Difference between revisions of "Pathfinder Genesis Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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{{Start point|Woodard Park Trailhead}} | {{Start point|Woodard Park Trailhead}} | ||
* End Point: [[St. Anthony Cemetery]] | * End Point: [[St. Anthony Cemetery]] | ||
| − | * Hike Type: | + | * Hike Type: Lollipop loop |
{{Distance|3.5 miles}} | {{Distance|3.5 miles}} | ||
{{Elevation Gain|185 feet}} | {{Elevation Gain|185 feet}} | ||
Revision as of 03:13, 31 March 2020
- Start point: Woodard Park Trailhead
- End Point: St. Anthony Cemetery
- Hike Type: Lollipop loop
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 185 feet
- High Point: 320 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
A neighborhood trail of various styles (paved, boardwalks, unpaved) takes you up the quiet drainage of Derry Dell Creek, beginning with expertly restored wetlands in Tigard’s Woodard Park. When you reach Gaarde Street, there’s a full-on view of Mount Hood and then you can loop back to the Pathfinder Genesis Trail via St. Anthony Cemetery and short pathways between suburban streets. The boardwalk across Derry Dell Wetlands in Woodard Park is universal access.
From the small parking area in Woodard Park, take the paved Fanno Creek Trail under magnificent spreading oaks past a playground. The path soon enters a mature wood of ponderosa pines and oaks and then winds across oak-shaded lawns to cross Fanno Creek on a footbridge and reach Johnson Street. Make a right on Johnson Street, and follow it past Johnson Court to a dead end and the beginning of the raised boardwalk over the Derry Dell Wetlands. Tall cottonwoods rustle on the fringes of the marsh, and plantings of alder, red osier dogwood, snowberry, and spiraea have enhanced this once neglected lot. Make a left at the junction in the boardwalk, and walk on a paved trail up to Walnut Street past willows and an oak. Look for the beaver lodge and dam in the pond to your right.
Cross Walnut, and take Pathfinder Court almost immediately across. At a cul-de-sac, a red and white post marks the trail where it descends to a pond frequented by mallards and teals (Look out also for colorful wood ducks here). When you arrive at the cul-de-sac for Pathfinder Way, walk up the sidewalk and cross 107th Court to find the trail leading into tall cottonwoods on your left. Now, you’ll be following Derry Dell Creek in a dense thicket of salmonberry, dogwood, and planted cedars under a canopy of red alder. When you arrive at a four-way trail junction, keep straight (You will be returning from the left to complete the lollipop loop).
The trail continues to gradually ascend the creek valley behind landscaped back yards and crosses Genesis Loop. Redwoods are a feature of some of the yards here. Cross 115th Avenue, and resume a narrower, unpaved trail that crosses a short boardwalk. Nesting boxes are attached to the alders. Pass across the creek on a footbridge, and rise to 118th Court, where you’ll walk to the left to come to Gaarde Street.
Turn left on Gaarde, and keep to the sidewalk to get a great view straight ahead of Mount Hood. In about a block, you can enter the gate of St. Anthony Cemetery, established in 1890, and follow the cemetery road around to 115th Avenue. Walk north on 115th, and after passing Fairview Lane, turn right on Fairhaven Street. At the end of Fairhaven, a trail descends steps to a junction, where you’ll make a left to follow a bubbling tributary of Derry Dell Creek to reach Eden Court. Go right, and on the left side of the cul-de-sac, take the short connector down to cross Derry Dell Creek and meet the Pathfinder Genesis Trail. Make a right to return to Woodard Park.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Dogs on leash
- Respect private property
Maps
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Pathfinder Genesis Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Pathfinder Genesis Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- none
More Links
- Trails in Tigard (City of Tigard)
- Pathfinder Genesis Trail (Trails.com)
- Derry Dell Creek Restoration (ESA)
- Tigard Greenways Trail System Master Plan (City of Tigard)
- St. Anthony Cemetery (St. Anthony Catholic Church & School)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)