in the Spring 2001

Camas Prairie Revisited

Approaching Portifino the rails leave the creek  which drops off to the left, and passes through old orchards before descending into

town, crossing a long wooden trestle over the highway.  (4th Sub.)

CliPhotos by Peterc

As seen from the highway, two trestles in Lapwai Canyon.

At Lawyers Creek, unlike our winter ride, we could see the entire bridge.

Above:  Looking down

while crossing the bridge at Lawyers Creek caused a terrifying feeling

of vertigo.

Arne crosses the highway on the descent to Culdesac.

Notice the Half Moon trestle above Arnes' head.  We crossed it about 45 minutes ago.

Arne checks his gear as he heads out on Half Moon trestle.

Dick crosses Portifino Creek.  White water was the rule, not the exception.

Ken crossing the trestle leading into Portifino.

That's not a Bud in his hand, it's a camcorder.

Many of the tunnels are natural bore and the foliage was beautiful in the Spring, the

interiors cool and drippy.  All but the horseshoe tunnel are short and do not require lights.

The tracks cross  Portifino Creek 47 times in about 10 miles.  It was hard not to take pictures at every trestle.

(4th Subdivision)

We put on at Rubens behind this grain silo.

Rock slides threaten many of the tunnel mouths.

Are these guys illiterate or what?   This bridge across the Clearwater River dates to the late l800s. Weight restrictions require trains to carrry empty cars immediately behind the locomotive.  This section is on the 3rd Subdivision.