2014 Edition
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Hike the Crown-Zellerbach Trail
An approximately 34 mile round trip hike
I did this in segments that started on December 16, 2010
Part one -
Chapman Landing to the Nahalem Divide Summit
Part two -
Nehalem Divide Summit to Pittsburg
Part three -
Camp 8
Part four - The Crown-Zellerbach Nahalem Divide Trail Tunnel
Crown Zellerbach Nahalem Divide Train Tunnel (East Portal)
Crown Zellerbach Nahalem Divide Train Tunnel (West Portal)
Part five -
Camp 8 to Vernonia, linking up with the
Banks-Vernonia Linear Park Trail
GETTING THERE AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
So I'm back in 2014 to see how much this trail and hike has improved over the
past four years.
Segment one:
Chapman Landing to the "official" CZ trailhead
Segment two:
The "official" CZ trailhead to the Nahalem Divide Summit
Segment three:
The Nahalem Divide Summit to Camp 8
Segment four:
Camp 8 to the Vernonia trailhead
Segment five:
Camp 8 to the Pittsburg trailhead
Segment six: The Nahalem Divide trail tunnel
East Portal
West Portal
Segment seven:
Connecting the Banks-Vernonia and Crown-Zellerbach Trails
Segment eight:
Scaponia County Park
The Nahalem Divide summit. This is the highest point on the C-Z trail.
The bridge is on the S-V highway. You're never more than a few thousand
yards from the Scappoose-Vernonia Highway at any point along this trail although at
some spots it would be quite a bushwhack to get to it.
This is a wide, easy to follow trail. Getting lost out here would not be easy.
This time of year, a headlamp or two would be advised as well as water. It's unlikely
that you will see anyone beyond a half mile or so from the summit so be prepared.
At 0.91 miles from the Nahalem Divide Summit overpass bridge, the trail to the
tunnel West portal will be on your left. Even as recently as a year ago, this
trail was very faint and difficult to find. I guess a lot of people have been
viewing my web site because the trail is now quite pronounced and well traveled.
You do have to look for it but if you know what you are looking for, the fork
is very easy to spot. This time of year, you can see the tunnel entrance as
soon as you start down the trail.
This blowdown is fairly recent and sort of spoils the view. I kinda doubt anyone
is going to come along with a chain saw to get it out of there.
This bridge near Scaponia Park is new. You used to have to leave the trail and
walk along the S-V Highway for a short distance and then get back on the trail.
This feature is a nice and welcome improvement to the CZ trail.
In 4.55 miles you'll come to Scaponia Park which can be seen from the CZ trail
this time of year. It's a very short bushwhack to get across the highway and to
the park.
Once you get 1/2 mile or so from the Nehalem Divide Summit, it's unlikely that
you will be seeing any people. However, you're never far from the S-V Highway and
there are houses nearby if you ever need help.
In 6.52 miles you'll enter Camp 8. There really isn't much here now except for
open spaces and a few concrete building foundations. I exhaustively surveyed
Camp 8 a few years ago and that report is
HERE.
This natural gas station was ROARING due to over-pressure venting. You could hear it
a mile away. The smell of gas was troubling... one spark and this would probably
become the World's largest zippo lighter.
A few feet past this station, there is a fork to the left to a bridge that heads
out toward the S-V Highway. If you want to continue on the CZ trail to Vernonia,
take this fork.
Going straight will take you to the Pittsburg trailhead which used to be the end
of the CZ trail a few years ago.
When you come out on the S-V Highway you will be at the Elk Creek trailhead.
This is not an "official" trailhead but there is plenty of space for parking so
long as you are careful not to block truck and service vehicle access.
If you just want to visit Camp 8, this would be a good place to park. It is
also my recommened trailhead for those wanting to do the next segment of this hike.
Due to the elevation gain as you approach the Nehalem Divide Summit, you may
find that starting your hike here, versus at the summit, is easier.
If you continue straight, towards Pittsburg, the next (and last) trailhead is
1.76 miles from Camp 8.
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