36 min
Overview
This hike in Metro's Mount Talbert Nature Park stays on the Park Loop Trail around the lower slopes of the Boring volcano and avoids the viewless summit of Mount Talbert. You can do the hike from either the Mather Road Trailhead or Sunnyside Road Trailhead, but this description is from the northern trailhead at Sunnyside Road. The public land here was purchased via a Metro Open Spaces Bond Measure, and the park was officially opened in 2007. Additional land on the north side of the butte was added in 2010. Trails are well-marked, but since it’s a Metro park, dogs are not permitted. Mount Talbert is probably named after Francis Talbert, who in 1852 established a Donation Land Claim of 300 acres on the north side of the butte. Other members of the Talbert family settled nearby. The well-built gravel trail starts rather steeply down from the tiny parking area. There's a wide footbridge over Mount Scott Creek, and then the trail works its way up under red alder, cedar, and Douglas-fir with a sword fern understory. Stinging nettles sprout along the trail verges. Ascend a single switchback to the junction with the Cedar Park Trail. At the junction, you'll see the first of the handy trail maps that adorn the posts at all trail junction in the park. Turn right here to stay on the Sunnyside Road Trail. Soon the trail changes from the graveled surface to a muddy tread as it enters the forest. This area was logged in the early years of the 20th century, but has been relatively unspoiled since then. The forest has matured into an open stand of Douglas-firs and cedars. The understory is dominated by sword ferns, and trilliums are common in the spring. The trail climbs to a junction with the Park Loop Trail. Head left (southward) on the Park Loop Trail. This part of the trail is an old road, and the walking is a little easier. After a quarter mile or so of the firs, you'll enter an area of oak forest. The Douglas-firs in this area have been cut down to create an oak forest ecosystem. Look for oaks toothwort and stream vio
Trail Stats
0.0 km
181 m
181 m
0 m
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Photos
400px-MountTalbertPerimeterLoopMap
400px-MountTalbertPerimeterLoopMap
250px-MtTalbertTrillium
250px-MtTalbertTrillium
250px-MtTalbertMap
250px-MtTalbertMap
250px-TalbertQueen
250px-TalbertQueen
400px-Cedar_woods%2C_Sunnyside_Road_Trail%2C_Mt
400px-Cedar_woods%2C_Sunnyside_Road_Trail%2C_Mt