Klickitat Trail
This trail has a controversial history and hasn't been accepted by everyone in the community. Leave No Trace practices are vital here - pack out all trash and stay on the trail. The trail is public access most of the land on either side of it is private land. There are multiple gates across the trail but none are locked, just go through them and close them behind you.
Around mile 18-19, where the canyon trailbed turns into a driveway you will pass some trailers, shacks and cabins. You'll see a large chair and wood stove along the trail. Let's just say these people are anti-social - do not mingle here and if you have dogs keep them on a leash.
Info
31 mile gravel RR grade. From http://www.klickitat-trail.org:
Located in southern Washington State, in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, the Klickitat Trail follows the first 31 miles of an old railroad corridor linking the towns of Lyle and Goldendale. It is unique among rail trails. Nowhere else is there a rail trail that starts in a remote, beautiful tributary canyon, winds along a nationally designated Wild & Scenic River, and finishes in one of the nation’s only National Scenic Areas.
The 31-mile gently-graded Trail starts in the breathtaking, remote Swale Canyon and passes through the small town of Klickitat before following all 10.5 miles of the beautiful Wild and Scenic Klickitat River, ending at the trailhead near Lyle, Washington, at the confluence of the Klickitat and Columbia Rivers. The Trail’s spectacular scenery includes carved gorges, interesting geologic formations, abundant wildflowers, rolling oak and ponderosa pine forests, and great birding opportunities, including winter habitat for bald eagles near the Lyle trailhead.
The first 17 miles of the Trail follow the Klickitat River, a nationally designated Wild & Scenic River. The Trail then heads east, through Swale Creek Canyon, a pristine area that is extraordinarily scenic, ecologically significant, and largely isolated from human activity. The rugged, remoteness of Swale Canyon draws mountain bikers and adventurers. Beautiful carved n arrow gorges of the Klickitat and Swale Canyons, with their rolling oak and pine forested hillsides, host spectacular wildflower displays and provide topnotch birding opportunities. The Klickitat Trail is truly a gem of the Columbia River Gorge and the Pacific Northwest.