Groth-Norene Preserves Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Lucky Dog Park Trailhead
- End point: Groth Nature Preserve Trailhead
- Hike Type: Two connected loops
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 30 feet
- High point: 300 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
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Hike Description
Two small adjacent nature preserves, just west of Brush Prairie and donated to Clark County, protect a tiny remnant of the lowland forest that has mostly been converted into farmland in this area. The Loretta Norene Forest Preserve was donated in 1992 and the Groth Nature Preserve in 1997. The best and recommended access is to walk through the Lucky Dog Memorial Dog Park a.k.a. the Brush Prairie Off-leash Area. Once you leave the forest and reach pastures, views open up to Mount Hood and Silver Star Mountain just to the northeast.
Pass through the double gates into the dog park. (The road just to the west of the fence is actually a driveway and posted with No Trespassing signs.) For views of farm fields, Mount Hood, and Silver Star Mountain, head left to walk the perimeter of the off-leash area. At the southwest corner, another double gate allows you to access the trails in the Loretta Norene Forest Preserve. You’ll quickly enter a lush Douglas-fir/hemlock/cedar woodland with a sword fern carpet. Trillium, violet, fringe-cup, and waterleaf bloom here in the spring. To your right, you’ll see the entrance for the preserve, but it’s off the private driveway. Keep right to begin an anticlockwise loop and the trail will soon bear left. Stay on the main trail, and keep right at junctions until the trail angles back across the preserve.
You’ll come to a junction on the east side of the woodland, where you can head right (south) for about 100 yards. Then break off to the right for another loop (you’re now in the Groth Forest Preserve). The main trail swings left and exits the trees at a large sign. You can cross the open pasture, which also belongs to the county, and reach an old barbed wire fence, beyond which is 97th Avenue and the Groth Nature Preserve Trailhead.
Return across the field and head right, following the edge of the forest. The top of Mount Hood appears to the east. When you turn left under an oak tree, you’ll see the entire east-west ridgeline of Silver Star Mountain as well as Larch Mountain. The very top of Mount Saint Helens peaks above the hills. You can continue along the edge of the field or turn back into the forest to head north, ignoring trails leading left and right, until you reach the southwest corner of the off-leash area again.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations, fees, etc
- Open 7:00 a.m. to dusk
- Off-leash area at trailhead; dogs on leash in the nature preserves
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Groth-Norene Preserves
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Groth-Norene Preserves
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Urban Trails: Vancouver by Craig Romano
More Links
- Lauretta Norene and Groth Nature Preserve (Washington Trails Association)
- Groth/Norene Nature/Forest Preserve (Jim’s Trails)
- Loretta Norene Forest Preserve (Trail Forks)
- Groth Nature Preserve (maps123)
- “Park with no access vexes visitors, neighbors” (The Columbian)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)