Marshall Park Hike

Overview

Marshall Park was once the site of a quarry, but the land was restored by Frederick and Addie Marshall as a natural area and then donated to the City of Portland in 1951. The 26-acre park encloses an upper section of the Tryon Creek drainage, and it's possible to hike down the watercourse into the Tryon Creek State Natural Area and eventually hook up with the main trail system there. A short 0.8 mile loop in the northern section of the park is best for families with young children. This loop includes a new playground, installed in 2015, a stone bridge over Tryon Creek, a newer 2010 bridge, and views of the Marshall Cascades, a tumbling falls best seen in the wet season. A southern lollipop loop of 2.3 miles is for the more adventurous, and you'll need proper hiking boots in the winter and spring. You'll cross Maplecrest Drive and hike into an undeveloped section of the Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Loop back along Arnold Street and 11th Drive. Trails here can get extremely muddy in winter and spring, and you may have to ford Tryon Creek. The entire area is within a shady forested canyon with small creeks never far away. Walking directions are given from the trailhead on 12th Drive. Those taking public transport should access the trail system from the trailhead on 18th Place. From 12th Drive, find the trail leading down under Douglas-firs and cedars towards the new play area. Make a left between the play structures and a picnic area to cross Tryon Creek on a small stone bridge. Make a right at a junction, and switchback up four times along a split-rail fence. The trail continues along the steep bluff above Tryon Creek next to a cyclone fence. Stay right at the first junction; at another junction, bear right, and switchback down three times to cross Tryon Creek on a wide wooden footbridge installed in 2010. Make a left after crossing. To your left are the Marshall Cascades, where Tryon Creek splashes attractively down a series of rock steps. The trail heads right up a set of steps and then switchbacks to trave

Trail Stats

Photos

400px-MarshallParkMap

400px-MarshallParkMap

160px-Marshall_Park_cascades

160px-Marshall_Park_cascades

250px-Jewel_weed_%28Impatiens_capensis%29%2C_below_Marshall_Park

250px-Jewel_weed_%28Impatiens_capensis%29%2C_below_Marshall_Park

250px-Play_area%2C_Marshall_Park

250px-Play_area%2C_Marshall_Park

400px-Marshall_Park_bridge

400px-Marshall_Park_bridge

Tags