Salish Ponds Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Salish Ponds Elementary Trailhead
- End point: Fairview Community Park Trailhead
- Hike type: Reverse lollipop loop
- Distance: 2.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 30 feet
- High point: 200 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
Fairview City took the bull by the horns and developed this formerly ugly area as a wetland and greenspace. The two ponds are former gravel pits used for the construction of I-84 and other projects. After decommissioning, they were stocked with trout for public enjoyment. However, this led to extreme degradation of the banks around the ponds, and the city performed a major rehabilitation of the pond fringes. The unheralded section of this hike is the in and out trail that runs along Fairview Creek through a lovely swale of Oregon ash, black cottonwood, and Oregon white oak to Fairview Community Park. Even though it passes by a large Target store, this is a relatively pristine riparian corridor among the suburban developments.
From the parking area at the elementary school (the former location of Reynolds High School), find a gravel path. In fact a couple of gravel paths lead right to join the main path that leads from a gate to the West Pond. This is a popular family fishing hole, and there's a concrete ADA ramp leading down to the water. Other fishing stations are designated by number. Instead of heading right on the West Pond Trail, which often floods in winter/spring, cross the 10-foot wide Inatay Bridge, and make a right on the higher, gravel East Pond Trail. A ramp leads to a fishing platform here.
Fairview Creek flows down to the right under a canopy of willow. Bear left at the southwest corner of East Pond, now mostly hidden by a dense growth of willow and red osier dogwood; the path is bordered with cottonwood and Douglas-fir plantings. From this side of the pond, you can get good views to Silver Star Mountain. At an apartment complex, there's a parking area off of Glisan where 10 spots are reserved for visitors to the natural area. Pass the John Pettis Dock: a flock of hungry mallards lives here and will gladly welcome your presence. Coots will scoot away to keep a distance. Look for signs of beaver activity. Then walk along the east shore, which is fringed by ash, willow, and rustling cottonwoods, to pass colorful signs detailing the local wildlife. You'll reach a junction at a restroom, which may be locked, and go right on the Salish Ponds Trail.
Walk under powerlines into a wetland of ash trees, willow, teasel, and cattails. Some transient trails lead off the main path. The trail crosses a footbridge and follows Fairview Creek under Fairview Parkway into a willow/ash/oak swale. Then the path runs along the edge of a large parking area for a Target store before diving back into a woodland of Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, oak, hazel, and vine maple. Skunk-cabbage and false hellebore flourish in the boggy areas. You'll cross a footbridge over Fairview Creek and pass under cedars and oaks. At a junction, a narrow, muddy trail leads right into ash and oak woods and fetches up at Woodland Elementary School.
Return to the main trail, and go right. After you cross a covered pedestrian bridge (Alex Brown’s Bridge), you'll enter Fairview Community Park. Across the street, Park Lane, is Fairview City Hall. Paved paths and a sidewalk take you around this small, shady area, which has play structures, picnic tables, benches, and some chainsaw sculptures.
Returning, head along the north shore of the two ponds, crossing the Inatay Bridge between them to reach the trailhead.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Dogs on leash
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Trails and Parks (City of Fairview)
- Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge - West #428S
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Salish Ponds Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Salish Ponds Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Discovering Portland Parks by Owen Wozniak
More Links
- Salish Ponds Wetland Park (City of Fairview)
- Community Park (City of Fairview)
- Salish Ponds (Oregon Runs)
- “Salish Ponds restoration project to start this fall after a year of delays” (OregonLive)
- Getting Youth Hooked on Fishing and the Outdoors (U.S. fish & wildlife Service)
- Fishing at Salish Ponds in Fairview (2024 Update) (Best Fishing in America)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)