Revision as of 16:15, 4 March 2014

Cottonwoods on the Sandy, Oxbow Regional Park (bobcat)

Roundhead mushroom (Stropharia sp.), Oxbow Regional Park (bobcat)

Sandy River and the buried forest, Oxbow Regional Park (bobcat)

Spawned out, Oxbow Regional Park (bobcat)

In the Ancient Forest, Oxbow Regional Park (bobcat)

Lollipop loop beginning at the north end of Oxbow Park (Use the park's brochure to navigate) (bobcat)

• Start point: Oxbow Bluff Trailhead
• End point: Gordon Creek Road Pullout
• Trail Log:
• Hike Type: In and out or loop
• Distance: 5.8 miles (in and out) or 3.8 miles (loop)
• Elevation gain: 400 feet
• High Point: 420 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Seasons: All
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: No

Hike Description

The undeveloped and forgotten wild side of Oxbow Regional Park lies north of the Sandy River and encompasses a high peninsula and cobbled Sandy River shores below a forested bluff. Access to the river is via an abandoned logging road. Fishermen's trails lead to the shoreline which alters each year when the Sandy rages after heavy rain or snowmelt. This is quiet place, suited to poking around, observing wildlife, and admiring the works of nature. There are few signs and no fee stations. The hike can be done as a loop using little-traveled Gordon Creek Road, or as an in and out if you want to stay away from rural traffic.

The access road curves down past the gate under cedars, Douglas-firs, and big-leaf maples. The understory is composed primarily of sword fern, snowberry, salmonberry, and Indian plum. You're on a 400-foot bluff above the Sandy with a view down through the trees of the river and across to the main section of Oxbow Regional Park. Pass a blackberry patch and stands of alders and then a second gate. The road continues to descend and makes a 180º turn as you descend to river level. A spur trail leads right to the river bank. The main trail heads left from a grassy clearing back into woods of Douglas-fir, cedar, and cottonwood. Pick up another spur leading right to a beach on the river and a cobbled bar. See fishermen wading into the river on the opposite bank. Head upriver along the beach and then across the bar to a cobbled overflow channel and loop back. A spur leads up the bank into the woods, where you pick up the main trail and head right.

This trail rises slightly on an old road bed and then drops again. The trail curves left into blackberries. A spur leads right to a bank above the river. Pass through a salmonberry/cottonwood bottomland before the trail heads up a muddy bank and reaches a bench above the river. You can see a raft launching site on the opposite bank. Eroded bluffs on the other side reveal the deep deposits of ash carried down from Mount Hood eruptions. Tree trunks stand vertically in the ash banks, exposed by river erosion. The trail passes across some soggy patches and drops. Gordon Creek Road is visible above. Carcasses of cars defile the steep brushy slopes. A spur leads right down to the river for fishing access: keep left up to a parking pullout on Gordon Creek Road.

Retrace your tracks from here or, to make a shorter loop out of it, head up from the Gorton Creek Road Pullout on the left side of the road, where there is enough of a shoulder. At the crest, turn down the Dead End road and take the gravel track back to your car.

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• Open 6:30 a.m. to sunset
• No facilities

Maps

• Oxbow Regional Park (Metro)
• Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge - West #428S

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for North Oxbow Hike

• An Oxbow Park Recliner Hike through the back door 06/23/13
• Oxbow Park (through the back door) 01/29/2012
• Oxbow Park, OR - nearby park for picnicing and camping

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for North Oxbow Hike

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain

More Links

• Oxbow Regional Park (Metro)

Contributors

• bobcat (creator)