Clackamas River Hike #10 (1/6 of the way done!)

Completed: 4/1/11

Time: 3.5 hours

Distance: 7.2 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Stars: 3.5

In our book, the hikes are divided by region:

     In the Columbia River Gorge

     Around Mount St. Helens
     Up the Clackamas River
     Up the Santiam River
     Around Mount Hood
     The Coast and Coast Range
     In Portland and the Willamette Valley

So far, we have only done 2 regions: In the Columbia River Gorge and In Portland and the Willamette Valley. This is mostly due to hikes around Mt. St Helens and Mt. Hood don’t even open up until June or July, its super rainy on the coast in the spring (it will be better in the summer and fall), and the hikes up the rivers are pretty far away or not open until May. This hike, the Clackamas River hike, is one of the few that we were able to do that was within a reasonable distance.



Kyle really happy to be out hiking!



It was my turn to drive to the trailhead which was a bummer because the drive was even really pretty! I knew right away the hike was going to rock just because of the scenery while driving there. Our original plan was to hike the entire trail and back, which is a total of 15.6 miles and would have taken approximately 8 hours. Springtime is known for “big water” according to the author of our book because there is a lot of runoff from Mt. Hood/surrounding mountains, so all of the creeks are really high. Throughout the hike we had to cross a few creek/runoff areas, and at about halfway there was one creek, Pup Creek, that was just too deep to cross. So we ended up sitting down and eating lunch, and then turning heading back to our car. The author actually recommends turning around there anyways or parking a car at both trailheads so you don’t end up with such a long hike; Kyle and I just wanted a challenge!

Throughout the entire hike we were walking along the Clackamas River which was really cool; the river is good size with lots of rapids! There were times when we were at water level and then others when the trail climbed and we were along a steep cliff looking down at the water. The trail was similar to a roller coaster that it would keep going up and down, up and down with some parts definitely very steep. There were other parts of the trail where we were basically walking in sand, and at one of those times we detoured off the trail right up to the water’s edge.



Pup Creek Falls

Thankfully we were also out on a really nice day: low 60’s and not a cloud in the sky! There was also a side trail that we took to check out Pup Creek Falls, which is the waterfall that feeds into the same creek we were unable to cross! Throughout the hikes we have done so far, we have seen a lot of waterfalls, but they keep amazing me! One thing cool about Pup Creek Falls was that we got really close to the falls so there was a lot of moisture in the air and the trail was basically just mud. By the time we got back to the main trail we were both pretty wet which is why it is a good thing we always have our rain jackets!

This is a hike we definitely want to do again because the hike offers different things each season! In spring time there is “big water” and lots of flowers; summer it is a cool, shady place to beat the heat; in fall there are beautiful fall colors; not sure what exactly there is in winter, but the hike is open year-round so at least there is an option to hike this trail!

Mid-stream crossing! And the rocks are slippery!



Megan after crossing one stream



Where we sat down to eat lunch!



Flooded trail!



P.S. Kyle did not post this...Megan did! I just forgot to log Kyle out first! Oops!

hike 7: part 2--beacon rock

Beacon Rock

Completed: 3/30/11

Length: 1.8 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Stars: 2

In our awesome hiking book Hamilton Mountain and Beacon Rock are grouped together. I assume this is because their respective trailheads are across the street from each other and Beacon Rock is a short hike. But Kyle and I did not hike these hike at the same time mainly because Beacon Rock is also known as a good climbing spot, so we wanted to hike it and climb it on the same trip! Add the fact that Hamilton Mountain took longer than we anticipated when we needed to work that night. However, we didn’t end up climbing Beacon Rock when we went back to hike because we went pretty late in the day, we forgot our climbing shoes, and it was still kind of rainy out. Anyways, that is why this hike is in 2 parts! (check out part 1 here!)

Beacon Rock actually has a really cool history along with it being an impressive hiking trail! It sticks out of the earth very impressively and has been hiked by Lewis and Clark. The rock marks the change in the Columbia River; the last of the rapids and the beginning of tidal influence on the river. The rock is the inside of an ancient volcano that remained behind after all the flooding that happened to form the Columbia River Gorge due to glaciers melting. Henry J. Biddle bought the land in 1914 to build a trail that climbed the rock. The trail itself ascends almost 600 feet in less than a mile and consists of 52 switchbacks, 100 concrete slabs, and, originally, 22 wooden bridges. Another cool fact about the trail was that the builders couldn't scout the route; they would build a section and then figure out where to go with it next.

The top of Beacon Rock provides a great view of the gorge in both east and west and a view of the peak of Hamilton Mountain to the north. But Beacon Rock was a little too touristy for Kyle and I. We saw people “hiking” up it in flip flops, which would be really easy to do other than the fact that its steep. Plus, at the top there were railings around the entire thing so we were unable to explore. We did break for a beer at the top though! On our hike down we ventured off the trail to see if we could find any of the top-rope climbing spots. Unfortunately we didn’t see any, but we did find some great bouldering areas. Kyle even climbed up one of the boulders without his climbing shoes!

The Beacon Rock State Park is a cool area, even if the climb to the top was less than amazing. There is beach access, picnic areas, and a camping areas. It would be a cool place to go back to and camp and swim and have a good time once it gets warm out!

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!!!!