12 min
Overview
A couple of noncontiguous stretches of the Willamette River Greenway in West Linn offer quiet respite from the busy streets above, and the whole walk takes you to five West Linn parks. You are always within sight of the river as you walk under the Oregon City Bridge and then the I-205 bridge. You'll pass the historic McLean House and then amble along River Drive before entering the lush mixed forest in Maddax Woods and Burnside Park. A loop option takes you through the historic Bolton Neighborhood of West Linn before descending to Maddax Woods. If you begin this loop at the Maddax Woods Trailhead, you'll get a shorter version of the outing at about 2.1 miles. An optional, short backtrack from the parking pullout on Territorial Drive takes you 50 yards up the narrow road to a trail that leads down rough stairs and a fixed step ladder to a public fishing dock. However, there's no really good view of Willamette Falls, which is blocked by the buildings of the West Linn Paper Company. Follow Territorial Drive under the 1922 Oregon City Bridge, designed by renowned architect Conde McCullough. The street passes a power pylon, several blufftop dwellings, and a staircase that leads up to Willamette Drive. At the last house, you'll see a sign for the Willamette River Greenway where it leads into undeveloped West Bridge Park. Rustling maples and cottonwoods shade the track before you pass under I-205 and its entrance/exit ramps. The trail ends at the McLean House, a historic city-owned home that is rented out for special events. However, casual visitors are welcome to explore the surrounding garden, with its gazebo, rose garden, and giant sequoia. The house was built in 1927 by Dr. Edward McLean, who practiced all over Clackamas County as a country physician. From the McLean House, you'll be following River Drive for 0.6 miles. This area of large riverfront homes that own their own shoreline was known historically as Lonesome Bottom. The street crosses a couple of creeks and, past Burns Street, becomes a cul-de-sac w
Trail Stats
0.0 km
60 m
50 m
0 m
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Photos
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