Takena Landing Hike

Overview

The City of Albany has trails on both sides of the Willamette River: the path described here runs along an old road bed that can be very soggy at times. While invasives like blackberry and ivy dominate the undergrowth, big cottonwoods tower above and you have a good chance of seeing one of the deer that like to graze the fairways of the neighboring golf course. This trail, mostly wood chips and maintained by volunteers, is a great escape for families, but take care here after dark as the area can attract transients in the summer months. This park is actually in North Albany and the walk proceeds along the river with limited views of the water. Big-leaf maples shade the grassy area near the parking lot and boat launch. The trailhead is under the Highway 20 road bridge. The 1.7 mile trail is sometimes called the Eagle Trail as well as the Takena Landing Trail. Cottonwoods, ash and willows partially obscure views of the Willamette. There is a tangle of blackberries everywhere. Towards the golf course on the left side are more Douglas-firs, but many are cloaked in ivy. The trail is very wide - an old road bed. Across the river is a former industrial area undergoing some refurbishment. White oak, walnut, and grand fir also contribute to the forest mix with the undergrowth mainly Armenian blackberry, trailing blackberry, hazel, and thimbleberry. Pass under the Southern Pacific railroad trestle. There are short paths at various places down to the river bank. Cross an old road access to the river and continue walking between thickets of blackberry. Bowman Park, with its boat launch, is across the river in Albany. A short trail gives access to the willow-choked river bank, where you can look for great blue herons on the verge and osprey flapping above. Note the large black cottonwoods at this end of the trail, while red osier dogwood and reed canary grass grow in profusion close to the river. Reach a junction, the loop at the end of the trail, and bear right, dropping down to where the trail can be completely flooded

Trail Stats

Photos

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