View to the refuge headquarters and Mt. Hood, Wetland Trail (bobcat)

Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra), Wetland Trail (bobcat)

Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyne) haws, Wetland Trail (bobcat)

Canada geese and goslings, Tualatin River Wetland (bobcat)

Common camas (Camassia quamash), Tualatin River Wetland (bobcat)

The seasonal Chicken Creek Loop shown in yellow (bobcat) Courtesy: Google Maps

• Start point: Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Trailhead
• End Point: Tualatin Refuge Wetland Observation Deck
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 3.2 miles
• Elevation gain: 30 feet
• High Point: 130 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: May 1st through September 30th
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: No

Description

This loop allows a more extensive tour of the Atfalat'i Unit of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, but it is open from late spring through the summer only. The walking is along service roads, but gives access to excellent birdwatching opportunities in the thickets along Chicken Creek and the ditch that leads back towards the refuge Wildlife Center. By 2020, a project should be completed to restore Chicken Creek to its original meandering course after it had been diverted to a large ditch that leads straight to the Tualatin River. This will also create one large 280-acre wetland on the western side of the Atfalat'i Unit. Brochures and bird check lists are usually available at the large map kiosk for the Atfalat'i Unit. See the Tualatin Refuge Nature Trail Hike for the all-year hiking opportunities in the refuge.

Take the gravel service road down the hill from the parking lot past the outside restroom. There’s a cottonwood-rimmed pond on the right, while large oaks shade the roadway. You can see the nature trail to the right. The road curves to the left past a wooded copse, and then curves to the right following the shores of the large marsh. In late spring, killdeers may try to distract walkers away from their nests on the ground. The nature trail parallels the road on the right. On your left is a young plantation of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and maple. You can go over to a large viewing platform over the Tualatin River on the right. Fawn lilies and poison oak clothe the steep banks. You'll note a large, drying pond and recent plantings on the left, and then the road swings to the left with a wall of native woodland on the right. Douglas-fir, oaks, and maples dominate here. The road bends to the right and at a junction, keep right (going left cuts across the unit for a shorter loop). See the photo blind, cross Chicken Creek, and cross the blind trail (reservations only). You will see plantings of pine, maple and grand fir in this area, with the thickly wooded area to the right. Pass the large wetland observation deck under its spectacular oaks to your left and cross its access trail.

From here, head straight past seasonal marshes into a grove of mature grand fir. The river is a few yards to the right behind a thicket of vegetation dominated by red alder and Oregon ash. The track bends left at a right angle and follows the course of a shrub-shaded ditch. Bird life is teeming here: in late spring, blackbirds, swallows, yellowthroats, yellow-rumped warblers and sparrows flit through the greenery. You should also see signs of beaver activity The road track soon reaches another corner. Straight ahead is a vast and opulent country estate, while to the right is the Roy Rogers Road Trailhead and seasonal access point for the public (there are restrooms there if you need them).

Go right and then left to hike along as a service road follows the fence line of the private estate. The restored channel of Chicken Creek runs to your left through a grove of locust trees. To your right is a pond that fills in an old quarry; dusky Canada geese like to quarter themselves here. Cross an open expanse and get a view ahead to Mount Hood. Walk along a line of Pacific willows. The conifers woods and subdivisions of Bull Mountain, the low ridge across the Tualatin River to your left. Swing right and then left to come to the junction with the short seasonal loop. In spring, lupine blooms along the center of the road. Make a right, to reach a four-way junction, where you can turn left to hike up under large oaks. Switchbacks past the Centennial Viewpoint to reach the parking area and visitor center.

• The refuge gates are open from dawn to dusk.
• The Wildlife Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 - 4:00.
• There are restrooms, picnic tables, a gift shop, and brochures available.
• The Wetland Loop is open May 1st through September 30th; the Nature Trail is open all year
• The observation blind is free, but you need to make a reservation to use it: Call 503 625-5944.
• A birding festival is held at the Atfalat'i Unit on several days around the middle of May

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• No pets allowed; also no jogging or cycling
• Open May 1st through September 30th

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder
• Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
• Washington County: Washington County Recreation Map

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Tualatin River Wetland Loop Hike

• Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Tualatin River Wetland Loop Hike

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• Best Hikes Near Portland by Fred Barstad
• Wild in the City: Exploring the Intertwine edited by Michael C. Houck and M.J. Cody
• Exploring the Tualatin River Basin by Tualatin Riverkeepers

More Links

• Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
• Friends of the Refuge
• Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (Tualatin Valley)

Page Contributors

• bobcat (creator)