Wilderness Park to Camassia Nature Preserve

If you are short on time but would like to take a walk through an old-growth forest up to a savanna, consider a 30 minute drive to West Linn. Wilderness Park and Camassia are located behind West Linn High School and both areas provide wonderful and unique hiking trails.

We began our hike at Wilderness Park. There were 2 trailheads to choose from so we chose the one on the left side of the parking lot heading up into the forest.

Immediately, we found ourselves walking among the fir giants.

About 1/2 mile in we came to a large clearing where obvious logging happened. The kids enjoyed jumping from tree to tree.

Stairs are neatly carved into the trail for ascents and descents. 

After a 2 mile loop in Wilderness Park, we entered Camassia Nature Preserve. It's one of my new favorite spots. It's like stepping into another world. I'll be returning with a wine and cheese basket for a sunset picnic in the spring. The wooden boardwalk begins in a hardwood forest of Oregon white oaks. 

We ventured onto an offshoot trail in search of the pond and frogs.

Unfortunately, the pond was completely dried up so we made use of the clearing for a quiet lunch spot. I was surprised there no funky smells from where a pond used to be. 

Although we decided to drive from Wilderness Park to Camassia due to time constraints, there is a connecting trail between the two. 

When continuing on the boardwalk trail loop you are suddenly thrust into a savanna complete with large rock formations. It is a most beautiful and unique spot. 

The savanna was alive with the chorus of thousands of crickets. We stopped for a good 10 minutes just to listen to their chirping.

Mt. Hood as seen from the top of Camassia.

Probably the most unique and delightful find was the madrone forest. It's a native tree although I've rarely seen them on my Oregon hikes. I grew up hiking among them in the Lake Tahoe area. They have a peely bark revealing the smoothest cinnamon interior layer.

I highly recommend both areas. Wilderness Park offers a true hike with elevation gain, roots, stairs and tall trees while Camassia is good for all ages and skill levels primarily on a wooden boardwalk. Who knew such a gem was found right behind West Linn High School!

Hogan Butte

Dubbed "Gresham's crown jewel", Hogan Butte is Gresham's newest park. It's at the end of Gabbert Road, tucked away in an upscale subdivision. There are two parking options. The first option is to park at the bottom of the hill just inside the gate. There are 27 spaces but no operating bathrooms as of yet. The climb to the top of the hill along the road is short but pretty steep. The kids were winded by the time we reached the summit with another bathroom and drinking fountains that aren't in service yet. There are a few parking spots at the top for handicapped vehicles.

While there is currently only 1/2 mile paved trail, it's the views that are worth coming here for. The park sits on 46 acres and at the top elevation of 930 feet, you can see stunning panoramic views of Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and the Columbia River Gorge. 

We came on a clear day and were treated to the awe-inspiring peaks of the Cascades that we never tire of seeing. 

As you walk up to the viewing area, Mt. Hood begins to emerge from the forest.

Once at the top of the butte there is a wonderful viewing area with information about the history of the butte and markers indicating the location and statistics of all the peaks. 

It was the first time our guest, Ali, saw Mt. Adams from Gresham!

All in all, it was a lovely walk on a warm fall day. Hogan Butte may be Powell Butte's infant sister but the potential to be queen one day is there. 

Graham Oaks Nature Park

Hike #3: Graham Oaks Nature Park

pg. 29 "Wild In the City"

These 250 acres located in Wilsonville were once meant to be a landfill until Metro bought the land and created a nature park with a good trail system that meanders through woods, prairies and wetlands.

The trailhead begins at the parking lot. There is a large acorn sculpture, dubbed Acorn Plaza, to remind you of the many oaks throughout the park. This is where we began our 3 mile loop.

The main Tonquin Trail is entirely paved but several offshoot trails, like the Coyote Way Trail, are wooded or gravel.

The kids found several friendly garter snakes.

The Oak Woodland Walk trail was appropriately named. 

 Many spring flowers were in bloom, particularly a stunning field of daffodils.

A refreshing spot with a bench under a weeping willow tree reminded the kids of a scene from the movie "The Help". Very Southern.

A bird blind on the Tonquin Trail is also a spot to view many critters such as frogs, turtles and lizards in addition to the song birds we heard.

The end of the trail led us to a stately oak said to be 200 years old.

Hike #2: Deep Creek Canyon and the Cazadero Trail

This has been a hard winter. Days on end of cold rain, dreary skies and blustery winds have kept us off the trails. But not today. We committed to get on a path rain or shine and, lucky for us, it was dry the entire way.

The Cazadero Trail begins at the corner of Highway 212 and SE Richey Road (behind the Shell Station) in Boring, Oregon.

Once the old Oregon Water Power and Railway Company rail line, the trail is now a gravel path that follows the North Fork Deep Creek 2.8 miles to Barton. (5.6 miles RT)

 Due to heavy rains, the creek was full and moving swiftly. The older boys scared me half to death by getting so close to the edge. I was sure they'd slip and be swept away by the rushing current but they were safe enough. *gulp*

Despite the brown mud, the creek was lovely, particularly accented with bright green moss-covered trees.

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Jared had eagle eyes and spotted a salamander!

He also found a rock that he thought resembled a saddle.

We heard many song birds as the trail was perfectly quiet. No traffic noise at all. I read that the trail can be crowded with bicycles but we were the only people on the trail today.

We thoroughly enjoyed discovering this gem of a trail in our own backyard- only 15 minutes from our home. The lush ferns, towering trees and rushing creek were just what we needed to fill our senses today.

pg 223, Wild In the City

Hike #1: Canemah Bluff, Oregon City

The weather report predicted a winter snow storm was going to blast our area. And boy did it ever! Luckily, the kids and I were able to squeeze a nice 3 mile hike in at Canemah Bluff- a system of trails high above Willamette Falls in Oregon City- before it hit. 

The Clackamas Chinook Village of Canemah was a site of Native American canoe portage around Willamette Falls. Pioneer settlers arrived in the mid 1800's and the town of Canemah was officially platted in 1849. The first public school in Canemah was built on this site and by the early 1900's, Canemah had become a residential community for mill workers, wealthy tradesmen and sea captains.

The trail head begins at a nice park with 2 playgrounds for kids. Restroom facilities are here, although they were closed for the winter.

To find the trail head, walk past the restrooms at the park and along the fenced area above the river for nice views across to West Linn. Friends joined us for this hike, making it all the better! 

You will come to a wide path with a sign indicating "Canemah Bluff Natural Area." Enter here into a land of Douglas firs, oaks and madrones. 

On the path about .5 miles in, you will come to the fenced Canemah Pioneer Cemetary, dating back to 1864. Canemah was founded by Absalom Hedges, who built a steamboat to ply the river above Willamette Falls. The tombstones of the Hedges and other pioneer families are found here. 

Continuing around the cemetery, we came upon an eerie pond. Had there not been so much mud from a previous storm, I would've let the kids explore the pond more.

Somehow, we got off trail and had to maneuver down the hillside back to the main trail.  Although I hate getting "lost", carving out our own path was the highlight of the trip for my adventurous boys.

But we found the main trail and all was well. We hiked back to the park and ended our walk with snacks. 

Location: Canemah City Park, 914 4th Ave, Oregon City, OR

Fees and regulations: Open dawn to dusk, No fees, No dogs or bikes

Hiking difficulty: Moderate

A New Book = A New Adventure!!

A new year brings with it a new challenge! My kids and I are excited and ready to embark on a new outdoor journey! As an avid hiking family, we have explored waterfalls to wildernesses over the years; However, we live in an urban wonderland as well. We plan to visit every single park, greenspace and natural area within city limits highlighted in this book as part of our homeschooling. History, scenery, exercise- what a great way to learn. We look forward to sharing our adventures with you. 

Happy trails!