Tualatin River Wetland Loop Hike

Overview

This loop allows a more extensive tour of the Atfalat'i Unit of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, but it is open from late spring through the summer only. The walking is along service roads, but gives access to excellent birdwatching opportunities in the thickets along Chicken Creek and the ditch that leads back towards the refuge Wildlife Center. By 2020, a project should be completed to restore Chicken Creek to its original meandering course after it had been diverted to a large ditch that leads straight to the Tualatin River. This will also create one large 280-acre wetland on the western side of the Atfalat'i Unit. Brochures and bird check lists are usually available at the large map kiosk for the Atfalat'i Unit. See the Tualatin Refuge Nature Trail Hike for the all-year hiking opportunities in the refuge. Take the gravel service road down the hill from the parking lot past the outside restroom. There’s a cottonwood-rimmed pond on the right, while large oaks shade the roadway. You can see the nature trail to the right. The road curves to the left past a wooded copse, and then curves to the right following the shores of the large marsh. In late spring, killdeers may try to distract walkers away from their nests on the ground. The nature trail parallels the road on the right. On your left is a young plantation of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and maple. You can go over to a large viewing platform over the Tualatin River on the right. Fawn lilies and poison oak clothe the steep banks. You'll note a large, drying pond and recent plantings on the left, and then the road swings to the left with a wall of native woodland on the right. Douglas-fir, oaks, and maples dominate here. The road bends to the right and at a junction, keep right (going left cuts across the unit for a shorter loop). See the photo blind, cross Chicken Creek, and cross the blind trail (reservations only). You will see plantings of pine, maple and grand fir in this area, with the thickly wooded area to the right. Pass the large wetlan

Trail Stats

Photos

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