Difference between revisions of "Wapato Greenway Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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* [http://audubonportland.org/local-birding/iba/iba-map/wapato Wapato State Access Area (Audubon Society of Portland)] | * [http://audubonportland.org/local-birding/iba/iba-map/wapato Wapato State Access Area (Audubon Society of Portland)] | ||
Revision as of 02:35, 24 March 2015
- Start point: Wapato Access Trailhead
- End point: Virginia Lake North Pond
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 40 feet
- High Point: 45 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This loop trail, a great family stroll, leads around a seasonal lake along the Multnomah Channel and under tall cottonwoods. The area is part of the Wapato Access Greenway State Park, which absolves you of the need for a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking permit. Waterfowl congregate on the lake and you will almost certainly see signs of beaver activity. Bring binoculars!
Hike past a gate and up a maintenance road past the entrance sign. To the right are dense woods with big-leaf maples and Douglas-firs as well as hazel and lots of Armenian blackberry. To the left is a meadow blooming with cow vetch in the spring. Reach a picnic shelter and keep left here under ash and cottonwood trees. A spur trail leads right to a viewing platform over Virginia Lake, which exhibits itself as a grassy expanse with a pond in the middle from mid-spring through fall. Look for the arrow-shaped leaves of wapato, or broad-leaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), which blooms here in late summer. The roots of this plant were a staple of Native Americans who lived in the Columbia and Willamette River floodplains (In Europe, a similar species to this is called katniss, she of Hunger Games notoriety). Continuing on the main trail, hike down a vehicle track with thickets of willow, hawthorn, blackberry and hazel on both sides. A spur right leads to a blind from which you can see little as it is shielded by young cottonwoods. Pass a view of the pond and head back into cottonwood/ash woods. A spur left leads to Hadley's Landing, where there are a fishing dock, picnic tables and a horseshoe playing area. The trail now heads along the Multnomah Channel, which is screened from view most of the time by a line of cottonwoods. Snowberry thickets grow strong here, too. Short spurs lead to the high river bank. Soon, pass a cottonwood/ willow wetland on the right. The trail turns in, passing a clump of cherries. Take in a view of the North Pond wetland on the right and cross a footbridge. Reed canary-grass seems to dominate here, along with bluejoint grass. Ascend under ash trees to a road bed and an open field of cow vetch. Note a line of oaks to the right. The meadow is dotted with large sentinels of oak, Douglas-fir and grand fir. Get another view of the lake over the blackberry thickets which fringe the track. Pass a fenced cow pasture and head into a wonderful oak copse followed by dense oak/maple/ash woods. Skirt an inlet of the pond and reach an open area with a huge oak. Soon, arrive at the picnic shelter in its flowery meadow, and go left to head back to parking.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Dogs on leash
- Open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Map depicted at trailhead
- Picnic area and boat dock
Maps
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Wapato Greenway Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Wapato Greenway Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Wild in the City: Exploring the Intertwine by Michael C. Houck and M.J. Cody (editors)
- Nature Walks In and Around Portland by Karen & Terry Whitehill
- Day Hiking: Columbia River Gorge by Craig Romano
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson
More Links
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)