Mount Scott Loop Hike

Overview

The Mt. Scott Nature Trail is a 1.1 mile wooded loop along the southeast slope of 1,090 foot Mount Scott, the highest point in east Portland. However, the construction of a new trail, inaugurated in November 2013, allows access to higher elevations on the Happy Valley side of Mount Scott and a longer walk with a few expansive views. From Greiner Lane, head down a grassy path to a junction as you enter a patch of woodland. Keep right here and pass a bench to hike along an old road bed on the level. The canopy here is formed of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, some grand fir, and red alder. Soon reach the unsigned junction with the new Studebaker Trail, which heads up through a thicket of sour cherry, hazel, Indian plum, Douglas-fir, and elderberry. Keep going on the road however to a gully where a tributary of Mount Scott Creek spills down the slope. Look down to a couple of rusting relics, one an old pickup. These have had the blackberries cleared off them and now serve as trailside sculpture. Return to the Studebaker Trail and wind up. Alder logs have been placed for steps, and a spur leads left to the creek. Continuing up the Studebaker Trail on more steps, the trail switchbacks where the creek passes through a deeply buried culvert. At a junction, bear right and follow the path out to a driveway. Then turn right to head out to Solomon Court: down to your right and across the road is the Solomon Court Trailhead with just enough space for two cars if you decide to begin the hike here. It's worth walking down here to get a great view of Mount Hood, however. From the trail access, keep left up Solomon Court to reach Idleman Road. Bear left on Idleman, cross Hillside Drive, and two houses later, find the paved path leading left. After you cross the cul-de-sac at the end of Pheasant Ridge Drive, continue on the paved path to reach Quail Run Drive. Here, make a left and then a right on Hillside Drive. When you go right at the T-junction with Hilltop Court, look for the Grayhawk Ridge neighborhood sign. Behind thi

Trail Stats

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