Peter

A Different Perspective

- Peter Hoffman -

I've ridden the Camas Prairie RR 2nd Subdivision many times, but always from the top down.  In October, with Lapwai Canyon in full color,

I chose to ride up the grade from Culdesac.

    It doesn't matter which way you ride on the 2nd sub, up, down, forward or backwards, there isn't a more beautiful or thrilling ride to be found anywhere.    From Ruebens high on the prairie

the 14 mile descent to Culdesac is almost always ridden from the top down.   But being by myself

and with no one to ferry me to the top, I decided to gain a different perspective, from the bottom up.  The grade is not demanding, the ride just takes a little longer.  On the Camas Prairie, that's not a negative.

Left, at the lower bridge across the highway

the Maples were spectacular.  After crossing

I dismounted for a view or the trestles across

the canyon.  Still about two miles by rail but only

200 yards as the crow flies, a high-rider was

parked while the crew removed rocks from the

tracks. One of the crew waved at me in what

appeared to be a friendly jester, but I took no

chances and headed back down the canyon.

Even the bushes in the lower

canyon wore a full pallet of

   color.  As well as my first

ride up the grade, it was my

first Autumn in the canyon.

Riding down the canyon I had not previously seen the spectacular setting at this trestle, but climbing the grade it was a glorious sight.

Riding up the grade

the peek-a-boo views

of the Half Moon trestle high above wet the appetite for what lies ahead.  In the center photo, the trestle shows as but a shadow on the canyon side.