Marquam Trail to Council Crest Hike

Overview

Wending its way through a patchwork of city parks and greenspaces, the Marquam Trail stretches over five miles through peaceful, secluded forests in Southwest Portland. As part of the city's 40-Mile Loop trail system, it connects the Terwilliger Trail in the south with the Wildwood Trail to the north. This Field Guide entry details the southern portion of the trail, from the Marquam Trailhead on Terwilliger Boulevard to Council Crest. The majority of the hike is in the Marquam Nature Park, and the upper third of it is on a section of trail that is also part of the Council Crest Hike, a shorter hike which begins from a different trailhead. Easily one of Portland's best close-in hikes, the Marquam Trail is as pleasant as any in the West Hills and, on clear days, features an outstanding five-mountain view from Council Crest Park, once the site of a popular amusement park. The hike has about 1,100 feet of total elevation gain, so it's perfect for anyone looking for a good workout without expending the time or gas to reach hikes farther afield. It's also a perfect winter hike for those rainy, foggy days when you can't buy a view in the Columbia Gorge. Bonus: The trilliums are outstanding in early spring! Starting from the Marquam Trailhead, the trail climbs through dense forest that feels secluded even though it's within a stone's throw of OHSU. Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, and big-leaf maples dominate the canopy at this point, and vine maple and Indian plum leaf out in the understory in the spring. Head up along a shallow gully, and cross a couple of streams. Look for blooming trilliums and violets in spring. Keep right at the Marquam-Flicker Trail Lower Junction, and follow the trail as it drops above a gully and then crosses a large footbridge over a creek supporting a salmonberry thicket. Head up along another gully, and then drop again to cross a second footbridge. Switchback up the opposite slope, and come to the four-way Marquam-Flicker Trail Upper Junction: Going right will take you to a minor trailhea

Trail Stats

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