Wahkiacus High Prairie

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Klickitat County, WA, US

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Route Overview

Adventure PNW

Routes to lesser known places. Roads, trails and wanderlust in Oregon and Washington.

28 mi.

2,534 ft.

A mix of gravel, primitive dirt and tarmac encircling the Klickitat Trail, a rail-to-trail conversion in south central Washington, with bucolic views of pasture land, cattle ranches, wheat fields and wildlife...all in the shadow of the Columbia Hills and distant Cascade peaks. Look for an iron sculpture, hawks over head and black tailed deer darting across the road.

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Route Details

On rainy days west of the Cascades it's easy to forget that a short hour's drive to the east the sun shines brightly across the wind-swept plains of Southwest Washington. There are many great (and dry) desitinations here, including the the aptly named [High Prairie](http://www.highprairie.us), which is both a location and a way-of-life where an enduring pioneer spirit still resonates in the people, sights and sounds of this hardscrabble land in the heart of [Klickitat County](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klickitat_County,_Washington).

Those who venture this way may already know the eponymous [Klickitat Trail](http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/klickitat-rail-trail), a rail-to-trail conversion that follows the  [Klickitat River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klickitat_River) north from Lyle to the unincorporated community Wahkiacus before heading east through the remote [Swale Canyon](http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Klickitat_Trail:_Swale_Canyon_Hike). The trail is great, but if you've already checked it off your bucket list, don't despair, more adventure awaits: hundrends of miles of gravel and paved roads, both well groomed and primitive, criss-cross the Klickitat Valley.

If you like variety, there is a little of everything here: paved roads, smooth gravel, forest-road-like rocky gravel and primitive dirt roads with signs warning  impassable when wet that still pose a challenge when dry with a surface alternating between hard-pack dirt and course sand plus a  scattering of fist-sized rocks. Alter the route to suite your tastes and equipment.

# Route

* This adventure shares its @photo[starting point](1704323) with the [Wahkiacus Trail Head](http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Wahkiacus_Trailhead) with enough parking for several vehicles. 
* It bypasses the Klickitat Trail to the east, and instead heads north-east on on @slice[Horseshoe Bend Road](d,560.33,11158.02) on a moderate two mile climb though the woods and into the country side above and parallel to [Swale Canyon](http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Klickitat_Trail:_Swale_Canyon_Hike) and the trail below. 
* Around @slice[three miles](d,4962.17,6499.29) the climbing lessens and the country side views beckon you to roll on. You'll pass ranches and a cattle pastures and some interesting road-side @photo[sculpture](1704337). Who says ranchers aren't creative? Turn around to catch a view of [Mount Adams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Adams_(Washington)) to the north west. 
* At just under four miles you'll reach the first bend in Horseshoe Bend road; then a mile to the south, @poi[Harms Road](2095486). Continue straight here, heading south, to shorten the route by about four miles, but you'll miss the fun and challenging @poi[Ahola Road](2095419). A sign warns the road may not be passable when wet. This section does make good use of fatter (1.5" - 2") tires, but should be passable on thinner tread depending on the conditions. If you're riding your 'cross or mountain bike, you'll have few issues, but roadies may want to avoid it.
* This route turns west at @poi[Finn Ridge Road](2095487) where it climbs for a bit before returning to Harms Road. From here it is all downhill to @slice[Centerville Highway](d,24495.48,31415.3). 
* Nearing Centerville Highway you'll pass the @poi[Klickitat Trail - Harms Road Trailhead](2095418). The trail avoids the longest stretch of pavement on @slice[Centerville Highway](d,24495.48,31415.3) where the vehicle traffic, while sparse, still passes at a high rate of speed. In the spring the wild flowers in the canyon are amazing. If you don't mind a rougher, rockier surface, and if it's not fire season, don't miss the chance to ride here at least once.  
* Those who prefer tarmac over trail should take @slice[Centerville Highway](d,24495.48,31415.3). Along the way catch a peek of @photo[Swale Canyon](1704346) to the north as you climb.
* The final stretch of this journey starts at @poi[Schilling](2095563) road on a brief, but steep, climb for another mile before the road levels out again and the pavement ends. The next four miles head almost straight north on smooth gravel with several rolling hills with fast descents and short, steep climbs. 
* Over the @slice[last three miles](d,40644.74,44625.96) the road steepens and becomes noticably more primitive, like a high mountain forest road. Watch for sub-surface rocks as you wind your way back to the Wahkiacus trail head. This is another section where a mountain or 'cross bike shines while gravel grinders will have to be a bit more cautious.

# Notes

* There is portable toilet at the trailhead but no running water and only seasonal streams in the area. 
* This is active cattle grazing grounds, so filter any water you do find.
* This area dries out quickly in late spring to early summer, and forested areas become a fire hazard. Watch for colsure notices.
* Avoid in mid-summer or on very hot days.
* The route can be extened by heading north-east towards [Goldendale](http://www.ci.goldendale.wa.us) and into the surrounding mountains, or south into the [Columbia Hills State Park](http://parks.state.wa.us/489/Columbia-Hills).
* Typically much drier than the Cascades to the west, Klickitat Valley and High Prairie can be very gusty as storms pass through the region. Expect colder days in winter and hotter days in summer.
* The route is relatively short with mostly gradual climbs; you'll encounter nothing extreme except the beauty of the landscape. A moderate level of fitness should suffice.

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Wahkiacus High Prairie

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