Iowa Hill Loop Hike

Overview

The Chehalem Mountains, an uplifted set of hills at the north end of the Willamette Valley, have long seen intense human activity, from the burns conducted by the Atfalati (Northern Kalapuya) people to the more intensive and logging and farming practices of Euro-American settlers. In 2010, Metro purchased 1,260 acres along the crest of the Chehalem Hills from Stimson Lumber, most of which was a 15-30 year-old Douglas-fir plantation. The park, which became Metro’s second-largest property after the Smith and Bybee Wetlands, was finally opened to the public in December 2021. An extensive but well-graded trail system was put in place, and some work has been done towards restoring the remaining natural areas. The series of shorter nature trails emanating from the Chehalem Ridge Trailhead are described here; for the longer out and back hike that takes you north along the ridge, see the Chehalem Ridge Hike. From the information kiosk and large map at the trailhead, bear right to reach the junction with the Woodland Trail and a display narrating the Kalapuyan story of the Three Elders. A metal sculpture of the first elder is here; this hike will take you to the two others. Elderberry blooms in the understory below in the spring, and tarweed, lupine, and checkermallow bloom here in the summer. Drop down Timber Road into a Douglas-fir plantation, passing another large map. After crossing a small creek, head up to the left on the Castor Trail, which switchbacks into the evenly spaced conifers. Soon you’ll come to the Woodland Trail, where you should turn right. (As at all trail junctions, there’s a small map on the signpost.) Soon, the well-graded trail crosses a grassy opening with a few large oak trees along its edges. Keep left at a connector that leads down to Timber Road, and loop back to recross the meadow. A clearing in the dark woods has been replanted with grand fir and western hemlock. The trail crosses an open corridor fringed by oaks and a madrone and then passes another tie trail to Timber Road. Now you’ll

Trail Stats

Photos

400px-IowaHillLoopMap

400px-IowaHillLoopMap

250px-The_third_elder%2C_Ammefu_Trail%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

250px-The_third_elder%2C_Ammefu_Trail%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

250px-Lorquin%27s_admiral_%28Limenitis_lorquini%29%2C_Ammefu_Trail%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

250px-Lorquin%27s_admiral_%28Limenitis_lorquini%29%2C_Ammefu_Trail%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

250px-Cedar_grove_bench%2C_Ayeekwa_Trail%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

250px-Cedar_grove_bench%2C_Ayeekwa_Trail%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

250px-Iowa_Hill_oak%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

250px-Iowa_Hill_oak%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

400px-Calypso_orchid%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

400px-Calypso_orchid%2C_Chehalem_Ridge

TKO put tools to trail here.png

TKO put tools to trail here.png

Tags