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  • Rimrock Trail (704) questions

    I hiked most of the Rimrock trail today, however I had a tough time finding the trailhead.....On the current district map, it shows the trail taking off from the end of the 4635-140 spur road.  The USFS sheet here shows it taking off of the 4635-146 spur road.  I had a hard time finding the 140 spur, and never did find a 146 spur.  I parked at the end of the 140 spur and hiked up the decommissioned road to the end, but didn't see a trail marker.  I almost gave up, but saw what sort of resembled an old trail blaze and did a short cross country and found what appeared to be a trail (no markers, though).  I was pretty sure I had found it, and finally got to the junction that goes up to Mt Mitchell (trail marker showed it as trail 705), and finally saw a marker saying trail 704.  We hiked all the way down the trail to the point where it dropped down to 5830, but since were just going to turn around, we turned around and came back.

    A couple of questions:

    • I saw the "phone line" on the trail in many places.  Is the small box at the top of Ruddy hill where a phone that used this line used to be?  Interesting bit of history
    • Where is the "real" west trailhead?  Is it on spur 4635-146?  or is it at the end of 4635-140 like the current maps show?  If it is spur 146, I'd love to know where that is...I saw one unmarked spur road that was next to an old clearcut, but didn't go down it too far.  Maybe I just didn't go far enough.
    All in all, a nice day, but unfortunately, we couldn't see much since it was pretty foggy up on top.  I think it would be an awesome view on a clear day!
    Rimrock Trail (704) questions
  • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
  • 9/23/07; 8:12:23 PM ¦ by Donovan
  • Trailhead is on the 146 spur, in about a quarter mile on the left. This info is on the USFS Info sheet for this trail. The link on the trail page on this site.
    The District map has many of our trails missing or incorrectly mapped. I will approach the FS  about posting a corrected version in the office. The problem in this case has to do with the USGS quads used to make the District map. The trail disappears where two quads meet.
    The wire was just for alligator clipping a portable phone to for occasional observations from the point.
    We leave the old 705 sign alone because it is neat.
    The part of the trail you didn't see features another viewpoint and a small lake/meadow.
    Really too bad about the weather.
    The west trailhead sign is missing. We haven't yet put the new one up. Will soon.
    • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
    • 9/24/07; 12:11:06 PM ¦ by Rob Williams
    • I actually printed out the USFS sheet and took it with me.  I just figured that the current map would be more "current"  (I figured the trail got re-routed a bit).  If I can get a day off this week, and the weather is good, I might try and head back up there to the "real" trail.  I think I know what the 146 spur was (it is the only real spur road off the 140),  but it wasn't signed either....Darn those rednecks!!!!

      Thanks for the additional info on the telephone wire.  Very cool to see living history in the forest.  I know others have said this before, but you really should write a book on the history of the area.  I'd gladly purchase it.  I was trying to help my dad publish some of his poetry, and found a site that allows anyone to self publish, with no minimums or up front cost.  You basically upload your document, tell it what format you want (binding, cover, size, etc), and pay $x per book printed, based on the format and the number of pages.   Pretty cool way to get a semi professionally done book for cheap, since there is no risk of losing any money, and no minimums.  You only pay for the books you actually print.  Since you didn't want .com sites posted here, I won't post the link, but let me know if you are interested and I'll forward the site.


      Rob
      • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
      • 9/24/07; 3:31:08 PM ¦ by Donovan
      • I am not qualified to write a book about the Forest but I wish one of the Forest Archaeologists could be given a grant to publish a series of history notes. I have seen at least one excellent paper that there is no money to publish.
        • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
        • 9/24/07; 4:13:36 PM ¦ by Rob Williams
        • I would be willing to help compile stuff for a book.  Using one of the self publishing sites, it requires no money, since you only print the copies you want (or other people want).

          I think you are too modest.  You are a fountain of info on the forest!
        • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
        • 9/24/07; 5:06:40 PM ¦ by Robert Koscik

        • If yer not qualified then no one is.  I don't think many people have the passion and hard earned knowledge you do about our special woods.  Not only that, you're a good writer!

          I'd like ta write a book myself but where th' hell do ya start?   From microscopic spores to PGE trucks....

        • Re: Forest History (#)
        • 9/24/07; 6:01:08 PM ¦ by Tom Kloster
        • Marcia Sinclair did a nice job of weaving MHNF history into her "Hiking Mount Hood National Forest" book a few years ago - she's a former USFS employee, so who knows, maybe she'd be interested in working with some of the remaining old timers? I can't imagine that the OHS wouldn't be interested in doing something like this. If Howard ("Rondy") Rondthaller and/or Dick Worthington are still alive, both would be great to interview for this sort of thing.

          Tom
          • Re: Forest History (#)
          • 9/24/07; 9:53:28 PM ¦ by Donovan
          • An adequate history, in my estimation, would require at least two years of full time research followed by six months of writing. Some information would be difficult to access.
            The Forest is a large, varied, and complex place. The Gorge and Mount Hood have their own unique histories interwoven in part with that of the Forest. A history requires a serious academic effort similar to that undertaken by the BLM with regard to the O and C  Lands.
            A smaller anecdotal collection would be easier. At one time, I thought there was a web site being built with history specific to Mount Hood as it's subject. Wikipedia has an entry that could be flushed out any number of contributors.
            If anyone would like to contribute some history items, there is a small closet in the ABOUT section of this site where it would be fun to add some more information.
            PS
            I have noticed that the maps are quite popular. There are more, but those posted represent the best of them in terms of trail coverage. Hardcore map people need to visit the map room at the U of O.
            PS
            I think they still need a 1958 Mount Hood map to make their collection complete.

            What I appreciate the most about Marcia's book is that she could appreciate a small and subtle place like Anvil Lake.

            I tried to excite OHS about Lt. Abbot's 1855 explorations for an article to mark the 150th anniversary of his feat but they had no one available.

            History writing, like trail maintenance, requires adequate funding to do well.
            • Re: Forest History (#)
            • 9/26/07; 12:43:58 PM ¦ by Rob Williams
            • Call it what you will, but even an anecdotal collection would be a great resource (something is better than nothing at all), and something that would be very interesting to me, and I'm sure a lot of other people as well.  I'll have to take a look at Marcia's book....

              A wiki would be a good place to start, and could be the basis for a collection.  I'd be happy to help get something like this going.
      • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
      • 9/24/07; 5:11:42 PM ¦ by Robert Koscik

      • Historically, the Rimrock Trail continued up to Cache Meadow.  A few weeks back I found about 1/4 mile of the original 1900ish trail that crosses Cripple Creek right before Bob's Buck Camp.  Of course it hits a clearcut but it would be really cool to link the 2 trails together gain' like 1915 all over again.  It would be lots of chainsaw work but it's less than a couple miles.

        Can you believe that road was put in in the late '60s?  Before that was all trails and wilderness... 

  • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
  • 9/26/07; 7:21:04 PM ¦ by Bill Cattrall
  • The state forestry office in Salem has a small forestry history center.  It is a small house that has been converted.  At the moment they have displays of fire lookouts, burns, and planting.  They said that by the first of the year they hope to have a collection of documents, photos, and maps on the second floor for research.  It is run by two retired FS guys on a shoestring.  Its worth a look if you are in the area.  They are on the State Forestry Center on State St. across from the prison.  They cover the history of all forest services not just the state.
    Bill
    • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
    • 9/27/07; 5:51:04 AM ¦ by Rob Williams
    • The new Tillamook Forestry center is worth a look as well, although its history is pretty much geared towards the Tillamook Forest (and the 4 major Forest Fires they had).  We went there as a family, and it is a very interesting, informative place.

      I'll have to add the place in Salem to my list of places to go.  Sounds like an interesting place!  Thanks for passing it along!

      Rob
      • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
      • 9/27/07; 7:11:30 AM ¦ by Simon Harding
      • When they put the lookout in there I could not fathom how they could have done so in a river bottom. Folks would be willing to drive a bit to get to a point where that LO would have offered at least a nominal view. The present location offers none of the perspective or appreciation of the size of the land.

        Speaking of history, I also worry a bit that the state is reneging on the promise it made as to the Tillamook State Forest when it was planted after the burn. it appears the logging end of it is getting pushed further and further back, and environmentalists and hikers are pushing out other longtime users - the four wheelers and motorcyclists.

        The TSF has long been a sanctioned destination for four wheelers and motorcyclists. Closing it to or significantly limiting these activities there is going to result in those acitvities taking palce on NF and BLM land.

        Simon
        • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
        • 9/27/07; 9:42:22 AM ¦ by Robert Koscik

        • What about that vote a few years back, about retaining more of the Tillamook for environmental concerns?  The vote failed in favor of logging.

          I don't like visiting/camping etc. in the Tillamook, it's too ripped up.  Plus that entire zone around Ore6 is very heavily used by ATVs.  The whole forest is essentially plantation at this point.

  • Re: Rimrock Trail (704) questions (#)
  • 10/28/07; 5:27:59 PM ¦ by Rob Williams
  • I finally got to hike the full length of the Rimrock trail today (except for the last steep bit down to 5835), and I think I have a new trail to add to my favorites!  The view from the top of Mt Mitchell is outstanding!  I spent about an hour up there eating lunch and just enjoying the view.  The first section of trail that I missed the last time I hiked this is also probably the nicest section, so it was good to be able to see that as well.  Didn't have any trouble finding the trail this time, since there are now new signs to help point the way!  (Thanks, Donovan!)

    I saw a couple of flaggings on the trail, but I couldn't figure out what they were for.  The USFS description shows a "junction with abandoned trail" at the .5 mile mark, but neither of the flagging looked anything like a trail intersection.  I also couldn't find the junction with the trail the Good Spring, but I didn't look that hard, either.  Maybe I just need to sharpen my "trail eyes" for old trails.....

    Seriously, if you get the chance to go up to Rimrock on a clear day, take advantage.  From the east edge, it has the best view of any of the peaks I've been on.

    Rob