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Print Friendly MapThe Crown Zellerbach Trail, more commonly referred to as the Crown Z Trail, makes use of the former route of the Portland and Southwestern Railroad, which became a logging road when the tracks were removed in the 1940s. Now designated as a National Recreation Trail, this peaceful and secluded trail runs just over 23 miles, from Vernonia to Scappoose. Along the way, more than two dozen kiosks explain the area’s geology and wildlife, as well as provide historical information provided by the Columbia County Museum Association.
About the Route
The western starting point, Holce Trailhead, is located about an hour’s drive from downtown Portland. There are no amenities at this trailhead, but restrooms and water can be found at Vernonia Lake Park, located 1.4 miles southwest. At the park, trail enthusiasts can also connect to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.
Those who are more accustomed to the typical rail trail experience and enjoy low grades and well-packed gravel or pavement will want to be prepared for a more adventurous day. This trail is tailor-made for people who appreciate challenging terrain, including steep uphills and downhills (close to 20% grade at some points), as well as regular surface changes. Cyclists would be advised to have wider tires, as more than half of the trail is gravel and some portions have larger, looser stones. For a less challenging experience, head to the southern end of the trail in Scappoose, which is ADA compliant from the Trtek Trailhead to the Chapman Landing Trailhead. Equestrian use is permitted along the entirety of the trail.
Departing from the Holce Trailhead, the trail is paved for about a quarter of a mile, then abruptly changes to loose stone. The first 1.5 miles are uphill, with an elevation gain of about 450 feet. After this initial ascent, which is not shaded, the trail enters the deep forest and enjoys a mostly shaded journey for the first 13 miles.
Birds and other wildlife are abundant along the trail. Although the trail runs mostly parallel with the Scappoose Vernonia Highway and alongside the Nehalem River and Scappoose Creek, the dense tree cover gives an isolated feel. About 5 miles in, the hilly and winding path narrows significantly as the route approaches a bridge that takes you over Hawkins Creek at the Floeter Trailhead. This trailhead offers a vault toilet, a picnic table, and a kiosk about the logging history of the area. Up to this point, the trail has ascended 522 feet and descended 509 feet.
The next 7.5 miles of trail ascend 607 feet and descend 659 feet to the Ruley Trailhead, where there is a bike repair station, vault toilets, a covered picnic area, and more interpretive signage. After the Ruley Trailhead, the trail is mostly flat heading into Scappoose. It is no longer a logging road, but the surface is intermittent with packed gravel. The dense trees give way to lower shrubs and abundant raspberry bushes. Shortly before you cross US 30 in Scappoose (a signaled, high-traffic intersection), there is a trailhead with informational signage, another repair station, and restrooms.
After crossing US 30, the trail passes through marshy wetlands with many bird varieties and through dense vegetation. The trail continues out of Scappoose to the Trtek Trailhead, which has ample parking and restrooms. While this is a significant trailhead, the trail continues an additional 2 miles through farmland, with a termination point at Chapman Landing, which has restrooms, picnic tables, benches, and scenic views of the Columbia Channel.
Connections
At the trail's northern end at Vernonia Lake City Park, trail users can continue along to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.
The Crown Zellerbach Trail runs between 0.5 miles south of E Columbia Ave. (Scappoose) and the Holce Trailhead, 1780 E. Knott St. (Vernonia), where parking is available
Parking is also available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
As the description indicates, this trail is only partially paved, a lot of it has large, loose gravel adding significant time and effort to the pedaling. Additionally, the hill climbs are much steeper than any rail-trail; I'd guess only about half was actually a former rail line. We started in Scappoose and went all the way to Vernonia Lake, ending at the same place as the Banks-Vernonia trail but much more tired! However, the trail has the same beautiful scenery as can be expected in this part of the country--just plan for a longer, more arduous ride!
Day #1 We started at the Pisgah Trailhead Parking and rode north. I think a lot of this was asphalt at some point but most of it has deteriorated to hard pack dirt and small gravel. There are short sections where the asphalt returns. Its about 5 miles to the Ruley Trailhead-we rode another 3 and then turned around. It was gorgeous. Huge tree canopy the whole way. Lots of ferns/heavy moss on trees and we saw a deer on the bike path.
Day#2 - parked at the same place and rode south. The terrain is much more open and as you go south the pavement returns. It's only about 4.5 miles to the end of the trail so we rode Dike Road for several miles. No traffic and at one point you can ride to the top of the dike and see the moored boats and floating houses.
We are just roaming around in our small RV with the ebikes on the back - staying out of the heat of AZ-so I'm glad we got to do this trail and we love all trails pretty much but I wouldn't go out of my way to do it again.
We have electric bikes and we did almost the whole trail. It’s a little challenging in spots. The trail is mostly packed gravel and some pavement. One section somewhere close to the end someone’ put loose gravel on a huge hill and that was not fun. All and all we will be doing this trail again! Oh we seen a deer on the trail too.
We started at Bonnie Falls trailhead and headed up towards Vernonia. The signage was not very clear and we ended up an a logging road for an extra 4 miles. We should have gone under the bridge at about 14 miles. Instead we went on to the logging road. Good views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams but on the wrong road. So we backtracked after talking to some people. The trail was quite muddy in spots (mid-March). Most of the trail was packed dirt and gravel. It is paved from Scapoose to Ruley TH. Then it's trees, river, meadows. Very quiet and pleasant.
Unimproved along sections, and some muddy spots. But gorgeous. Everything the Banks Vernonia LT used to be before it was paved and became a bicycle race track.
Ran half of it (from Vernonia) with a friend today (2/27), and it was very muddy. We had fairly appropriate tires, but full mountain bike knobbies would have certainly helped. The trail would be much more enjoyable after about three rain-free weeks. The first stretch out of Vernonia is pretty steep, but once you cross the paved road it levels out a lot. One other thing to note is that if you ride the paved road on the return leg, the chance of an encounter with an angry motorist is pretty likely. We had several.
mainline
The CZ Trail does not go through at tunnel, but the old logging rail road did.
Details at this link,
https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Nehalem_Divide_Railroad_Tunnel:_West_Portal
Or Google Nehalem Divide Tunnel
Near the West end the map shows the trail as veering North on the Columbia Forest Road. You can go this way, but the CZ Trail actually crosses the Scappoose-Vernonia Hwy about 16.7 miles from Scappoose. Google Maps shows it continuing on Pebble Creek Mnln (whatever Mnln means). Strava identifies the road as Crown Zellerbach Trail. Signage identifies Pebble Creek Mnln as the CZ Trail. Pebble Creek Mnln turns in to E Knott Street in Vernonia.
The trail is very lovely. Smooth packed gravel for the most part. Wet and a bit muddy in places when I road it on New Years Eve. If riding in winter use wide tires. I had 2.25" and was glad for it.
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