Commonwealth Lake Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Butner Road Trailhead
- End Point: Foothills Park
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 1.7 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 75 feet
- High Point: 260 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Sometimes
Contents |
Description
This park is an oasis of tranquillity just off busy Highway 26. Many waterfowl congregate here in the winter (See the link under the "Maps" subheading below for a map of the park).
From the trailhead, head down to the lake on a paved trail across a lawn. Go right and follow the trail around the willow (yellow twigs in winter) and red-osier dogwood (red twigs) lined shore. There’a a viewing platform here and Johnson Creek flows along a ditch to the right through a wetland. A great blue heron might be poised patiently at the shoreline. In winter, there are waterfowl galore on the lake itself: domestic ducks and geese, many hybrids, mallards, wigeons, coots, and buffleheads. Pass some oak trees and cross the outlet from the lake to the creek on a footbridge. There's a playground and soccer field at the western end of the lake. Now head back along the south shore. Homes line the park lawns to the right. Come to a large viewing platform with a bird identification chart. Go over a creek and head up a paved path to Huntington Avenue.
To extend the walk, cross the street and find a path leading into Foothills Park on the north side of Foothills Creek. There’s a port-a-potty by the street here. Walk under a large oak. Alders, willows, blackberry, and Douglas-firs form a thicket. Head across a basketball court and enter Douglas-fir woods. Non-native ivy, laurel and holly also find a home here. Come out in an open area on a barkchip path and take a paved right-of-way between homes to Alcott Avenue. To make a loop on residential streets, go right to Foothill Drive, turn right here and walk along a very suburban street. At the next junction, go right and swing above Foothills Park until you reach Huntington. Go right and then left down into Commonwealth Lake Park. Pass a spring on the right, cross a footbridge over a slimy creek, and head back to parking.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Keep dogs on leash
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Commonwealth Lake and Foothills Park Trails (Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District)
- Nature and Trails Map (Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District)
- Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District: Trails
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Commonwealth Lake Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Commonwealth Lake Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
Wild in the City: Exploring the Intertwine edited by Michael C. Houck and M.J. Cody
More Links
- Commonwealth Lake Park (Portland Family Adventures)
- Commonwealth Lake Park (Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District)
- Foothills Park (Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)