Commonwealth Lake Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Butner Road Trailhead
- End point: Foothills Park
- Hike type: Loop
- Distance: 1.7 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 75 feet
- High point: 260 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
- Commonwealth Lake Accessibility Information
Contents |
Description
This park is an oasis of tranquillity just off busy Highway 26. Many waterfowl congregate here in the winter, and it has become a go-to destination for urban birders. The pond is also stocked with trout several times in the spring by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, attracting young, aspiring, and disabled fishers.
From the trailhead, head down to the lake on a paved trail across a lawn. Go right and follow the trail around the willow (yellow twigs in winter) and red-osier dogwood (red twigs) lined shore. There’a a viewing platform here where Johnson Creek flows along a ditch to the right through a wetland. A great blue heron might be poised patiently at the shoreline. In winter, there are waterfowl galore on the lake itself: domestic ducks and geese, many hybrids, mallards, wigeons, coots, and buffleheads. Pass some oak trees and cross the outlet from the lake to the creek on a footbridge. You'll see a large pond and wetland beyond Johnson Creek. There's a playground and soccer field at the western end of the lake. Picnic tables and benches are dispersed along the route. Now, the paved trail heads back along the south shore passing a port-a-potty at the exit to Foothill Drive. Homes line the park lawns to the right. You'll come to a large viewing platform with a bird identification chart, and then cross a creek and head up a paved path to Huntington Avenue.
To extend the walk, cross the street and find a gravel path leading into Foothills Park on the north side of Foothills Creek near Lanewood Street. There’s a port-a-potty here before you pass under a large oak. Alder, willow, blackberry, and Douglas-fir form a thicket. Head across a basketball court and enter Douglas-fir woods. Non-native ivy, laurel and holly also proliferate in this patch of forest. You'll emerge in an open area on a barkchip path and take a paved right-of-way between homes to Alcott Avenue. To make a loop on residential streets, go right to Foothill Drive, turn right here and walk along a very suburban street. At the next junction, go right and swing above Foothills Park until you reach Huntington. Make a right and then left down into Commonwealth Lake Park. The trail passes by a spring on the right, crosses a footbridge over a creek, and returns you to parking.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Open dawn to dusk
- Keep dogs on leash (poop bag dispensers available)
- Port-a-potty in Commonwealth Lake Park and Foothills Park
- Picnic tables, play area, benches, viewing platforms, interpretive signs
- Fishing is permitted with a valid Oregon license
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Nature and Trails Map (Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District)
- Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District: Trails
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Commonwealth Lake Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Commonwealth Lake Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Wild in the City: Exploring the Intertwine edited by Michael C. Houck and M.J. Cody
More Links
- Commonwealth Lake Park (Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District)
- Foothills Park (Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District)
- Portland Family Fun Guide: Commonwealth Lake Park (Frugal Living NW)
- Commonwealth Lake Park (Journey Around the Globe)
- Fishing at Commonwealth Lake near Beaverton (Best Fishing in America)
- Commonwealth Lake Park (Ethical Birder)
- Commonwealth Lake Park (eBird)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)