Mount Pisgah Arboretum Loop Hike

Overview

The Mount Pisgah Arboretum encompasses 209 acres on the west slope of Mount Pisgah with its west boundary as the Coast Fork Willamette River south of the latter’s confluence with the Middle Fork Willamette. The Arboretum, which was established in 1973, was originally conceived to be international in its displays, but soon evolved to focus on local species. A network of seven miles of trails traverses open slopes, forest, wetlands, and the east bank of the Coast Fork. This outer loop takes you to all of these habitats. Note that poison oak is abundant here in the oak savannas and dense mixed woodland. Walk up to top (east side) of the parking area, and pass a brown gate and kiosk to reach the junction of Trails #1 and #17. Keep right on Trail #1, which leads eventually to the summit of Mount Pisgah (see the Mount Pisgah West Loop Hike). Pass a planting of ponderosa pines as you rise rather steeply on the wide gravel tread and enter oak/maple woods. You’ll see the Arboretum’s picnic area below near a creek. Pass one junction, and keep ascending steeply past spring-blooming irises. A picturesque oak savanna bowl opens up before you. Reach another unsigned junction under the powerlines, and head down the slope to your right. Switchback down twice, and cross two footbridges over small creeks flowing through the oaks. At a four-way junction, keep straight on the Boundary Trail past a bench, and hike along an old road bed. Step over a lush camas-lined creek at a colorful slope of spring gold desert parsley and rosy plectritis. Reach a wide trail, and make a left into a maple/Douglas-fir forest. At an open meadow, go left at another junction to take the Upper Plateau Trail up around the eastern rim of the meadow. You’ll see more irises blooming here in spring. At a junction, head down to the right, and switchback to a four-way junction. For a small detour from the loop, go straight on the Buford Trail to an interactive installation celebrating the natural history of the place (Turn the key in the silver tree to le

Trail Stats

Photos

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