Mill Creek Greenway Hike

Overview

Development of the natural corridor along Mill Creek in Woodburn has been a work in progress. A master plan was approved in 2006, and the first mile of paved and gravel trail was finished in 2011. Plans call for gradual development of the trail system for another three miles to the city’s northern limits. The most notable feature of the completed section is Hermanson Pond, and this section ends at the old downtown of Woodburn, where you’ll see an historic locomotive. You can walk down Young Street to take a second section of the greenway north to Lincoln Street. Mill Creek itself is a tributary of the Pudding River, which it joins north of Woodburn in Aurora. Take the gravel path past a spreading willow, and reach a wetland colonized by reed canarygrass. The trail follows the shores of Hermanson Pond with its pair of islets. In the fall, hundreds of cackling geese alight here and make a constant hubbub. You may also see large Canada geese as well as the resident flock of domestic mallards. At the far end of the lake is a viewing platform. Keep right at a junction, and walk along under a line of ash trees to cross Wilson Street. The trail is now paved. With Mill Creek to your left, cross an open grassy area and come to Stark Street. Across Stark, you are now on the east side of the creek. Pass a playground, and reach Marshall Street. Go right on the sidewalk and, at the junction with Cleveland Street, make a left. The Union Pacific Railroad embankment is across the road. At the intersection with Brown Street, you’ll see another parking area for the Mill Creek Greenway. Across Brown, the Greenway resumes again. A tributary of Mill Creek runs to your left, and the trail turns uphill in a grassy expanse with a lone maple. Note the nutria trails leading through the grass. When you reach Cleveland Street again, walk a few yards to your left, and then cross the street and railroad tracks at the water tower. Behind the water tower is the Southern Pacific 1785 Locomotive exhibit. This 1902 steam locomotive has been

Trail Stats

Photos

250px-MillCreekGreenwayMap

250px-MillCreekGreenwayMap

250px-The_1785_Locomotive%2C_Mill_Creek_Greenway

250px-The_1785_Locomotive%2C_Mill_Creek_Greenway

250px-Ash-lined_trail%2C_Mill_Creek_Greenway

250px-Ash-lined_trail%2C_Mill_Creek_Greenway

400px-Cackling_geese%2C_Hermanson_Pond%2C_Mill_Creek_Greenway

400px-Cackling_geese%2C_Hermanson_Pond%2C_Mill_Creek_Greenway

Tags