Columbia Rail Trail
Bill Maloney
11/20/2004

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01ColumbiaTrailBridge 02Detour 03Detour The Green House 04Bridge 05RiverCrossing
Columbia Trail Bridge Detour Detour - The Green House One of the Bridges Rail Bridge
06SecondDetour 07SecondDetour 08SecondDetour 09TrailBeginsAgain 10StreamInCalifon
Second Detour Second Detour Second Detour Trail Begins Again Stream In Califon
11OldRailroadStation 12CrossingAnotherRiver 13TrailsEndClinton 14Waterfall 15Waterfall
Old Railroad Station River Crossing Columbia Trail's End High Bridge Waterfall near Clinton Waterfall

The Columbia Rail Trail

The Columbia Trail is a nice Rail Trail with little pedestrian or bike traffic. Mostly wooded with good shade. Between Claifon and High Bridge is a waterfall on the left. It's a hairy climb down with a big warning sign, but the view was quite spectacular. The only portable toilet I remember seeing was in the park at the end in High Bridge so if you want to ride it plan accordingly. You could probably get a sandwich and water in Califon, which is where I stopped for lunch.

This recreational path runs about 15 miles, with 2 on road detours. Head south until you reach a steel fabrication company. Turn around and make a left up a gravel road (this is someone's driveway so be courteous). Make a left on the main road and go for maybe 1/3 mile til you see a green house on the right after a bridge. The Columbia Trail begins again to the left of the house, although there may be cars parked on it. The next detour begins where you reach a road with a nursery across the street. Take a right and go about 1/2 mile to a 4 way intersection. Go left and continue 1/3 mile bearing left at the Y. The path begins again here. You could also pick it up at it's south end in High Bridge, or in Califon.

Take Rt. 80 to 206S. Take 206S to Flanders and go right on Bartley Rd. At the Y bear left, then at the next Y bear right. Keep an eye out, the Columbia starts on the right just after a sign for the trailhead. You'll pass a brick building on the right with a parking lot on the left a couple hundred feet before it (that is where I parked).

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