The Salmon River Trail once began near the community of Welches, but when a road was built up the canyon to begin logging operations in the 1960s, the trail was truncated. Sections of the lower trail still parallel the road, and are described in the Old Salmon River Hike.
Because the Salmon River Road parallels the Old Salmon River Trail for its entire length, there are actually five separate, signed trailheads with parking that, combined, serve as the trailheads for the Old Salmon River Trail. Some of these have port-a-potties, and water is available at the nearby Green Canyon Campground.
This string of trailheads is described in the narrative for the Old Salmon River Hike, and denoted as Trailheads A through E on the map below, and in photos on this page. These are not official Forest Service designations, however, and are only intended to help you navigate a somewhat confusing series of trail access points in this area..
Drive Highway 26 east through Sandy.
From the last traffic light in Sandy, drive 16.8 miles to Zigzag, and turn right onto E. Salmon River Road.
Drive 2.7 miles on Salmon River Road and pull off to the right at the first trailhead for the Old Salmon River Trail, marked on the map as Trailhead A.
Other trailheads follow as you continue on the road. Some of these have port-a-potties and require a Northwest Forest Pass as well.