hike #9: macleay trail

Completed: 3/29/11

Rating: 2.5 stars

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Time: 2 hours? (I didn't write it down!)

Length: 4.5 miles

Macleay Trail is basically about a mile from the heart of downtown Portland which makes it a very accessible hike and pretty cool all on its own! If this hike was compared to other hikes within big city limts it would easily get 5 stars!

Kyle and I attempted to do this hike on a different day, it was a Thursday, right after I had gotten off work. It was incredible sunny that day, so we didn't want to waste it. But halfway to the trailhead it started pouring rain and hailing. Not ideal hiking conditions. So instead we did this on Simone's last full day visiting Portland on a rainy day! Good thing Simone bought a rain jacket before she came out! Macleay Trail also happens to be a part of the dreaded Wildwood Trail that Kyle and I have gotten lost on before (read about it here)!

Simone next to the 241 ft tall
Portland Heritage Tree

Kyle and I both agreed that this would be a great trail-running trail, and we did indeed see a few out and about. Macleay also has quite a bit of history that goes along with it; 1. The trail runs along Balch Creek which is named for the man who used to own the land and also was the first man in Portland who was tried and hanged for murder. 2. Balch Creek used to be Portland's original water supply. 3. The Portland Heritage Tree, which is the tallest tree in Portland and maybe the tallest tree in any major U.S. city, is right off the trail.

The trail is divided into 2 parts; Upper Macleay Trail and Lower Macleay Trail. We started on the lower portion and basically walked uphill until Pittock Mansion. However, it becomes the upper part of the trail when you cross a road (there is also parking for the trails there). There is also a brief point where the Wildwood Trail and the Macleay Trails combine-an easy way to get lost! There were some steep parts of the trails, but overall it was good. I also remember when Kyle and I ended up on this trail and I thought it was the hardest hike I had ever done! My perspective has changed quite a bit!

At the halfway mark of the route (it went out and back) is Pittock Mansion. I would love to tour that place someday! It was built in 1914 by the owner of the Oregonian and has a beautiful view of the entire city and Mt. Hood. If it wouldn't have been such a rainy and crappy day we would have gone to the back of the house to check out the view. But since it was so cloudy it wouldn't have been much of a view anyways!

On our hike back to the car, we took a small detour stopped at the Aubudon Society, a place where injured owls and hawks are rehabilitated. There are also cages housing some birds who will never be able to fly again including an awesome looking owl named Hazel. 

We went pretty quick through the hike due to the rain. I also didn't take as many photos as normal. Kyle and I are definitely planning on going back to this trail again once we finish our 60 hike goal! The biggest reason we want to go back is because it is right in town and we didn't get to see the view of Mt. Hood! I also hope Simone appreciated the change from downtown city to forest in about 5 blocks! This is also an easy trail to take visitors to! And we love visitors!!!!