Difference between revisions of "Maple-Wildwood Loop Hike"
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[[Category:Hikes]] | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:MapleWildwoodLoop4.jpg|thumb|400px|Vine maple thicket, Wildwood Trail ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:MapleWildwoodLoop1.jpg|thumb|250px|Footbridge on the Maple Trail ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:MapleWildwoodLoop2.jpg|thumb|250px|6 1/4 mile marker, Leif Erikson Drive ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:MapleWildwoodLoop3.jpg|thumb|250px|Alders in winter, Wildwood Trail ''(bobcat)'']] |
| − | [[Image:MapleWildwoodLoopMap1.png|thumb|400px|The loop using the Maple and Wildwood Trails ( | + | [[Image:MapleWildwoodLoop5.jpg|thumb|250px|Big Douglas-fir near Munger Creek, Wildwood Trail ''(bobcat)'']] |
| + | [[Image:MapleWildwoodLoopMap1.png|thumb|400px|The loop using the Maple and Wildwood Trails (not a GPS track) ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: ''Portland Parks & Recreation'']] | ||
{{Start point|Lower Salzman Road Trailhead}} | {{Start point|Lower Salzman Road Trailhead}} | ||
| − | * End point: [[ | + | * End point: [[Munger Creek Big Trees]] |
| − | + | ||
* Hike Type: Loop | * Hike Type: Loop | ||
{{Distance|8.4 miles}} | {{Distance|8.4 miles}} | ||
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | It is rare to find seclusion in Forest Park, but these leafy slopes are wonderful escape for those who cannot spare the drive time to get out of town on a busy day. The loop described here takes in a good portion of the central part of the park and some of its biggest trees, the gnarly old Douglas-firs in the upper reaches of | + | <b><font color=red>Note: The Wildwood Trail is closed between the Koenig and Cleator Trails. The detour uses these short trails to connect to Leif Erikson Drive. In addition (2024), the Maple Trail is closed between the Koenig Trail and Firelane 4 because of a damaged bridge. Use these trails to make a detour to Leif Erikson Drive.</font color></b> |
| + | |||
| + | It is rare to find seclusion in Forest Park, but these leafy slopes are wonderful escape for those who cannot spare the drive time to get out of town on a busy day. The loop described here takes in a good portion of the central part of the park and some of its biggest trees, the gnarly old Douglas-firs in the upper reaches of Munger Creek, a tributary of Rocking Chair Creek. You will use the Wildwood Trail and also hike the whole of the Maple Trail, Forest Park’s longest foot trail – 3 ½ miles - after the Wildwood. | ||
It’s worth walking back from the gate on Salzman Road, if you manage to park close to it, to get the only expansive view of the day: across the area of Doane Lake and the Doane Point railroad bridge to [[Mount Saint Helens]], [[Mount Rainier]], and [[Mount Adams]] on the skyline. | It’s worth walking back from the gate on Salzman Road, if you manage to park close to it, to get the only expansive view of the day: across the area of Doane Lake and the Doane Point railroad bridge to [[Mount Saint Helens]], [[Mount Rainier]], and [[Mount Adams]] on the skyline. | ||
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Go left on Leif Erikson and pass the 6 ¼ milepost. Reach the [[Leif Erikson Drive-Salzman Road Junction]] after passing through a rusty gate above a wide landing with a picnic table. Make an immediate and sharp right here and hike half a mile up the hill on Salzman Road. Reach the [[Wildwood Trail-Salzman Road Junction]] near the Wildwood’s halfway point (16 miles), and go left on the foot trail (There’s one of those helpful Forest Park map signs here), and walk up a slope; then make a level traverse. | Go left on Leif Erikson and pass the 6 ¼ milepost. Reach the [[Leif Erikson Drive-Salzman Road Junction]] after passing through a rusty gate above a wide landing with a picnic table. Make an immediate and sharp right here and hike half a mile up the hill on Salzman Road. Reach the [[Wildwood Trail-Salzman Road Junction]] near the Wildwood’s halfway point (16 miles), and go left on the foot trail (There’s one of those helpful Forest Park map signs here), and walk up a slope; then make a level traverse. | ||
| − | Hike around the nose of a ridge through a sword fern carpet and pass the junction with the Cleator Trail. Drop gradually now, passing under powerlines and then in and out of three alder-shaded gullies. Descend a little more noticeably into a deep gully and cross a footbridge over | + | Hike around the nose of a ridge through a sword fern carpet and pass the junction with the [[Wildwood-Cleator Trail Junction|Cleator Trail]]. Drop gradually now, passing under powerlines and then in and out of three alder-shaded gullies. Descend a little more noticeably into a deep gully and cross a footbridge over Salzman Creek at the 14 ½ mile marker on the Wildwood before traversing up. Pass the junction with the Koenig Trail on a ridge crest and keep ascending. Wind through a large grove of red alder, cross a seasonal stream, and traverse in and out of gullies. Notice some larger Douglas-firs in the forest as you cross Firelane 3 and switchback down to the junction, in a vine maple thicket, with a short tie trail that leads to the Maple Trail. You could cut your hike short by going down this cutoff, but then you would miss the [[Munger Creek Big Trees]], so continue along the Wildwood Trail into the first of two gullies that feed Munger Creek. Before crossing the first stream, you’ll pass one of the largest and oldest Douglas-firs in the park, about six feet in diameter. Hike up and enter the second gulch and pass at least two more huge Douglas-firs heading out of that gully. Reach the [[Wildwood-Maple Trail Junction]] at another large Douglas-fir, and go left. |
| − | The Maple Trail heads down the slope past a tall, straight grand fir in a thick carpet of Oregon grape. Switchback down twice to cross | + | The Maple Trail heads down the slope past a tall, straight grand fir in a thick carpet of Oregon grape. Switchback down twice to cross Munger Creek below the old growth gullies and make two switchbacks up. Pass the junction with the Maple Tie Trail and make a level traverse. Reach the [[Leif Erikson Drive-Maple Trail-Firelane 3 Junction]], and resume the Maple Trail past some large logs on the other side of Leif Erikson Drive. |
| − | + | Switchback down and make a traverse to a footbridge over a creek. Reach the junction with the Koenig Trail. Continue on the Maple Trail, descending to cross Salzman Creek, and then traversing up the and then leveling to hike a gentle slope through vine maple/hazel thickets. Cross under the powerlines in a dense thimbleberry thicket and reach Firelane 4. If you don't want to finish the Maple Trail, you can take a shortcut directly down Firelane 4 to the trailhead from here. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | Switchback down and make a traverse to a footbridge over a creek. Reach the junction with the Koenig Trail | + | |
Continuing on the Maple Trail, pass above a bowl shaded by moss and licorice fern-draped maple and alders before dropping to the [[Salzman Road-Maple Trail Junction]]. Go right here to return to your car. | Continuing on the Maple Trail, pass above a bowl shaded by moss and licorice fern-draped maple and alders before dropping to the [[Salzman Road-Maple Trail Junction]]. Go right here to return to your car. | ||
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=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
| + | {{Hikemaps|latitude=45.5533|longitude=-122.7634}} | ||
* [http://www.pdxparks.org/maps/natural_areas/forest_park_trail_map_070711.pdf Forest Park Topo Trail Map (Portland Parks & Recreation)] | * [http://www.pdxparks.org/maps/natural_areas/forest_park_trail_map_070711.pdf Forest Park Topo Trail Map (Portland Parks & Recreation)] | ||
| − | * [ | + | * [https://www.portland.gov/documents/forest-park-trails-printable-mappdf/download Forest Park (Portland Parks & Recreation)] |
* Green Trails Maps: ''Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum, Washington Park #426S'' | * Green Trails Maps: ''Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum, Washington Park #426S'' | ||
* Forest Park Conservancy: ''Trail Map and Visitor's Guide to Forest Park'' | * Forest Park Conservancy: ''Trail Map and Visitor's Guide to Forest Park'' | ||
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{{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}} | {{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
| + | * [https://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=24979 Four Ski Interludes, Part IV: Skiing Forest Park] | ||
* [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20453 Maple-Wildwood Loop (Forest Park)] | * [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=20453 Maple-Wildwood Loop (Forest Park)] | ||
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=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
| − | + | Some of the guidebooks below offer partial descriptions of the loop: | |
| + | |||
* ''Hiking & Running Guide to Forest Park'' by Friends of Forest Park (full loop) | * ''Hiking & Running Guide to Forest Park'' by Friends of Forest Park (full loop) | ||
| + | * ''Forest Park: Exploring Portland's Natural Sanctuary'' by Marcy Cottrell Houle | ||
* ''One City's Wilderness: Portland's Forest Park'' by Marcy Cottrell Houle | * ''One City's Wilderness: Portland's Forest Park'' by Marcy Cottrell Houle | ||
| + | * ''Urban Trails: Portland'' by Eli Boschetto | ||
* ''Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain | * ''Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain | ||
| − | * ''100 Hikes | + | * ''100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon'' by William L. Sullivan |
* ''Portland Forest Hikes'' by James D. Thayer | * ''Portland Forest Hikes'' by James D. Thayer | ||
* ''Best Hikes Near Portland'' by Fred Barstad | * ''Best Hikes Near Portland'' by Fred Barstad | ||
* ''100 Oregon Hiking Trails'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | * ''100 Oregon Hiking Trails'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
| + | * ''Best Trail Runs: Portland, Oregon'' by Adam W. Chase, Nancy Hobbs, and Yassine Dibboun | ||
* ''Best Hikes With Dogs: Oregon'' by Ellen Morris Bishop | * ''Best Hikes With Dogs: Oregon'' by Ellen Morris Bishop | ||
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* [http://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/hiking-backpacking/forest-park-maple-trail Forest Park, Maple Trail, OR (Outdoor Project)] | * [http://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/hiking-backpacking/forest-park-maple-trail Forest Park, Maple Trail, OR (Outdoor Project)] | ||
* [http://www.oregonhiking.com/oregon-adventures/100-hikes-in-northwest-oregon-and-southwest-washington/portland-area-hikes/maple-trail-hike Maple Trail (Oregon Adventures)] | * [http://www.oregonhiking.com/oregon-adventures/100-hikes-in-northwest-oregon-and-southwest-washington/portland-area-hikes/maple-trail-hike Maple Trail (Oregon Adventures)] | ||
| + | * [https://www.trailkeepersoforegon.org/hikes-of-the-season-colorful-fall-destinations-in-portland/ Hikes of the Season: Colorful Fall Destinations in Portland (Trailkeepers of Oregon)] | ||
* [https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=ViewPark&PropertyID=127 Forest Park (Portland Parks & Recreation)] | * [https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=ViewPark&PropertyID=127 Forest Park (Portland Parks & Recreation)] | ||
* [http://www.forestparkconservancy.org/forest-park/maps/ The Forest Park Conservancy] | * [http://www.forestparkconservancy.org/forest-park/maps/ The Forest Park Conservancy] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:25, 25 March 2024
- Start point: Lower Salzman Road Trailhead
- End point: Munger Creek Big Trees
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 8.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 1080 feet
- High Point: 900 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: For older kids
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
Note: The Wildwood Trail is closed between the Koenig and Cleator Trails. The detour uses these short trails to connect to Leif Erikson Drive. In addition (2024), the Maple Trail is closed between the Koenig Trail and Firelane 4 because of a damaged bridge. Use these trails to make a detour to Leif Erikson Drive.
It is rare to find seclusion in Forest Park, but these leafy slopes are wonderful escape for those who cannot spare the drive time to get out of town on a busy day. The loop described here takes in a good portion of the central part of the park and some of its biggest trees, the gnarly old Douglas-firs in the upper reaches of Munger Creek, a tributary of Rocking Chair Creek. You will use the Wildwood Trail and also hike the whole of the Maple Trail, Forest Park’s longest foot trail – 3 ½ miles - after the Wildwood.
It’s worth walking back from the gate on Salzman Road, if you manage to park close to it, to get the only expansive view of the day: across the area of Doane Lake and the Doane Point railroad bridge to Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, and Mount Adams on the skyline.
Then hike up Salzman Road under a leafy canopy of big-leaf maple, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and western red-cedar. The maple leaves should be thick on the ground from mid-fall. Reach the Salzman Road-Maple Trail Junction, and descend off the road to your right. Traverse above a gully and pass a large Douglas-fir before crossing a footbridge and rising up and around a hillside. Note the old pipe posts that were jammed in the ground to stabilize the trail. Hike in and out of gullies in an understory of vine maple, thimbleberry, sword fern, and Oregon grape. Pass the junction with the Quarry Trail and make a level traverse. The trail drops to cross a wide gully before rising to the Leif Erikson Drive-Maple Trail Junction.
Go left on Leif Erikson and pass the 6 ¼ milepost. Reach the Leif Erikson Drive-Salzman Road Junction after passing through a rusty gate above a wide landing with a picnic table. Make an immediate and sharp right here and hike half a mile up the hill on Salzman Road. Reach the Wildwood Trail-Salzman Road Junction near the Wildwood’s halfway point (16 miles), and go left on the foot trail (There’s one of those helpful Forest Park map signs here), and walk up a slope; then make a level traverse.
Hike around the nose of a ridge through a sword fern carpet and pass the junction with the Cleator Trail. Drop gradually now, passing under powerlines and then in and out of three alder-shaded gullies. Descend a little more noticeably into a deep gully and cross a footbridge over Salzman Creek at the 14 ½ mile marker on the Wildwood before traversing up. Pass the junction with the Koenig Trail on a ridge crest and keep ascending. Wind through a large grove of red alder, cross a seasonal stream, and traverse in and out of gullies. Notice some larger Douglas-firs in the forest as you cross Firelane 3 and switchback down to the junction, in a vine maple thicket, with a short tie trail that leads to the Maple Trail. You could cut your hike short by going down this cutoff, but then you would miss the Munger Creek Big Trees, so continue along the Wildwood Trail into the first of two gullies that feed Munger Creek. Before crossing the first stream, you’ll pass one of the largest and oldest Douglas-firs in the park, about six feet in diameter. Hike up and enter the second gulch and pass at least two more huge Douglas-firs heading out of that gully. Reach the Wildwood-Maple Trail Junction at another large Douglas-fir, and go left.
The Maple Trail heads down the slope past a tall, straight grand fir in a thick carpet of Oregon grape. Switchback down twice to cross Munger Creek below the old growth gullies and make two switchbacks up. Pass the junction with the Maple Tie Trail and make a level traverse. Reach the Leif Erikson Drive-Maple Trail-Firelane 3 Junction, and resume the Maple Trail past some large logs on the other side of Leif Erikson Drive.
Switchback down and make a traverse to a footbridge over a creek. Reach the junction with the Koenig Trail. Continue on the Maple Trail, descending to cross Salzman Creek, and then traversing up the and then leveling to hike a gentle slope through vine maple/hazel thickets. Cross under the powerlines in a dense thimbleberry thicket and reach Firelane 4. If you don't want to finish the Maple Trail, you can take a shortcut directly down Firelane 4 to the trailhead from here.
Continuing on the Maple Trail, pass above a bowl shaded by moss and licorice fern-draped maple and alders before dropping to the Salzman Road-Maple Trail Junction. Go right here to return to your car.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Dogs on leash
- Share Salzman Road and Leif Erikson Drive with mountain bikers
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Forest Park Topo Trail Map (Portland Parks & Recreation)
- Forest Park (Portland Parks & Recreation)
- Green Trails Maps: Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum, Washington Park #426S
- Forest Park Conservancy: Trail Map and Visitor's Guide to Forest Park
- Friends of Forest Park: Hiking & Running Guide to Forest Park
- Northwest Portland Bike/Walk Map (Portland Bureau of Transportation)
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Maple-Wildwood Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Maple-Wildwood Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
Some of the guidebooks below offer partial descriptions of the loop:
- Hiking & Running Guide to Forest Park by Friends of Forest Park (full loop)
- Forest Park: Exploring Portland's Natural Sanctuary by Marcy Cottrell Houle
- One City's Wilderness: Portland's Forest Park by Marcy Cottrell Houle
- Urban Trails: Portland by Eli Boschetto
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- 100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- Portland Forest Hikes by James D. Thayer
- Best Hikes Near Portland by Fred Barstad
- 100 Oregon Hiking Trails by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Best Trail Runs: Portland, Oregon by Adam W. Chase, Nancy Hobbs, and Yassine Dibboun
- Best Hikes With Dogs: Oregon by Ellen Morris Bishop
More Links
- “Hiking Forest Park’s Maple Trail (Examiner.com)
- Forest Park, Maple Trail, OR (Outdoor Project)
- Maple Trail (Oregon Adventures)
- Hikes of the Season: Colorful Fall Destinations in Portland (Trailkeepers of Oregon)
- Forest Park (Portland Parks & Recreation)
- The Forest Park Conservancy
- Forest Park (Portland, Oregon) (Wikipedia)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)