Larch Mountain Road reopens ahead of schedule after repaving, repairs

Published 12:29 pm Thursday, October 12, 2023

By Christopher Keizur

Repairs being made to Larch Mountain Road, the highest road in Multnomah County's jurisdiction. Roads need a lot of work in Oregon counties, a new study said.

Craving unparalleled views of the Columbia River Gorge? Good news: the highest roadway in Multnomah County is back open, momentarily, before its annual snow shuttering.

After three months of construction, seven miles of East Larch Mountain Road have been successfully paved and repaired.

The work, completed ahead of schedule, means it’s open now until its regularly scheduled winter closure.

“East Larch Mountain Road has been in need of substantial improvements for many years,” said Sara Jeffrey, project manager. “There were potholes and areas of the road that seemed to be sinking from base failures. The vegetation was overgrowing over the sides of the roadway. This project has made this road safer for all road users.”

Larch Mountain Road east of Corbett is a spur off the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Larch Mountain gets heavy usage for its access to trails, and views of the Gorge and surrounding mountains. It is an improvement for hikers, motorists and cyclists.

The $5.1 million project, largely funded by the Federal Lands Access Program, repaired the road surface between mileposts 7 and 14, just east of Southeast Red Elder Drive. Guardrails were also replaced, and the road lines were restriped. The work was done by the Multnomah County Transportation Division.

“This infrastructure will make a tremendous difference and improve access to one of the beautiful scenic areas in our county,” said Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann.

Larch Mountain Road is the best way to access Sherrard Point Trail, Oneonta Trail, Larch Mountain Trail, Multnomah Spur Trail and Multnomah Creek Way Trail. There is also now access to the upper parking lot, which costs $5 to use, and allows for an easy walk to the viewpoint.

Previously the county thought the repairs and repaving would keep the roadway closed for all of 2023. Normally the snow gate goes down by late November.

For more info on county road projects, visit multco.us/roads.

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