NATURAL AREAS

Cross-Country Trails

In addition to the trails developed with parks and recreation areas, proposed trails between major points of interest are an important means of recreation. The cross-country trails within or passing through Marion County and their current status are discussed below.

1.    Oregon Loop Trail – This bicycle route that originates in the Portland area travels to the coast, passes through Salem and heads back to Portland, was established as part of the Bicentennial Program in 1976. The route does contain some limited sections of separate bicycle paths, but most of the route, including the segment in Marion County, utilizes existing roadways. The route proceeds on Cherry Avenue through Keizer, to North River Road (State Highway 219), to French Prairie Road (MR 8), to Champoeg Road (MR 12, CR 414), and to Arndt Road (MR 11, MR 60, CR 428) on its way to Clackamas County. This route is shown on the Parks and Recreation Map.

Cherry Avenue and North River Road are designated as first priority bicycle routes in the Salem Urban Area Bicycle Plan. Also, a bidirectional route exists along Cherry Avenue. Acreage residential development is permitted in the Butteville area and the remainder of the route travels through land that is zoned EFU. The permitted uses in the AR and EFU zones do not pose any compatibility conflicts with the bicycle route. The conditional uses allowed in both zones should not create any problems but during the review of a conditional use permit, impact upon the bicycle route should be considered.

2.    Indian Ridge Trail – The Indian Ridge Trail has been identified by the State Parks and Recreation Division as a potential trail linking Silver Falls State Park with the Pacific Crest Trail in the Olallie Lake Scenic area. The lower segment of the trail between the State Park and Willamette National Forest would primarily be on private land. Once in the National Forest, the trail is proposed to roughly follow the ridgeline separating Willamette and Mount Hood National Forests. In the National Forest, pockets of private holdings will be encountered.

At this time, no work is being done on the trail and future work programs are not anticipated. The potential for a trail is recognized, but is not being pursued by the State Parks and Recreation Division. A schematic location of this potential trail is shown on the Parks and Recreation Map (located in the Comprehensive Plan Report).