LOWER MACLEAY PARK TO PITTOCK MANSION

Distance: 5.2 mile semi-loop

Elevation Gain: 900 feet

Trailhead elevation: 101 feet

Trail high point: 955 feet

Season: all year

Best: April – May

On the traditional lands of: the Atfalati and Stl’pulmsh (Cowlitz) peoples

Directions:

• In Portland, drive up into northwest Portland to the corner of NW 25th & NW Thurman Street.

• Turn left on NW Thurman Street and drive two blocks to NW 27th Street. Turn right, drive one block to Upshur Street and turn left.

• The trailhead, Lower Macleay Park, is at the end of Upshur Street. There is a small parking lot there but you'll likely need to find parking in the neighborhood.

• Better yet, you can take either the #15 or the #77 bus to within a few blocks of the park. Consult trimet.org for more information.

• Drivetime from Portland: 10 minutes

Hike: This extremely popular hike combines two of Portland's most beautiful parks into one convenient semi-loop. Though you'll see lots of people no matter when you come, the best time to do this hike is easily April and May, when the forest floor comes alive with profuse displays of trillium, when Balch Creek is still running and when views stretch out from Pittock to Mansion to five Cascade snowpeaks on clear days. What could possibly be better in such an urban setting?

Begin by hiking the Lower Macleay Park under Thurman Street's trestle bridge and into the canyon of Balch Creek. Notice how the creek is diverted into a wooden tunnel next to the trail; it resurfaces about a mile downstream near the Willamette River. You'll cross this beautiful creek on a wide trail that transitions from pavement to gravel to dirt (or mud, for much of the year) and parallel this surprisingly wild stream. After about a half mile, cross the creek again next to a small waterfall, complete with splash pool. This is a great place to stop, and keen eyes may spot native trout and crawfish in the pool below if it isn't too muddy. From here the trail parallels the creek on the right as it cuts through a tunnel of huge Douglas firs. Though you may be able to spot houses above you, this stretch of trail feels quite wild. Keep your dogs on leash here, as Balch Creek and its small population of trout are fragile.

After almost a mile, reach a junction with the Wildwood Trail at a huge stone shelter that was once a bathroom (despite any number of urban legends you may have heard about the place). From here, keep straight on the Wildwood Trail and continue another 0.3 mile up a beautiful stretch of Balch Creek to a bridge. Cross the bridge and hike three well-graded switchbacks up to a parking lot and trailhead on NW Cornell Road. Look both ways and cross this busy street. Almost immediately, you are greeted with a trail junction with the Upper Macleay Trail. Begin your loop by turning left on the Wildwood Trail and begin a gradual uphill climb through impressive forest. Ferns dominate the understory but look for white trilliums in spring and Oregon grape year-round. Also keep an eye out for trail runners, who often outnumber hikers on this stretch of trail.

Pass a junction with the Cumberland Trail on your left, switchback uphill and arrive at a four-way junction with the Upper Macleay Trail at 2.1 miles. Continue straight on the Wildwood and climb another 0.4 mile of well-graded switchbacks up to Pittock Mansion's huge parking lot. Turn left and walk out to the mansion. Turn left and walk around the mansion to its front lawn, a park with a picture-perfect view of Portland, backed by Mount Hood. With keen eyes and a good knowledge of the city, you should be able to spot many of the Portland's famous landmarks. Look around and you'll also be able to see the three Washington volcanoes from various spots on the mansion's grounds. Very keen eyes can spot the top third of Mount Jefferson looming over ridges to the south of Portland. On a sunny day, this is a perfect place for a picnic! Though others were able to drive here, you actually earned your lunch. You can also mark the occasion by taking a tour of the mansion, which I can personally assure you is fascinating.

On your return, hike down to the four-way junction with the Upper Macleay Trail and this time turn left. You will soon leave behind most of the trail runners as you descend through side canyons on this quiet path. After a little more than a half-mile you return to the junction with the Wildwood Trail just above Cornell Road. Turn left on the Wildwood, cross Cornell Road, and then hike the Lower Macleay Trail back to the trailhead.