Banks-Vernonia State Trail Photos    

We were getting drenched with rain on this ride a couple of weeks ago but seeing this owl certainly made the ride worth the trip. He was big and stately and WATCHING us and all who rode the trail that day.

Late April Sunday ride and no rain!

Taken on a Sunday ride late April 2013

A look over the edge of the trestle... you don't get the appreciation for it unless you stop and look.

Cruising along the trestle just before the angle starts tilting up.

The last 'level' stretch before beginning the long climb up into the Costal Range of mountains. It is an absolutely beautiful ride!

Taking a mid-afternoon break high in the Costal Range.

The lumber from the vast forests was taken up over the Pacific Coast Range of mountains. There are still remains of old wooden trestles hidden away in the dense forest. There are wonderful side paths that one can ride with a mt. bike - not paved...

Switchbacks on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. Signs recommmend that one walk the bike through them if one is unsure of how much punishment one's brakes will take. We rode it; used mountain gears and heated up the brakes. Did fine...

I do not know what this structure was for....?

An impressive structure, what remains of it. Trees are actually growing inside the structure and local 'artists' try their hand with spray paint. Actually, some are quite good and very creative.

According to some historical records, in the 1920’s, the Oregon-American lumber mill was possibly the largest operation of its kind in the world. Scattered on one side of Vernonia Lake, one may explore some of the old ruins that are left behind.

Down at the Manning Trailhead

On the Buxton Trestle

Rather a sharp turn at any speed.

New switchback at the trailhead

Nice new switchbacks and 10% grade

Nice new trailhead at Banks

End of the trail in Banks

New flushies and water at Banks Trailhead

The Manning Trailhead

Long way down from the Buxton Trestle

Anderson Park in Vernonia = Trail End

Tophill Trestle

The trailhead is getting a surplus Bailey Bridge

I could visualize the skid and fall on the moss below.

You will cross this creek several times

The trestle from the horse bypass

The trestle from the horse bypass

Open for business

Timber trestle - a vanishing breed

The Buxton Trestle on the Banks-Vernonia Trail

The Buxton Trestle on the Banks-Vernonia Trail

It appears that the horseshoe trestle is about to reopen

Views of mountains in the distance, from high filled ridge lines.

Soon you arrive at the barricaded horseshoe trestle. The trail detours down and back up to the other side. Stop here for a moment and marvel at this awesome structure.

The trail south to Manning is beautiful with tracks like this.

We started here at the broken trestle at Tophill and tracked 10 miles downhill to Manning.