Walking Forest Park, Portland, OR

Forest Park, a 5,100 acre (2,064 hectare) park located in the West Hills of Portland, was the dream of landscape architects the Olmsted Brothers, back in 1903. However; it wasn’t until 1948 that the park was developed. You may recall that the Olmsted Brothers also designed Central Park in New York City.

Forest Park stretches close to eight miles (12.8 km) in the Tualatin Mountains along a lush, green, forested hillside above the Willamette River, near the West Hills neighborhood.

The park includes 70 miles (110 km) of hiking trails that weave their way through the park. It is one of the largest forested urban areas in the US, and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Here you’ll find flying squirrels, Roosevelt elk, black tailed deer, bobcats, garter snakes, Pacific tree frogs and a wide variety of birds. Luckily, we didn’t cross paths with any snakes or bobcats on any of our hikes.

A few weeks ago, we enjoyed hiking the Lower MacLeay Trail which meanders through the trees along a quiet stream. It is one of several trails that pass the Witch’s Castle; a stone structure built in the mid 1930s.

The Witch’s Castle was designed by architect Ernest F. Tucker as a public toilette and pavilion. In 1962, the water line to the facility was destroyed in a severe storm, and was never repaired. Rumor has it that it is now a popular spot for wild, teenage parties, and graffiti artists.

The Wildwood Trail will take you past Pittock Mansion, (more about the mansion in the coming weeks) where you’ll find amazing views of five volcanoes in the Cascade Range; Mounts Rainier, Hood, Adams, St. Helens and Jefferson. (Click here to read about the Big Blast and volcanos in this range).

Earlier this week we enjoyed a ramble on the Holman Lane Loop Trail.

The park is open daily from 5am to 10pm and entry is free. The park is open to walkers, hikers, bikers and equestrians; click here for additional information.

After our ramble earlier this week, we were quite hungry when we got home. We picked a few items from our garden, and theTravelsketcher created this delicious lunch for us; cheesy polenta with roasted tomatoes, aubergine (eggplant) and scallion.

As a side note, a junco has built her nest in our garden and gets quite upset with us whenever we stop by. She was quite creative in building her nest in a protected area under the chives. Her hatchlings look quite healthy!

We have thoroughly enjoyed exploring this lovely park and will continue to visit whenever city life gets too hectic. Portland author Marcy Houle describes the park thusly: it captures the essence of what is natural and wild and beautiful about the Northwest.

Visiting Forest Park always reminds me of this famous quote:

And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul. John Muir

We will continue to explore Forest Park and enjoy the miles of hiking trails (knees willing) as time and weather allow.

Wishing you lovely rambles,

Tricia