From the cache location if you look south and west you can see an old steel trestle crossing over Elk Creek parallel to the highway. This is the old Cazadero Line of the Portland Railway Light and Power (Ancestor to current PGE). This line was built by the Oregon Water and Power Railway to build the hydroelectric dams on the Clackamas River in Estacada and Cazadero. Since the company was to generate power, the railway was electrified. It thus started electric Interurban passenger service betwenn Cazadero/Estacada and Portland Oregon. Once could say that the modern Tri-Met Bus Line #30 is an ancestor to this old electric railway.
The electric railway opened up Estacada and Cazadero to weekend day trippers and vacationers to the area. The area basically became a resort. Those who wanted to enjoy the great outdoors along the Clackamas River. People continue to do so today, but they drive their own cars, SUV's and trucks instead.
The last electric trains ran in the 1930's sadly. The Elk Creek Trestle here was considered one of the highest pile trestle in the world at 95 feet when it was opened.
Oregon State Parks is slowly converting the old interurban line into a trail, which starts just north of here. Maybe they might consider extending the trail over the bridge, wouldn't that be great!!
Enjoy the history here and think what once was...