Exploring the Pacific Greenway: from Portland to the Coast

Firelane 2 & 3 Loop

 

FT3 & Maple

“Portland Wilderness Walks” by Jim Thayer and published by Timber press will be released in the Spring of 2008. It will describe this trail in detail including professional maps, photos, comprehensive coverage of the fauna, flora and history of the area.

I have retained a brief summary of the walks on this site along with the my original maps, but would urge the interested hiker to purchase the book as it contains a much more in-depth coverage of directions and the context of each of the walks. Moreover there is much more in the book that will give more meaning to these walks than could possibly be conveyed by these funky GPS generated maps. The experience of finding, recording and understanding the significance of these walks brought me a whole new understanding of how important the wild outskirts of Portland are to our culture and to our heritage. And my hope is to acquaint you not only with some exquisite wilderness hikes, but perhaps also a new way to consider the importance of what lies on the outskirts of our fair city.

Us this site for easily downloadable rudimentary maps, but do consider investing in the book (it’s designed to fit in your pocket) for a more thorough and meaningful look at these forests. - Jim Thayer

Distance:  4.5 miles round trip

Walk duration: 2.5 hours

Travel time to trailhead: 20 minutes

Brief summary: Relatively accessible, close in walk, with little traffic on all but the Wildwood trail segment. This is one of my favorite walks in the fog and rain. It is reasonably close-in and the trail is pretty good overall. Amidst tall stands of Douglas fir, this trail affords mysterious glimpses down the slopes between the stately trunks into the deep forest below. The portion of the Wildwood that heads south to Fire Lane 2 twists in and out of deep ravines with at least two really impressive “older growth” Douglas Firs standing alongside the trail with diameters in excess of 6 feet! The Upper Maple trail sports a beautiful mixed conifer forest with Hemlock, Cedar, Douglas fir and Vine Maple presenting a brilliant panorama in the fall.