29 min
Overview
Forested hills and pastures once characterized this area of Happy Valley, but the city has seen exponential growth towards its eastern borders, and rank upon rank of large, multi-story homes now cloak these heights. There are still slivers of nature to be found, however, and a number of trails and short connector paths, planned during the residential platting, allow for a combination of off- and on-street walking. This loop takes you down the West Fork of Rock Creek and then uses streets and paved trails, with views south to the Clackamas River valley and the heights above Oregon City, to loop back through Sunrise Heights. Take the short paved trail that leads out to 152nd Drive. Go right on 152nd for about 40 yards, and find the chip path (the Shadow Ridge Trail) leading down to the West Fork of Rock Creek. This is an undulating trail along the south bank of the creek. Some restoration work has been done here, and there are plantings of native maples, hazel, alder, willow, and ponderosa pine. Tall Douglas-firs rear above. Paths lead off to the right into neighborhoods. Descend to the creek level under maples with a carpet of sword fern and Oregon grape. A path leads left to cross the creek and head up to Monner Road. Walk through an open area under powerlines and pass a bench. A rock wall lines the trail on one side, and soon you’ll notice small rock weirs on the creek. Near private property, the path rises to join a paved trail. When you reach a sidewalk, go left for about 110 yards down Palermo Avenue, passing new homes. Cross Palermo and, at a green post, find a paved path leading uphill. The path crosses Chelsea Morning Drive, offering a view south towards the Clackamas River valley, and reaches a junction. Go left here, taking several sets of stairs down to cross 157th Avenue. Several more steps and a switchback deliver you to basketball hoops and a play area. When you reach Peace Court, walk out to Blackstone Avenue, and then go right to Misty Drive. Go left on Misty, and follow this road up, crossing
Trail Stats
0.0 km
143 m
0 m
0 m
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Photos
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400px-ShadowRidgeMap
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