White fawn lilies (Erythronium oregonum), McCormick Park (bobcat)

Milton Creek flowing through McCormick Park (bobcat)

Chocolate lily (Fritillaria affinis), McCormick Park (bobcat)

Track of the hike on the perimeter of McCormick Park (bobcat) Courtesy: Gaia GPS

• Start point: McCormick Park Trailhead
• End point: a camas scabland (one side) and an ash swale (other side)
• Hike type: Short connected loops
• Distance: 2.3 miles
• Elevation gain: 50 feet
• High point: 95 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: All year
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: Yes

Hike Description

McCormick Park is the jewel of the St. Helens parks system, offering a amenities such as playing fields, a skate park, BMX track, picnic area, and playground. The park straddles Milton Creek, with a more natural area that hosts a disc golf course on the west side of the creek. A convoluted set of gravel trails, part of a fitness course, wind through remnant oak woods on the east side of the creek.

From the parking area, walk to the right of the restrooms past a former campground, and cross Milton Creek on a footbridge. For the first segment of the walk, head right here on a wide gravel trail. You’ll see disc golf tees and baskets in this section, with a rather confusing set of trails that serve them, so stay on the main trail. After passing a few oaks, with Milton Creek flowing to the right, you’ll enter Douglas-fir woods. Trillium, fawn lily, violet, fringe-cup, and Oregon grape bloom here in the spring. When you reach a bench and trail junction, continue to the left to complete a loop. The trail takes you up to a scabland where camas lilies bloom in mid-April. Invasive Scots broom has also colonized this open area. Complete the loop, and hike back to the footbridge over Milton Creek.

Don’t cross the bridge, but keep heading east to reach another footbridge over the creek right next to Old Portland Road. After you cross this bridge, drop down to the left, and then bear right at the Achilles Stretch station on the park’s fitness course. Keep left at the next junction to begin a series of short, convoluted loops on the fitness course. Stay left to enter oak woods near a playing field, and head left to cross a ditch. You’ll wind through more oaks where, here and there, daffodils will be blooming in early spring. Also keep your eyes open for chocolate lilies as you loop around. Staying left, cross the park entrance road, and then keep left below the BMX track to begin the last loop. This track circles around an ash swale and then heads back across the park road. Generally you’ll want to keep left on the return until you reach the Achilles Stretch station again. Go right here to reach the restrooms and parking area.

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• Open sunrise to sunset
• Dogs on leash
• Respect private property

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder
• McCormick Park Nature Path (The Outbound)
• City of St. Helens Parks & Trails (City of St. Helens)

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for McCormick Park Loop Hike

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for McCormick Park Loop Hike

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• none

More Links

• McCormick Park (City of St. Helens)
• McCormick Park Nature Path (All Trails)

Contributors

• bobcat (creator)