The Crown Zellerbach Trail
A Little Disappointing Start ...
We started at the Chapman Landing on the Multnomah Channel in Scappoose, at the edge of the City of Vernonia. Not the most inviting way to start a walk. No trailhead to signal the trail starts or ends here! No official parking lot, just a spot at the side of the road. Chapman Landing is an abandoned landing with massive concrete pieces decorated with graffiti. We first thought we were at the wrong spot! Apparently plans are underway to transform this uninviting waterfront site as a city park. The two miles through suburban Scappoose to the trail crossing Highway 30 were pleasant though due to the beautiful views of the mountains.
... But Still Curious Enough to See The Rest
It took us almost a month to go back where we left off. Since our first impression wasn’t the greatest, we were reluctant to go back because Oregon offers so many great alternatives! However, we wanted to give it another try, and we were glad we did! The trail kept following the Scappoose-Vernonia Highway for a couple of miles. Then the trail breaks away from the highway to go deeper into the forest and the silence becomes noticeable. The climb becomes steeper as the the route doesn’t follow the rail track anymore but the former logging truck road. At the top of the climb, the trail turns back again to the Scappoose-Vernonia Highway. The path continues under a bridge and becomes the Columbia Forest Road and descends to Vernonia for a fe miles..The last part of the trail has scenic views, and surprises with a steep descend and climb to Vernonia.
And to Let It All Sink in with A Great Lunch !
And ofcourse, we deserved lunch and refreshing beverages after the last strenuous leg with a steep climb. As always, we love to try out local restaurants. “All In Pub & Eatery” proved to be an excellent choice; the restaurant has the local feel, friendly service, great food, and reasonable prices. Definitely the place to go if you’re in the area.
And since we were close to Shay Park, we added just a few more steps to see is the final resting place of Shay locomotive #102 which was once owned and operated by the Oregon-American Lumber Company. Johny Cash’s song Lumberjack came to mind.
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