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The Old Growth Loop |
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Distance: 3.4 miles round trip Travel time to trailhead: 25 minutes Walk duration: 2 hours 15 minutes Conditions: Nice logging road, well maintained, no steep inclines... Total elevation change: 300 ft. Mostly level walking some ascents at the far end of the loop and on the Old growth path. Brief summary: Lovely walk with open vistas, possibility to see some game, and the new trail through the Old growth Stand. ___________________________________________________ This is one of the best “unknown” trails of the NW portion of the West Hills. It’s technically not part of the Park system, although it Access: You can reach this walk by driving 25 minutes north on US 30, through Linnton to the town of Burlington, about 15 miles from downtown Portland. Park your car near the gate, leaving room to allow passage should foresters need access with their work vehicles. You’ll find the logging road to be wide and well maintained and furthermore it’s reasonable level making for a not-too-strenuous walk. The gate is at about 300 ft. elevation and the road dips to about 200 ft. in the first draw you dip in and out of. Around the next bend the road forks. The upper road will take you to the Old Growth more directly proceeding along the south flank of the ridge you just rounded and into the back of the valley where the tall satnd of old trees is clearly visible from a distance. I prefer to go the long way, using the lower trail that dips down to 150 ft in the next draw and then climbs to follow the contour of the hill at about 350 ft for another mile. At the far end the road leads through an open pasture area that extends along the lower reaches of this hillside.
A dirt road in the far distance is connected with the Angell Brothers quarry located just over the next ridge. At this point the road loops back and ascends gradually to about 600 ft, before dropping down into the ravine that holds the Old Growth timber. Note the beautiful broken top old growth Douglas Fir on your left as you descend from the high point, it’s often been used as an eyrie by the Bald Eagles that frequent this area. As you approach the bottom of the ravine and the big trees stand directly in front of you, Enjoy this walk on a sunny day when the open landscape allow you to enjoy the sun and the vistas. But the Old Growth trail is reason enough to visit this trail any time of year.
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does contain a property deeded to Forest Park that contains the last stand of “Old Growth Forest” in the Portland area. It was purchased through the myriad donations made to the Friends of Forest Park in the 1980’s to purchase this last stand of ancient timbers from Hampton Lumber company.For many years the grove was left untouched but recently, through the continued efforts of the Friends of Forest Park a very nice trail has been lovingly laced through the virgin timbers, twisting and turning amongst the stately tall trees for about a third of a mile. It’s well worth the hike to visit this stately grove.
After passing through the hamlet, (and within sight of the traffic light that markes the intersection with Cornelius Pass Road) you will see a road bending up the slope to your left, that’s McNamee Rd. Follow this for a short bit, passing under a railroad trestle around a couple of sharp turns and then turn into the first side road bending off to the left. This is the entrance to the Hampton forest acreage, which harbors the Old Growth Stand.
you’ll spot a small trail branching off the left and traversing the hillside into the stand of timber. This is the new trail constructed to provide access to this stand of timber in the 1980’s. The trail is a labor of love, with hand carved bridges, and steps guiding you through the fragile forest floor. It’s a pretty special place and one that’s worth stopping in to catch your breath and “smell the roses”. If the follow the twisted contours of this special path it will eventually drop you back on the same logging road we were on before. It emerges at the base of the ravine where the road turn to ascend the northen side of the ravine. Follow this gradually sloping road, 
passing a spur that leads further up the slope before dead-ending in the brambles. Another quarter mile brings you back to the juncture with the “lower” road that we came in on. Double back along the road another quarter mile to the gate. On your way you may notice a small side trail dropping off to the right just after the intersection we just mentioned. This steep little path leads down to the railroad tracks and a big trestle bridge that it crosses. Beyond it are private dwellings, whose inhabitants perhaps have made the trail...