Memorial Park to Boones Ferry Landing Hike

Overview

While Daniel Boone of Revolutionary War and Kentucky frontier fame never set foot in Oregon, some of his descendants did. A grandson, Colonel Alphonso Boone, established a 24-hour ferry service across the Willamette River in what is now Wilsonville. His son, Jesse, soon took over the operation. The ferry operated for 107 years until the completion of the Interstate 5 bridge here in 1954. This hike takes you to that historic site, but begins in Wilsonville's 126-acre Memorial Park, which, despite offering Wilsonville Parks' entire slate of athletic facilities, also fronts on the Willamette and protects riverside forest and a riparian corridor along Boeckman Creek. Wilsonville is a young city, incorporated in 1968, and Memorial Park was established the very next year. Walk from the parking area towards the restrooms and then down to a nut-drying shed for walnuts. Behind the shed is the restored Stein Homestead Barn, originally constructed at the turn of the 20th century. A sign details the design and history. From here, go right down a bluff on a wide gravel path under oaks and maples. The trail reaches the level of Boeckman Creek, where you take a left on a spur that leads up the creek: note that the path can be muddy. Skunk-cabbage blooms here in early spring, and you'll reach a small weir. Return the way you came, and cross the creek to go left past a modern barn to a road. Make a left on the road, following signs for the off-leash area. Meet a trail that heads off from a parking area to the fenced dog run. The trail continues into the woods along Boeckman Creek, which is down to the left: the forest cover includes big-leaf maple, Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, hazel, blackberry, and holly. The path reenters woods and crosses a wide pedestrian bridge over the creek before winding up and reaching a small parking area on a quiet residential street (S.W. Rose Lane). Return over the bridge and go left on a trail across a large meadow area that is east of the dog park. Hike straight into the woods at a four-way

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Photos

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