Cottage Grove - River Row Trail

If you're in the mood to get some good distance in, enjoy smooth pavement and few hills, then Cottage Grove is the place to skate. Located about 25 miles south of Eugene, the Row River Trail is 15.6 miles long (with 12.6 of that asphalt). It's a rails to trails project paving former abaondoned rail lines. There were five Howe truss bridges and twenty-three pile trestles to cross.

You can start at the beginning in Cottage Grove. Look for the Cottage Grove Hotel and the railroad tracks as a landmark. The town still has the slower pace of days gone by with the convience of Safeway and Walmart. A good place to get whatever drinks or food you need for the afternoon.

Look for the Row River Trail sign at the beginning. The Row River, which rhymes with cow , was named for a fatal brawl over grazing rights in the 1850s.

In 1902 the "Old Slow and Easy" main line was built to run ore from the Bohemia mining district as well as logs, supplies, mail and passengers from Cottage Grove to Disston, in the Umpqua National Forest. The end of the line is still evident.

The trail can be used year round. There are no rental or retail skate shops available unless you head to Eugene or Springfield.

Bring a skate tool and spare bolt as there aren't many places to catch a ride. Even in Ford country. Walkmans are entertaining, but you will have the chance to hear the crickets, nubian goats or other expected farm animals. The ripening blackberries and apples smell particularly sweet out here.

The neighbors in the country seem to compete differently in yard design than their urban cousins. Some folks take country landscaping very seriouly. Though regular railroad passenger service ended in July 1930, summer tourists used the line in the 1970s. A handful of runs served the Culp Creek lumber mill into the late 1980s. The Bureau of Land Management pave it in 1996 with the remaining 3 miles, through the city of Cottage Grove, to be paved soon.

There is plenty of evidence of the past railroad. Some became very creative with their living space and all the details. Convenient use of what was there the day the tracks were retired.

The trail parallels Row River Road most of the way. Good use was made of a former trestle that doesn't strike the usual fear of a roaring train coming. This trestle is recognizable from the 1986 film Stand By Me.

From this trestle you can see a crystal clear creek running under a nearby covered bridge. Both unusual to see in the burbs. This is located at Harms Park, at mile 5.3. A nice place to stop with picnic tables and rest rooms.

There is another covered bridge prior to arriving at the dam. It's a short way from the trail and visible from the road when driving to mid-trail. Another secret reward for leaving the car. Lane County has over twenty covered bridges, which is more than any county west of Appalachians.

There's a mile of gentle incline before arriving at the Dorena Dam which provides flood control, irrigation and recreation. A portion of the railway and some buidlings were moved before the dam was built, and others burned. The reservoir was filled in the 1940s. The old railroad route can be seen along the bottom of the lake during winter drawdowns. There are plenty of places to stop here for a good view of waterskiers, sailboats and a sparkling lake.

Mid-trail, with a boat ramp, parking, restrooms and picnic areas, is a great place to rest and return to. There are also well placed bathrooms (not-too-smell with no running water) all along the trail. And places to tie your horse right next to them. Other rails to trails projects pave the entire railroad bed for the path. The Row River Trail is paved slightly narrower to allow for a gravel horse trail alongside. There was not enough evidence of horses to be concerned about what your skates ran into.

Even though there are no places to buy antyhing needed for most of the trail, the Row River Store at Culp Creek, near the end of the trail, still sells basic neccessities, offers a shady place to rest and one last stop for gas. In between crackers, five jars of baby food and a 1972 sewing kit, you can find the latest sports drink, plenty of cold water and great information from the locals.

About 200 yards from the store is the end of the trail, in which there is no mistaking. Unless you have a mountain bike or a horse, the end IS the end.

You can go back and forth as much you like, but eventually your feet will tell you it's time to head off for a well deserved milkshake. You will have certainly earned it!

Don't miss out on another excuse to drive out of town for the day. Cottage Grove is only about 2.5 hours south of Portland. A quick drive with good company, and a chance to catch glimpes of Oregon's rugged past. See attached map and directions.

Happy trails,

Kim Bria

To reach the western trailhead, Mosby Creek, take exit 174 off I-5 at Row River Road in Cottage Grove. Drive 3.5 miles southeast to Layng Road and the Currin Covered Bridge. Turn right, crossing Mosby Creek. Turn into the trailhead at 1 mile. Other trailheads are all found on Row River Road. These include Dorena Dam, Harms Park, Bake Stewart Park, and Dorena.