The Salmonberry Corridor Coalition is a group of interested stakeholders whose primary focus is to identify what the needs and opportunities are, and what must be overcome for this Corridor project to be successful over the coming decades. The Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust has been tasked with serving as a non-profit advocate and fund-raiser for the Salmonberry Corridor project. This group will also refine ini- tial proposals for project governance.


The Route Due to the span of the trail and the diversity of terrain it


covers, the route was broken into four segments: Valley, Salmonberry, Nehalem, and Coastal. This allows for planning and design to be focused on the individual segment. While the connectivity is maintained along the entire corridor, it emphasizes unique experiences along each segment. A sum- mary of the segments follows.


Valley Segment Banks (MP 774.7) to Cochran (MP 800)


This 25-mile easternmost segment of the Corridor runs


from the fertile farmlands of western Washington County into the Coast Range foothills. This segment may be the most likely to see trail development soon, thanks to the proximity to the Metro Portland population base, its relatively undam- aged condition, and potential linkages to existing trails including the Banks-Vernonia Trail.


Salmonberry Segment Cochran (MP 800) to the Nehalem Confluence (MP 816)


This 16-mile segment of the Corridor is the wildest, most


remote, and most damaged portion of the line. The segment has the most potential for providing Corridor visitors with an experience of the deep Coast Range forest and the scenic Salmonberry River but it also presents serious challenges to access, with major storm damage and limited road or trail connections into the heart of the region. This segment may remain as an undeveloped adventure trail for a long time. Until funding is secured, it will be attrac- tive as an ecotourism destination, with some visitors drawn by the railroad relics and damage. Hikers and backpackers could make use of remote campsites within the canyon which would not require significant development. Mountain-bikers would likely see the Segment as a day-trip opportunity.


Nehalem Segment Nehalem Confluence (MP 816) to Wheeler (MP 833)


This 17-mile segment of the Corridor runs from the Nehalem Confluence, along the Nehalem River into rural farm and forest lands before turning west at Mohler, and run- ning along the edge of the Nehalem estuary into Wheeler, on Nehalem Bay.


This segment might see most demand from visitors


already at the Oregon coast who use the Corridor as a day trip into the State Forest along the Salmonberry as far as they are able, returning to accommodation in Wheeler or Nehalem Bay State Park. The proposed Cougar Valley State Park could serve the same function (as well as providing campsites for users of the segment heading east). This section and the


10 NEW YEARS 2015 AmericanTrails.org High trestle along the Salmonberry Corridor


Coastal Segment continue to offer passive recreation in the form of scenic train trips along the Corridor.


Coastal Segment Wheeler (MP 833) to Tillamook Industrial Park (MP 859.13)


This 26-mile westernmost segment of the Corridor runs along the coast, from the small community of Wheeler on Nehalem Bay, to Rockaway Beach, Garibaldi, and Tillamook, ending at the Port of Tillamook’s Industrial Park adjacent to the Tillamook Air Museum. This segment is currently partially leased to the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR), which runs excursion trains from Garibaldi to Rockaway with excursions to Wheeler, and aspires to extend trips to Tillamook and Enright. This segment, passing through numerous coastal commu- nities, or “trail towns,” and close to a large number of tourist hotels and rental homes, would be popular with casual day users and would not require significant investment in trail- heads since many visitors could access the trail on foot or bike.


The Corridor here could link to and capitalize on existing visitor attractions. (We assume that this segment’s proximity to US 101 would deter equestrian users.) This segment would also be of potential interest as a recreational resource for full- time residents on the coast for fitness and casual use as well as for commuting to work.


Next Steps


The Salmonberry Coalition is focused on developing a gover- nance plan in early 2015. This will provide the framework for the Salmonberry Corridor to begin a capital campaign, identi- fy project prioritization and future operational needs for the trail. The Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust, a 501 (c) 3, is part- nering with the Coalition as a fundraiser for the project. They are developing a capital campaign to look at the strategies to raise the more than $50 million needed to complete the 86-mile trail.


Download the “Salmonberry Corridor Concept Plan” at www. AmericanTrails.org/resources/railtrails.


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