The Rock and the River

[funnelfan]

The Rocks and Rivers of many parts of the Pacific Northwest are the yin and yang of spectacular scenery. While they are opposites, one hard and solid, the other soft and fluid, they coexist in mutual harmony. And against this backdrop we place our environment and infrastructure. And in such places where the rocks and river are on equal footing, and in equal quantities, we find the most spectacular of backdrops. We often give these places special names ending with Gorge or Canyon, or even Chasm. And as photographers we seek out these places to capture the treasures that they hold. And so it begins....the railfan trip.

It's been a while a while since I've been on a real railfan trip. Having moved to western Washington and getting settled into a new job and home took some time. It didn't help that work has been busy lately, limiting my time to go anywhere. Then the weather was up to it's usual winter self, hiding the sun for days on end. But finally things fell into place. I had some time off, and there was a sliver of hope for some sunny weather. I knew I had to make the most of it, and headed for the Columbia River Gorge and the Deschutes River Canyon. Having been so long since I did much railfanning, if found that I was a little out of practice the first day. I missed some trains and screwed up some shots that I should have gotten. But those frustrations were soon replaced by success in getting some terrific images.

1. M-PASTAC crossing the long causeway west of Lyle.

2. A Roosevelt bound garbage train M-EVEROO passing below the rest area west of Lyle.

3. The U-EVEROO again passing Horse Thief Lake.

4. Another garbage train about to enter the tunnel east of Wishram.

[funnelfan]

5,6. A westbound UP intermodal train approaching Celio Park.

7. E-CECCRM just east of Maryhill.

8. U-EVEROO east of Maryhill.

[Railgeek]

Love #7 there, looks like you got your share of cream n' green units! How many trains did you see there? Normally when I go down, there isn't much traffic.

[funnelfan]

Adding a snowy Mountain Hood to the mix.

9,10. A eastbound M-SEAPAS in the hole at Maryhill waiting on Amtrak #27 early in the morning.

11. After Amtrak clears the M-SEAPAS gets underway.

12. M-VBCPAS coming around the bed east of Maryhill.

[funnelfan]

13. A loaded grain train between Home Valley and Stevenson. It's not easy to get to this point as it's straight down the hill from Hwy 14 through the brush and trees.

14. A empty grain train at North Bonneville.

15. A westbound heads into the hole at Cooks for a crew change.

16. The "West Local" returning to Wishram.

[funnelfan]

17,18. A DPU'ed H-EVEBAR in the Deschutes River Canyon at Shears Falls.

19, 20. The M-SEAPAS east of Maryhill.

[funnelfan]

A while back I was looking at Terraserver looking for overlooks into the rather inaccessible Deschutes River Canyon. I was rather intrigued by the Gordon Ridge Road, and planned to explore it one day. I wasn't disappointed one little bit, as the view of the Canyon is Spetacular from the top of the ridge straight down 2000' to the canyon floor. Better Yet, I got there in time for a three way meet at Lockit, which was just below me. The only bad part was that the clouds rolled in before the trains arrived. The next series of images were taken from just off the road.

21. Overall view with the trains below.

22-24. The H-EVEBAR approaching and entering the siding of lockit.

[funnelfan]

25. H-BARVAW approaching the siding with the H-EVEBAR.

26. H-BARVAW on the horseshoe after stopping to line back the north switch at Lockit.

27. M-KFAPAS entering the cut on the horseshoe curve.

28. M-KFAPAS coming down the hill at Celio on approach to the bridge over the Columbia River.

[PNWhogger]

Great phots, Ted. Nice views of the Deschutes River Canyon that people usually don't see.

[Youngwarrior]

Great shots, Ted. Thanks for showing the ones from Gordon Ridge Road. I too have often wondered if there weren't some good locations from the rim.