:: Portlands Forest Park::

FASCINATING Facts

Portland’s Forest Park On Portland’s west side, Washington Park is home to wide manicured lawns, an arboretum and the Oregon Zoo with its charming narrow gauge railroad. This park is a pleasant place to picnic or fritter away a relaxing afternoon with a good book. Real adventurers will park their cars here, grab water bottle and backpack, then head north on the park’s Wildwood Trail. It crosses Washington Park’s borders and continues into the deep woods of one of the nation’s finest urban wilderness experiences. The path leads directly into Forest Park, a 5,000-acre tangle of dense foliage sprawling along steep hills. Gravel paths dissect the undergrowth. The longest makes a 40-mile loop. Despite the pastoral name, this is more forest than park and not for the faint-hearted. There are more than 70 miles of trails, all surrounded by so much flora and fauna it’s hard to remember that downtown is just a five-minute bus ride away. A recent wildlife survey charted more than 100 species of birds and 62 types of mammals—rendering Forest Park much unchanged since William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame) documented the same area more than 200 years ago. About five miles into The Wildwood Trail, the path gives way to a clearing surrounding the Pittock mansion, one of the few reminders of man’s influence on this wild landscape. Once the home of the publisher of the Oregonian newspaper, its vast yard provides a nice resting place for weary hikers. To tour the lavishly restored 1,000 sq. ft home costs $7. Best to use the restroom at the zoo unless you want to linger indoors. Maps of Forest Park are advised and can be purchased at local recreational supply stores and the Hoyt Arboretum near the zoo. Click here to learn about the world’s tiniest park! skywestmagazine.com

Portland’s Forest Park

On Portland’s west side, Washington Park is home to wide manicured lawns, an arboretum and the Oregon Zoo with its charming narrow gauge railroad. This park is a pleasant place to picnic or fritter away a relaxing afternoon with a good book.

Real adventurers will park their cars here, grab water bottle and backpack, then head north on the park’s Wildwood Trail. It crosses Washington Park’s borders and continues into the deep woods of one of the nation’s finest urban wilderness experiences.

The path leads directly into Forest Park, a 5,000-acre tangle of dense foliage sprawling along steep hills. Gravel paths dissect the undergrowth. The longest makes a 40-mile loop. Despite the pastoral name, this is more forest than park and not for the faint-hearted. There are more than 70 miles of trails, all surrounded by so much flora and fauna it’s hard to remember that downtown is just a five-minute bus ride away. A recent wildlife survey charted more than 100 species of birds and 62 types of mammals—rendering Forest Park much unchanged since William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame) documented the same area more than 200 years ago.

About five miles into The Wildwood Trail, the path gives way to a clearing surrounding the Pittock mansion, one of the few reminders of man’s influence on this wild landscape. Once the home of the publisher of the Oregonian newspaper, its vast yard provides a nice resting place for weary hikers. To tour the lavishly restored 1,000 sq. ft home costs $7. Best to use the restroom at the zoo unless you want to linger indoors.

Maps of Forest Park are advised and can be purchased at local recreational supply stores and the Hoyt Arboretum near the zoo.

Click here to learn about the world’s tiniest park!

skywestmagazine.com