Powell Butte Perimeter Loop Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Powell Butte Main Trailhead
- End point:Powell Butte Main Trailhead
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 3.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 500 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Year round
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
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Hike Description
The Powell Butte Nature Area is crossed by a complicated net of trails. The hike detailed here covers the trails closest to the perimeter of the park.
Start at the Powell Butte Main Trailhead. The view from the parking lot includes Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams and a stunning view of Mount Hood. This hike starts on an unmarked trail heading west from the far west end of the lot. This is the Goldfinch Trail. After a short distance, the trail picks up a service road and follows it for about 1/10 of a mile to a trail junction. The trail that crosses here is really an old road and the trail is aptly named the Old Holgate Trail. Head west on the road, which serves as a service road, as well as the Old Holgate Trail. When the Old Holgate Trail starts down into the forest, stay straight on the service road, which is now signed as the Meadowland Trail.
At the next junction, the service road makes a sharp right turn. The Meadowland Trail goes straight south, but you'll be following the Elderberry Trail in a westward direction. This section of the Elderberry Trail is a single track heading through the woods, basically paralleling the service road. After about 1/2 of a mile, the trail comes out at the end of the service road. There's an underground water reservoir beneath the trail here. The elderberry trail continues down a steep, sometimes muddy section and curves toward the south. A side trail leads to the Raymond Street Trailhead. After this the trail skirts the very edge of the park where a local resident raises a couple of horses and some sheep. Please respect the landowners right, stay in the park and don't loiter.
The trail heads eastward into the park and soon drops down to a trail junction in a narrow creek valley. Most of the trail signs are missing here, but you can't go wrong if you turn right and head down the creek. You'll be on the Cedar Grove Trail for a bit, then at a signed junction, you'll continue south on the Blacktail Deer Trail. Another side trail leads to the Ellis Street Trailhead. Finally, near the lowest part of the park you'll come to a dual trail junction.
Both of these trails, the Pioneer Orchard Trail and the Wild Hawthorn Trail wind up near the same place. The Wild Hawthorn Trail is prettier during the April hawthorn flowering season. Most of year though, the Pioneer Orchard Trail is the better hike. Take either trail uphill to junctions with the Orchard Loop Trail. Near the top, you'll break out into open fields that are former cattle pastures. These grassy areas are often patrolled by birds of prey looking for field mice or garter snakes.
A true perimeter hike would turn right here, but for this hike, head left to visit the Powell Butte Summit Orchard. This orchard was planted by early homesteaders in the area. There are picnic tables and a unique "mountain finder" with a series of plaques pointing out the various mountain peaks visible from the summit.
After taking in the views, head east on the Orchard Loop toward Mount Hood. Angle left at each opportunity and you'll soon be on the Wildhorse Trail. Follow the Wildhorse Trail down the hill to the east end of the same parking lot you started at.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- None
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
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Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)