Shadow Ridge-Sunrise Heights Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Francesca Lane Trailhead
- End Point: Sunrise Park Trailhead
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Elevation gain: 470 feet
- High Point: 695 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
Forested hills and pastures once characterized this area of Happy Valley, but the city has seen exponential growth towards its eastern borders, and rank upon rank of large, multi-story homes now cloak these heights. There are still slivers of nature to be found, however, and a number of trails and short connector paths, planned during the residential platting, allow for a combination of off- and on-street walking. This loop takes you down the West Fork of Rock Creek and then uses streets and paved trails, with views south to the Clackamas River valley and the heights above Oregon City, to loop back through Sunrise Heights.
Take the short paved trail that leads out to 152nd Drive. Go right on 152nd for about 40 yards, and find the chip path (the Shadow Ridge Trail) leading down to the West Fork of Rock Creek. This is an undulating trail along the south bank of the creek. Some restoration work has been done here, and there are plantings of native maples, hazel, alder, willow, and ponderosa pine. Tall Douglas-firs rear above. Paths lead off to the right into neighborhoods. Descend to the creek level under maples with a carpet of sword fern and Oregon grape. A path leads left to cross the creek and head up to Monner Road. Walk through an open area under powerlines and pass a bench. A rock wall lines the trail on one side, and soon you’ll notice small rock weirs on the creek. Near private property, the path rises to join a paved trail.
When you reach a sidewalk, go left for about 110 yards down Palermo Avenue, passing new homes. Cross Palermo and, at a green post, find a paved path leading uphill. The path crosses Chelsea Morning Drive, offering a view south towards the Clackamas River valley, and reaches a junction. Go left here, taking several sets of stairs down to cross 157th Avenue. Several more steps and a switchback deliver you to basketball hoops and a play area. When you reach Peace Court, walk out to Blackstone Avenue, and then go right to Misty Drive. Go left on Misty, and follow this road up, crossing 157th Avenue at Happy Valley’s City Hall. Keep going to cross 155th and, one house past this road, meet a paved trail. You can cross Misty here to get a view south, but after that walk north on the trail past a bollard. The path winds up a grassy expanse. After bearing right at a junction, keep straight at the next junction. When you reach Frye Street, go left, crossing Bari Avenue and Francesca Lane to reach 152nd Drive. Drop down 152nd for 60 yards, and go right on a concrete path that reaches Nia Drive. Walk down Nia, passing Natalya Street, to get another expansive view south across a pasture. Then return to Natalya; where Natalya bends to the right, you’ll pick up a trail that follows the powerline corridor at the Sunrise Park Trailhead
You can go left down the powerline corridor to get more views in an area that is seeing rapid construction and infill. Then return to Natalya, and follow the trail up the powerline corridor. Pass a play structure, and cross Antea Way. The trail then crosses Frye Street to get a magnificent view of Mount Hood and continues above a swale, with some more glimpses of Mount Hood here, to 152nd Drive. Cross 152nd at the pedestrian crossing here, and then go left on the sidewalk (don’t continue on the powerline trail). In about 70 yards, you’ll see another trail leading down behind back yards. Wind down above another fenced swale, and go left on Francesca Lane. Follow Francesca back to your vehicle.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Dogs on leash
- Respect private property
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Shadow Ridge Trail Map (Happy Valley Hikers)
- Happy Valley Parks and Trails Map (City of Happy Valley)
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Shadow Ridge-Sunrise Heights Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Shadow Ridge-Sunrise Heights Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- none
More Links
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)