Once again, the cold and wet weather keeps me from the mountain hikes that I prefer so I pick another “urban hike” and head to Sauvie Island. Sauvie Island is located northwest of downtown Portland along US Route 30 and southern shore of the Columbia River. The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area comprises almost half of this 26,000-acre island and is home to over 250 different birds and over 57 different species of mammals. Warrior Rock Lighthouse is located on the northeastern tip of the island and helps to warn river traffic of the bedrock reef that projects into the Columbia. The original lighthouse was built in 1889 and is considered the smallest lighthouse in Oregon.
We arrive at the parking area (see driving directions below) for the trail to Warrior Rock Lighthouse, and cross over the gate at the southern end. We walk through a pasture heading towards the trees and the trail/road that leads out to the eastern tip of Sauvie Island. The trail was once a service road to the Warrior Rock Lighthouse and it parallels the mighty Columbia River. There’s a long stretch of beach, though not much of it right now, due to the high water levels of the river. Apparently, when the river is low during the summer and fall, you can walk the beach nearly all the way to the lighthouse.
After scouting out the beach, we head back to the trail and into the thick cottonwood, oak and alder forest. In no time there appears a fork in the road with no signage indicating which way to go, so we decide to veer to the right and stay next to the river in hopes of viewing an oceangoing vessel. And sure enough, we are lucky to see a large barge transporting sawdust. The trail is muddy and slick thanks to our above normal rainfall so we walk carefully. It’s quiet except for the robins and towhees flirting with us along the path. The understory is thick with blackberries, snowberries and even wild roses loaded with rose hips. There is a lake to our left, which we later find out, is called Ruby Lake, and we spot a blue heron swooping over it, probably in search of food.
To our surprise, the trail suddenly comes to an abrupt halt. Ruby Lake to our left has flooded and the Columbia River, higher than normal, has spilled over a low spot in its bank and the two have joined forces to cover our trail with water! And I mean lots of it. We are not prepared to walk through water and looking ahead we can see that the trail is impassable. So sadly, we turn around and backtrack to the fork in the road. This time, we take the trail that leads inland and walk along a well-maintained gravel road. It curves along the southeast end of the flooded Ruby Lake and though the water is high, the road is still higher, so we are able to keep walking.
We strolled along the gravel road and took the path that surrounded the lake on the south side. But once again, our trail was unexpectedly blocked by water. Unbelievable! Ruby Lake to our right was spilling over its banks and the slough on our left was merging with it and once again meeting in the middle to cover our trail. We tromped along trying to walk on the highest patches of grass and mud, but finally realized Mother Nature was in charge here and we were not going to make it out to Warrior Rock Lighthouse today.
So, we headed back to the gravel road and back to the beach for one last close look at the Columbia River and then through the pasture back to the car. Oh well, it was a lovely day with not a drop of rain and it leaves us yearning to go back and walk the trail another day when the weather is drier. When I reached home I googled the water levels along the Columbia near Sauvie Island and the National Weather Service declared an “alert of minor flooding due to above normal rain”. Remember to always dress appropriately for the weather and bring snacks and drinkable water.
How To Get There:
Head North on I-5 for approximately 45 miles. Just south of downtown Portland, take the I-405 exit and stay in the left lane. Take the exit for US 30. After traveling 10 miles on US 30, turn right and cross over the Sauvie Island Bridge. The Sauvie Island Market will be on your left (where you can get your parking pass), continue 2 miles, turning right onto Reeder Rd. Stay on Reeder Rd. for 15 miles making sure to veer to the left when you come to a fork in the road and a sign for Gillihan Road. You’ll pass parking areas for Welton and Collins Beach but continue on to the end where there is a large parking area for Warrior Rock Lighthouse. The last 2.5 miles of the road is gravel. It’s about 75 miles one way and takes about 1.5 hour.
Distance and Elevation Gain:
The trail is flat, easy and if you walk all the way to Warrior Rock Lighthouse, it is 7 miles round trip.Fees and permits:
A parking pass for $7 is required and can be purchased at the Sauvie Island Market.
Fees and permits:
A parking pass for $7 is required and can be purchased at the Sauvie Island Market.
