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Water flume in calaveras county12/16/2023 ![]() ![]() Although the trail remains parallel to the rail line, it gets closer to the river and the scenery improves. After 0.15 miles along the tracks, and about 1/3 of a mile from the start, follow the trail as it bears right through some short brush, parting from the railroad tracks. Walk up a path along the west side of the train tracks. (While surrounding pipeline was removed, this stretch was probably left in place to avoid disturbing the rail line). You can even walk on top of this pipeline if you like, to get a taste of things to come. Cross a line of railroad tracks and bear left, bordering another section of pipeline between the tracks and the river. Spot the sealed end of a steel pipeline, which disappears into the ground as you go up a short slope alongside the pipe. ![]() Poison oak hides below blackberry brambles on the left. The wide and level dirt trail passes alongside a clearing below a wooded slope. Overlook the paths wandering north toward a trestle bridge across the Hood River and begin on the established trail. Half a mile from Interstate 84, find a short, old road dropping from Highway 35 to a trailhead parking area beside the now defunct Powerdale Substation. Also intact is a catwalk going across the top of the pipeline, previously used to service the flowline for the substation, but now maintained just for public enjoyment. Fortunately, about 2/3 of a mile of the pipeline remain in place, including a bridge across Hood River. About half a mile of the pipe was removed to restore the area, and flooding wiped out other stretches of the pipeline. More recently, the dam and powerhouse were decommissioned. For much of the 20th century, Powerdale Dam regulated the flow of the river and delivered water, via a long pipeline, to the Powerdale Substation, where hydroelectric energy was produced for the city of Hood River. ![]()
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