Difference between revisions of "West Linn Willamette Greenway Hike"

Latest revision as of 17:44, 12 December 2021

View to Goat Island from Maddax Woods (bobcat)

Gazebo at the McLean House, West Linn (bobcat)

Christmas light show, Dorothy's Garden, Maddax Woods (bobcat)

Bolton Creek Bridge, Maddax Woods (bobcat)

Raccoon tracks on the beach, Burnside Park (bobcat)

The lollipop loop along the Willamette in West Linn; trails in red, street walking in orange (bobcat) Courtesy: Google Maps

Start point: Territorial Drive Trailhead
End Point: Edgewater Court Trailhead
Hike Type: In and out with loop
Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet
High point: 165 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Seasons: All year
Family Friendly: Yes
Backpackable: No
Crowded: No

A couple of noncontiguous stretches of the Willamette River Greenway in West Linn offer quiet respite from the busy streets above, and the whole walk takes you to five West Linn parks. You are always within sight of the river as you walk under the Oregon City Bridge and then the I-205 bridge. You'll pass the historic McLean House and then amble along River Drive before entering the lush mixed forest in Maddax Woods and Burnside Park. A loop option takes you through the historic Bolton Neighborhood of West Linn before descending to Maddax Woods. If you begin this loop at the Maddax Woods Trailhead, you'll get a shorter version of the outing at about 2.1 miles.

An optional, short backtrack from the parking pullout on Territorial Drive takes you 50 yards up the narrow road to a trail that leads down rough stairs and a fixed step ladder to a public fishing dock. However, there's no really good view of Willamette Falls, which is blocked by the buildings of the West Linn Paper Company.

Follow Territorial Drive under the 1922 Oregon City Bridge, designed by renowned architect Conde McCullough. The street passes a power pylon, several blufftop dwellings, and a staircase that leads up to Willamette Drive. At the last house, you'll see a sign for the Willamette River Greenway where it leads into undeveloped West Bridge Park. Rustling maples and cottonwoods shade the track before you pass under I-205 and its entrance/exit ramps. The trail ends at the McLean House, a historic city-owned home that is rented out for special events. However, casual visitors are welcome to explore the surrounding garden, with its gazebo, rose garden, and giant sequoia. The house was built in 1927 by Dr. Edward McLean, who practiced all over Clackamas County as a country physician.

From the McLean House, you'll be following River Drive for 0.6 miles. This area of large riverfront homes that own their own shoreline was known historically as Lonesome Bottom. The street crosses a couple of creeks and, past Burns Street, becomes a cul-de-sac where you'll reach the Maddax Woods Trailhead. The seven acres of Maddax Woods was donated to the City of West Linn by Dorothy and Virgil Maddax, who lived in the house above the entrance for almost 50 years. On your right, you'll see Dorothy's Garden and on the left, Dorothy's Library Trail rises to Hood Street. Below the garden is the foundation of the boat barn where Virgil Maddax, a commercial fisherman, constructed fishing boats and then sent them on a railed slipway down to the river. A large, informative display describes Virgil's activities. Past the display, a paved path leads to a picnic table and viewpoint down the river to Goat Island. You can also reach the river shore via the slipway. Dorothy Maddax, known as the "Goose Lady" because she dished out handfuls of grain to her feathered visitors, was a past president of the West Linn Garden Club. Most years, from mid-November to New Year's Day, the circular path from the Maddax Woods Trailhead to the river viewpoint is festively lit and decorated with cut outs of forest creatures. The Maddax Woods Trail has lighting along it as far as the Bolton Creek Bridge.

From the Maddax Woods Trailhead, follow the wide gravel path behind the bollards to undulate long in Douglas-fir/big-leaf maple woods. The trail levels to cross Bolton Creek on a high wide bridge over its ravine. A steep, ivy-choked trail leads up above the ravine to Buck Street. Keeping to the Willamette River Greenway, you'll enter Burnside Park and walk above a cottonwood bottomland. A trail leads left up to Holmes Street and, 25 yards later, you should turn right to follow a path down to the river. Once at the the sandy beach, bear right, keeping your eyes open for raccoon, deer, and great blue heron tracks. Goat Island, with its tall cottonwood forest is just upstream. When you reach Bolton Creek, which spills into the river at a jumble of large rocks, turn back and head up to the greenway.

Make a right to finish the last part of the trail, which runs along a fence line to reach Edgewater Court. Then return past the beach trail, and bear right on the trail that leads up through ivy-draped trees to Holmes Street. Follow Holmes to cross Buck Street and then pass around Bolton School. Past the school buildings, turn left and enter Hammerle Park, walking across the lawn to the left of the tennis courts and passing the restrooms. Cross Lewis Street to Robert Moore Street, which you'll follow for a block. After bearing right on Bolton Street, turn left to follow a paved path below the parking area of a small shopping center. This will take you to the West Linn Public Library, where you should stay left to circle around the building, passing colorful ceramic totems and painted statues. When you reach Hood Street, turn left to descend to the signed Dorothy's Library Trail.

The Library Trail descends wooden staircase and crosses two footbridges before winding down under the maples and Douglas-firs to reach the Maddax Woods Trailhead. Here, turn right to follow River Drive back to the Territorial Drive Trailhead.

Fees, Regulations, etc.

Dogs on leash
Port-a-potty, picnic tables at Maddax Woods; restrooms and picnic area at Hammerle Park

Maps

Trip Reports

Search Trip Reports for West Linn Willamette Greenway Hike

Related Discussions / Q&A

Search Trail Q&A for West Linn Willamette Greenway Hike

Guidebooks that cover this hike

none

Page Contributors

bobcat (creator)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Northwest Oregon]]
 [[Category:Portland Area]]
-[[Category:All Season Hikes]]
 [[Category:Clackamas County Suburbs]]
+[[Category:All Season Hikes]]
 [[Category:Family Hikes]]
 [[Category:Urban Hikes]]
 [[Category:Public Transit]]
+[[Category:Loop Hikes]]
 [[Category:Easy Hikes]]
 [[Category:Hikes]]
-[[Image:BurnsideParkMaddaxWoods1.jpg|thumb|400px|Goat Island from Burnside Park ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:Goat Island cottonwoods, Maddax Woods, West Linn.jpg|thumb|400px|View to Goat Island from Maddax Woods ''(bobcat)'']]
-[[Image:BurnsideParkMaddaxWoods3.jpg|thumb|250px|Raccoon tracks on the beach, Burnside Park ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:Gazebo at McLean House, West Linn.jpg|thumb|250px|Gazebo at the McLean House, West Linn ''(bobcat)'']]
-[[Image:BurnsideParkMaddaxWoods2.jpg|thumb|250px|Bolton Creek Bridge, Maddax Woods ''(bobcat)'']]
 [[Image:MaddaxWoods4.jpg|thumb|250px|Christmas light show, Dorothy's Garden, Maddax Woods ''(bobcat)'']]
-[[Image:BurnsideParkMaddaxWoodsMap.png|thumb|400px|Burnside Park and Maddax Woods on the Willamette River ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:BurnsideParkMaddaxWoods2.jpg|thumb|250px|Bolton Creek Bridge, Maddax Woods ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:BurnsideParkMaddaxWoods3.jpg|thumb|250px|Raccoon tracks on the beach, Burnside Park ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:WestLinnWillametteGreenwayMap.png|thumb|400px|The lollipop loop along the Willamette in West Linn; trails in red, street walking in orange ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: ''Google Maps'']]
-{{Start point|Edgewater Court Trailhead}}
+{{Start point|Territorial Drive Trailhead}}
-* End Point: [[Maddax Woods Trailhead]]
+* End Point: [[Edgewater Court Trailhead]]
-* Trail Log:
+* Hike Type: In and out with loop
-* Hike Type: In and out
+{{Distance|4.3 miles}}
-{{Distance|1.1 miles}}
+{{Elevation Gain|200 feet}}
-{{Elevation Gain|115 feet}}
+* High point: 165 feet
-* High Point: 90 feet
 {{Difficulty|Easy}}
 * Seasons: All year
@@ Line 29: / Line 30: @@
 === Description ===
-These two parks, part of the non-contiguous Willamette River Greenway, offer quiet respite from the busy streets above. You are always within sight of the river as you walk through lush mixed forest; Goat Island stands offshore and there is access to a sandy beach.
+A couple of noncontiguous stretches of the Willamette River Greenway in West Linn offer quiet respite from the busy streets above, and the whole walk takes you to five West Linn parks. You are always within sight of the river as you walk under the Oregon City Bridge and then the I-205 bridge. You'll pass the historic [[McLean House]] and then amble along River Drive before entering the lush mixed forest in Maddax Woods and Burnside Park. A loop option takes you through the historic Bolton Neighborhood of West Linn before descending to Maddax Woods. If you begin this loop at the [[Maddax Woods Trailhead]], you'll get a shorter version of the outing at about 2.1 miles.
-The trail heads down along a fence shielding large houses and comes to a fork. Go left down to a cottonwood-shaded field and then a beach on the Willamette. Goat Island is across the water. There’s a boat launch on the opposite bank of the Willamette. Walk along the beach (Look for raccoon and deer tracks), and cross Bolton Creek, which spills into the river at a jumble of large rocks. Very steep use trails lead up into the woods from here, past a fire circle, to connect with the Willamette Greenway, but it's more environmentally sensitive and less destructive to return and pick up the main Burnside Park Trail at the fork.
+An optional, short backtrack from the parking pullout on Territorial Drive takes you 50 yards up the narrow road to a trail that leads down rough stairs and a fixed step ladder to a public fishing dock. However, there's no really good view of [[Willamette Falls]], which is blocked by the buildings of the West Linn Paper Company.
-The wide, graveled trail heads southeast under a high canopy in dense woods of Douglas-fir, big-leaf maple and grand fir. Reach a junction with the steep, ivy-choked trail up to Buck Street (It's 0.2 miles round-trip and 100 feet elevation gain to Buck Street), and then cross Bolton Creek on a high wide bridge over its gully. You are now entering Maddax Woods. Goat Island can be seen through the trees on the left. The trail rises and then drops to a gravel road. The former Maddax residence is to the left. There’s a port-a-potty here and information brochures about the Maddax donation to West Linn's excellent parks system. Dorothy’s Garden is also signed for visitors. The gravel road leads to River Road and into suburbia.
+Follow Territorial Drive under the 1922 Oregon City Bridge, designed by renowned architect Conde McCullough. The street passes a power pylon, several blufftop dwellings, and a staircase that leads up to Willamette Drive. At the last house, you'll see a sign for the Willamette River Greenway where it leads into undeveloped West Bridge Park. Rustling maples and cottonwoods shade the track before you pass under I-205 and its entrance/exit ramps. The trail ends at the [[McLean House]], a historic city-owned home that is rented out for special events. However, casual visitors are welcome to explore the surrounding garden, with its gazebo, rose garden, and giant sequoia. The house was built in 1927 by Dr. Edward McLean, who practiced all over Clackamas County as a country physician.
-Return to Edgewater Court the way you came.
+From the [[McLean House]], you'll be following River Drive for 0.6 miles. This area of large riverfront homes that own their own shoreline was known historically as Lonesome Bottom. The street crosses a couple of creeks and, past Burns Street, becomes a cul-de-sac where you'll reach the [[Maddax Woods Trailhead]]. The seven acres of Maddax Woods was donated to the City of West Linn by Dorothy and Virgil Maddax, who lived in the house above the entrance for almost 50 years. On your right, you'll see Dorothy's Garden and on the left, Dorothy's Library Trail rises to Hood Street. Below the garden is the foundation of the boat barn where Virgil Maddax, a commercial fisherman, constructed fishing boats and then sent them on a railed slipway down to the river. A large, informative display describes Virgil's activities. Past the display, a paved path leads to a picnic table and viewpoint down the river to Goat Island. You can also reach the river shore via the slipway. Dorothy Maddax, known as the "Goose Lady" because she dished out handfuls of grain to her feathered visitors, was a past president of the West Linn Garden Club. Most years, from mid-November to New Year's Day, the circular path from the [[Maddax Woods Trailhead]] to the river viewpoint is festively lit and decorated with cut outs of forest creatures. The Maddax Woods Trail has lighting along it as far as the Bolton Creek Bridge.
-Note that from mid-November to New Year's Day, the circular path from the [[Maddax Woods Trailhead]] through Dorothy's Garden to viewpoints and picnic tables looking over the Willamette is festively lit and decorated with cut outs of forest creatures. The Maddax Woods Trail has lighting along it as far as the Bolton Creek Bridge.
+From the [[Maddax Woods Trailhead]], follow the wide gravel path behind the bollards to undulate long in Douglas-fir/big-leaf maple woods. The trail levels to cross  Bolton Creek on a high wide bridge over its ravine. A steep, ivy-choked trail leads up above the ravine to Buck Street. Keeping to the Willamette River Greenway, you'll enter Burnside Park and walk above a cottonwood bottomland. A trail leads left up to Holmes Street and, 25 yards later, you should turn right to follow a path down to the river. Once at the the sandy beach, bear right, keeping your eyes open for raccoon, deer, and great blue heron tracks. Goat Island, with its tall cottonwood forest is just upstream. When you reach Bolton Creek, which spills into the river at a jumble of large rocks, turn back and head up to the greenway.
-Dorothy Maddax, the "Goose Lady,"  was a past president of the West Linn Garden Club, and the property was donated to West Linn after her death.
+Make a right to finish the last part of the trail, which runs along a fence line to reach [[Edgewater Court Trailhead|Edgewater Court]]. Then return past the beach trail, and bear right on the trail that leads up through ivy-draped trees to Holmes Street. Follow Holmes to cross Buck Street and then pass around Bolton School. Past the school buildings, turn left and enter Hammerle Park, walking across the lawn to the left of the tennis courts and passing the restrooms. Cross Lewis Street to Robert Moore Street, which you'll follow for a block. After bearing right on Bolton Street, turn left to follow a paved path below the parking area of a small shopping center. This will take you to the West Linn Public Library, where you should stay left to circle around the building, passing colorful ceramic totems and painted statues. When you reach Hood Street, turn left to descend to the signed Dorothy's Library Trail.
+The Library Trail descends wooden staircase and crosses two footbridges before winding down under the maples and Douglas-firs to reach the [[Maddax Woods Trailhead]]. Here, turn right to follow River Drive back to the [[Territorial Drive Trailhead]].
 === Fees, Regulations, etc. ===
 * Dogs on leash
+* Port-a-potty, picnic tables at Maddax Woods; restrooms and picnic area at Hammerle Park
 === Maps ===
+{{Hikemaps|latitude=45.3701|longitude=-122.6136}}
+* [https://westlinnoregon.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/library/page/7380/bolton_neighborhood_tour.pdf  Historic Bolton Neighborhpood Walking Tour (Bolton Neighborhood Association)]
 * [http://westlinnoregon.gov/sites/default/files/gis/parks/parks_trails2.pdf  West Linn Walking Paths and Trails Map 2 (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
 * [http://westlinnoregon.gov/sites/default/files/gis/parks/parks_trails3.pdf  West Linn Walking Paths and Trails Map 3 (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
@@ Line 57: / Line 63: @@
 === More Links ===
-* [http://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/burnside-park  Burnside Park (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
+* [https://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/west-bridge-park  West Bridge Park (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
+* [https://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/mclean-house-and-park  McLean Park and House (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
 * [http://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/maddax-woods  Maddax Woods (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
-* [http://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/burnside-park-maddax-woods  Burnside Park & Maddax Woods (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
+* [http://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/burnside-park  Burnside Park (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
-* [http://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/lighting-maddax-woods  Lighting of Maddax Woods (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
+* [https://westlinnoregon.gov/parksrec/hammerle-park  Hammerle Park (West Linn Parks & Recreation)]
+* [https://mcleanhouse.org/  Friends of McLean Park and House]
+* [https://www.westlinnhistory.org/history/mclean-house  McLean House (West Linn Historical Society)]
+* [https://www.herecomestheguide.com/wedding-venues/oregon/mclean-house  McLean House (Here Comes the Guide)]
+* [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/burnside-park-to-maddax-woods-trail  Burnside Park to Maddax Woods Trail (All Trails)]
+* [https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/12/b053ad01d35742/west-linns-maddax-woods-a-wildlife-sanctuary-along-the-willamette-river-electrified-in-holiday-lights-photos-.html  "West Linn’s Maddax Woods, a wildlife sanctuary along the Willamette River, electrified in holiday lights" (Oregon Live)]
 * [http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2013/12/maddax_woods_lights_labyrinth.html  "Maddax Woods lights, labyrinth of lights fest, ying yang class: West Linn events" (Oregon Live)]
-* [http://redtri.com/portland/lights-in-maddox-woods/  Lights in Maddax Woods (red tricycle)]
 === Page Contributors ===
 * [[User:bobcat|bobcat]] (creator)

Difference between revisions of "West Linn Willamette Greenway Hike"

Difference between revisions of "West Linn Willamette Greenway Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

Latest revision as of 17:44, 12 December 2021

Contents

Description

Fees, Regulations, etc.

Maps

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

More Links

Page Contributors