Manila Discussion archive for:
  • 508/509 Trails

    After perusing some of the old maps from U of O that someone posted on the Portland Hikers website, I see two trails not listed here.  508 and 509.  509 appears to follow the Roaring River and 508 appears to go from 4610 (abbot road) past Twin Springs down to Roaring River.

    Anyone know anything about them?

    Rob
    508/509 Trails
  • Re: 508/509 Trails (#)
  • Plaza Creek Trail:

    http://www.trailadvocate.org/trails/506

    The area was impacted quite heavily by fires in the 20s, and the trails in the area weren't built to the greatest standards.  Therefore, it's hard to find a steady route in that country.  I've followed the Plaza Trail a couple miles maybe, it fades in and out, and is EXTREMELY steep.  Right up the side of the mountain, no switchbacks and tons of brush.  It's a fun area to explore in mainly second growth forest, but make sure you know routefinding, it's easy to get lost.  The tread is very faint, I don't think this trail ever got much use.  Also very crumbly dirt/geolgy.  It is believed that a lot of the Roaring River trails were built for reseeding efforts in the 30s after the fires, and were abandoned quickly after.

    Last I heard, there is still 8' of snow in that area......

  • Re: 508/509 Trails (#)
  • There is a trail out of Roaring River campground that goes upstream for about 1.5 miles on the east side of the river. It starts out pretty good and then disappears and comes back for awhile before reaching some cliffs. Don't know if this is an old trail or just a well-traveled animal trail.