As some of you know, SW Trails #6 to Downtown has been cut off for some time, as the link between the stairs at SW Vista and SW Mill St. Terrace was closed by the property owner. While SWHRL is still looking for a way to re-establish this particular link, another has arisen: the path that runs along SW 18th Ave. – the old cable car trestle right-of-way. Recent sewer work and landslide stabilization allowed SWHRL members to clear out brush and find nearly the entire path down to SW Montgomery; SW Trails and the city had this listed as an official route for Trail 6 in the 1980s, and indeed had an access across private property connecting SW Montgomery and SW Cable St. That connection was sadly never finished by the developer, the cable car trail fell into disuse, and the route down the Vista stairs became the new #6. SWHRL is working with SW Trails, Portland Bureau of transportation, and the Bureau of Environmental Services to rebuild the Cable Car Trail as soon as the landslide stabilization is complete. Older residents may recall it being a prime path to Downtown and Lincoln High; if so, please send us any reminiscences and photos.
Many sections of that path still exist, awaiting further brush clearing and maintenance to be put back in use.
