunny, so we were hoping that there is no wet mud in the forest anymore.
We went down by the endless serpentines of Beaver Slide Road. Near top of the hill we noticed a couple parked cars and then passed by the people coming down. There were a new machinery on the hill slope so soon road will be closed for trespassing while timber workers work here.
As usual, we arrived to the trail head around the lunchtime so we prepared our camp food to have calories for four-mile hike up to the 804 milepost. It was the place where we turned around last time.
We went uphill, so hike back will be easier. After the tunnel we started to explore the new location. There was a landslide a while ago so now the rails are hidden under several feet of dirt and clay. A lot of trunks lay here and there but our path goes by them. Finally, the landslide was over and we could see the rusty rails again. Soon we saw a small bridge over Salmonberry. Then another bridge, and one more. Then a small turn, and I noticed something dark in the distance. How interesting! We didn’t expect to find another tunnel here!
First small bridge over Salmonberry River
What is it? Does it look like a tunnel?
After a few steps I was forced to stop.
– Wow! – I said.
– What, what is there? – I heard from behind me, and at that moment kids came close and stopped too. – Wow!
– What happened? Why aren’t you walking? – said Dad and as soon as he saw THAT, he stopped and all that he was able to say was just “Wow”.
Bridge that does not exist anymore
The fact is, here is the confluence of the Kinney Creek and Salmonberry River. And the bridge that should lead to the tunnel simply did not exist. During the storm the fallen trees had slid into the the creek and floating logs knocked out one bridge support beam and damaged another, leaving rails hanging in the air. Well, let’s just follow the path and we’ll see where it will lead us? I have a feeling that it is not a big deal to cross the creek during the hot summer months – the stream is shallow… But today is only May and the water is still high. I wouldn’t want to get my feet wet. Meanwhile, the path ended at a steep hillside, and we discovered that someone had tied a rope with knots to the thick tree. That will make our climbing down easy.
This pile of logs moved the bridge support out, so walking on a bridge is dangerous now
Once we were near the creek, we started to look for a way that will help us cross the stream. Soon the solution was found and we climbed up on the other side of the creek. It wasn’t too hard – we were not the pioneers here.
After passing through the tunnel, we went further. Near the tunnel there was an old car hidden in the thick bushes.
Some time later we saw the milepost – that means we need to walk just another mile.
One mile left
The old telegraph pole
The road slowly climbed up, but it was barely noticeable so hiking wasn’t that hard. The bushes became thicker though – that means less traffic here.
Finally, the area around us had changed and we understood that we were hiking along the Wolf Creek already. The 804 milepost was hidden in the bushes and we almost missed it! Little bit farther we saw a slope with the landslide. Foliage has blossomed and the slope looked like it is wearing a green coat.
Short break
Woohoo! We did it!
Now it was time to go back.
I’m wondering, what is that?
View from the other slope
We are ready!
After the hike I looked to the document of the damages and found out that restoration of the Kinney Creek bridge will cost two million dollars. And that is the 806.34 mile mark that was once the base of another bridge, and building it will cost another two millions dollars…
806.34 mile mark near the car
Our route