Pacific Northwest - Fish Lake Trail part II

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stevemtbr

10-12-09, 05:49 PM

Since I have nothing but time on my hands I decided to take a ride out to the trail and check on the progress. They're still working on the parking area and bridges. The new pavement starts just at the bridge that goes over Thorpe Rd and is paved until the bridge at Marshall Rd, about 3 miles worth. No paving was going on today but the equipment is still there and the remaining gavel sections look like there ready to get paved. The trail head in Marshall at the end of the paved section off of S. Scribner has new trail closed signs heading to Fish Lake. Honestly in the past I've just ignored them and ridden on through with no issues. I attached a bunch of pics for your veiwing pleasure.

Soon to be trail head parking
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/stevemtbr/IM000208.jpg

Bridge work
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/stevemtbr/IM000210.jpg

Ready for pavement
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/stevemtbr/IM000211.jpg

Bridge going over Thorpe Rd
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/stevemtbr/IM000212.jpg

Marshall Rd crossing
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/stevemtbr/IM000214.jpg

View from above before I hit the "Marshall Rollers"
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/stevemtbr/IM000215.jpg

Yes I'm still a little kid and like trains
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c255/stevemtbr/IM000216.jpg

toolbear

10-13-09, 09:39 PM

Thanks for the pix. Delighted to see them.

I was looking over that trail last month, trying to find the ends. I want to ride it. On the list for 2010. Did see the paving on S. Marshall Rd at 47.617096° x -117.442899°

I would that you reduce the pix to 800x600 and post them over on traillink.com on the Fish Lake Trail page with your report? It will get a wider audience.

<http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6055744>

What are they doing about the trail head N. of I-90 by Gov. Way? I heard they have started construction. A pix = 1000 words in this game.

toolbear

10-13-09, 09:50 PM

I am trying to place your first and second pix. Is that a trailhead north of the freeway? I see two curved bridges and I believe there is only one at Marshall. Are they shooting the trail under the freeway?

I believe that Scribner Rd will be the end of things until they sort out how to cross the tracks at Fish Lake. Phase III was mentioned. Ride the road down to Fish Lake from there.

The local trails coalition requests not riding the trail south of there owing to liability issues.

stevemtbr

10-13-09, 10:42 PM

Yes the first pic is just north of the freeway and the two curved bridges are active RR lines that come out of town. From the new parking area you can also keep going north on Gov. way or turn down Riverside Ave and pick up the cenntenial Trail heading into town or out to Sontag park in my neck o the woods in Nine Mile.

The bridges in the second pick go over the freeway and the exit off of 90 to 195.

Mtn Mike

10-14-09, 05:06 AM

stevemtbr

10-14-09, 10:03 AM

Awsome report Steve. I had no idea they'd made so much progres. I'll have to check this out soon. By the way, how are the "Marshal Rollers" lately? Last time I was out there some land owners had shut it down by putting up barb wire.

Sad to say it's just not what it used to be. The end by the gravel pit does have many no tresspassing signs up. Back in early 2000 myself and a couple of riding buddies was able to talk to the owner that bought the mineral rights about blocking off that portion of the trail. He was real nice about it but due to some vandalism and liability issues he has to keep it that way.

Where Fish Lake trail goes over Marshall road is where I access the trail. Someone built a house back in the cul de sac so I do stay away from him. Turned left and rode besides the tracks for a couple of hundred yards to pick up the trail. There is still a lot of ATV/dirt bike use so the trail is a little loose but fun. One main problem is the guys riding up the steep sandy climbs from the RR tracks is causing some major errosion on the hill side and trail.

During the spring I rode the trail that goes right from my entry point and that trail climbs up to the state land. They had done some logging at the top but it's still ride able. The down hill is fine and the trail comes out on Thorpe rd.