Pacific Index

Ever heard of the Salmonberry Trail? It’s a stunning stretch of railway that’s being restructured into a trail for outdoor lovers‒ and it’s not far from Pacific

   An aging railroad lines a vast canyon within the Tillamook Forest, stretching from the cityscape of Portland to the coastal outlooks of Rockaway Beach and the city of Tillamook. This 82-mile stretch of rail line was built by the Pacific Railway and Navigation Company in 1901, but before that, native people walked a trail in its place alongside the Salmonberry River, a tributary of the larger Nehalem River.

   But over the decades, disuse, erosion, weather all took their due, and the Salmonberry Railroad remains a mostly unused relic; partially restricted from public use, the railway sits idle in what’s known as some of the prettiest parts of Oregon.

   And that’s where the Salmonberry Trail Foundation (STF) comes in, dedicated to turning the once historical railway into a gorgeous trail, boosting local communities within the heart of the Tillamook Forest. The organization’s goal is to not only develop a safe and accessible trail, providing locals and tourists with a new experience to view nature, but to also build organizational capacity and public support. 

   “Given the high costs of restoring rail service, local community members and other stakeholders saw an opportunity to transform the rail corridor into a multi-use trail,” explains STF staff member, Chelsea Taylor. 

   So how does this trail connect to Pacific University? The Salmonberry Trail will not only connect to the Banks-Vernonia Trail, a popular biking and hiking route just 10 miles from campus, but it will also provide educational benefits, such as ‘The Learning Mile,’ a dedicated section of the trail designed for environmental learning​.” The foundation states that they want the Salmonberry Trail to be a part of the legacy in local communities, hoping that their impact will be long lasting within the surrounding areas of the trail. 

   For those who want to get involved in this remarkable project, there are multiple ways Pacific students and staff can contribute. First, there are easy ways to volunteer, including clean ups and promotional work. Secondly, donations are always welcomed, along with any advocacy to spread awareness throughout not just Forest Grove, but Oregon as a whole. Even just taking guided hikes through the trail can help bump the project along.