3 min
Overview
Ruth Bascom, Eugene’s first woman mayor, served in that office from 1993 to 1996. Part of her legacy is the Riverbank Trail System, a combination of four paved trails (North Bank Path, South Bank Path, West Bank Path, and East Bank Path) that link together along both sides of the Willamette River in Eugene. The loop described here takes in most of that system, following the river as it bends north, passing under road bridges but connecting to the opposite bank using several bicycle/pedestrian bridges. There are a series of parks on the south bank, highlighted by Skinner Butte Park. On the east bank, you’ll pass through the old gravel pits turned wetlands at Delta Ponds and also hike the north riverbank at Eugene’s largest developed park, Alton Baker Park. This description begins at the Alton Baker Park Trailhead. From the parking area, walk out towards the Willamette River past covered picnic shelters. Turn left on the North Bank Path, and hike under tall cottonwoods. There’s a dirt path closer to the river that leads to a boat launch. From a four-way intersection north of the boat ramp, keep heading east. There’s an island in the river to your right, and another path leads left to the University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium. Wind through a riparian forest of Douglas-fir, maple, and cottonwood. You’ll see a “talking stone”, Camafeema (meaning ferns on the ground in the Kalapuya language), to your left. Pass under the Frohnmayer Bridge, and then circle left to cross the bridge, from which you’ll get views up and down the river. Keep straight when you reach the University of Oregon’s Riverfront Field, and then turn right on the South Bank Path. Cross a grassy expanse, and get a view ahead to Skinner Butte and the Ya-Po-Ah Terrace, the tallest building in central Eugene. Cross the gully formed by the Mill Race, and keep straight above the river where a new park is being created from an old industrial development. Pass by the River Edge Public Plaza at the Eugene Water & Electric Board, and then walk under the Pet
Trail Stats
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15 m
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Photos
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