Lillian Small/The Mossy Log
Despite Portland’s perpetual temperate and drizzly weather, the landscape of the region offers incredible access to exploration by foot, bike or car. Navigating without a car is one of the best ways to get to know the area and truly appreciate its plants, animals, infrastructure and people. While Lewis & Clark’s campus has an enormous number of nooks and crannies to enjoy the natural world, it can be incredibly rewarding and refreshing to see the beauty and diversity of the greater Portland area.
For those still adapting to the weather of the Pacific Northwest, going outside can seem daunting or even hostile — being cold, wet and muddy is not always fun. However, there are ways to mitigate discomfort and get the most out of the adventure you want to experience. The name of the game in temperature regulation is keeping dry, which means from the outside (rain), but also from the inside (sweat). By wearing several layers — the more lightweight the better — you are able to adapt to your body temperature and activity. This works whether you are working up a sweat or eating lunch and cooling down. I like to have a base-layer of some sort, a mid-layer fleece or puffy coat, and a raincoat for any extended outing. Finding the clothes that keep you warm and comfortable does not have to be expensive, and oftentimes high-quality gear can be found at secondhand stores.
The first outing I would suggest is the Downtown Waterfront Loop. I recommend walking (or biking) this loop to anyone spending time in Portland, as it offers a scenic urban path that highlights Portland’s nickname, “city of bridges,” and the Willamette River. From the loop, you can turn off to check out neighborhoods that offer unique charms. While the entire loop is over 10 miles, you can choose which portions you would like to walk depending on what parts of the city you want to explore. From LC, you can walk down through the River View Cemetery and find the paved and protected trail along the Willamette right before the Sellwood Bridge. Heading north, you will pass through Willamette Park and South Waterfront Park until you reach the Steel Bridge. After crossing the bridge, head south on the other side of the river, passing OMSI, and entering the Springwater Corridor, taking you to Sellwood River Front Park, where you can cross the Sellwood Bridge and come back the way you came.
Another fun place to hike is the Springwater Corridor, which you can access by crossing the Sellwood Bridge via the cemetery, and from the bridge, take a left towards the Sellwood Riverfront Park. The corridor is a multiuse trail that spans the east side of the Willamette River between the Ross Island Bridge and Sellwood Bridge, then goes east through Portland, Gresham and ends in Boring, Oregon. The trail connects directly to parks and main roads, while also delivering a stunning view of Mount Hood when heading east. Along the waterfront portion, the trail passes through Oaks Bottom Refuge, the Willamette on one side and marshland on the other. Sellwood Riverfront Park, a few blocks away from the Sellwood Bridge, is another point along the trail to stop and enjoy views of Portland’s skyline from the waterfront, a perfect place to take a dip in the river, lounge on the docks or fish. The trail turns away from the water at this point, taking you through Sellwood, passing the beloved Goodwill outlet store on Southeast Ochoco Street. From here, the trail takes you through the bustling billboards and buildings of the city, to forested bridges over creeks, graffitied factories and even bucolic stretches of open fields.
There are a plethora of hikes along the iconic Columbia River Gorge, only a 45-minute drive from LC. Every season brings out unique beauty in the gorge area, including the colder and wetter months. Driving along Interstate 84 follows the Columbia River and boasts gorgeous views. For an even more scenic journey, drivers and cyclists can use the Historic Columbia River Highway, the very first scenic highway to be built in the nation. The Hood River Transportation District also provides a public transportation service, Columbia Area Transit, that has a stop in Portland and can take you to stops along the gorge, including Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks and Hood River.
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, and the largest waterfall in Oregon, is Multnomah Falls. If you are visiting the falls at almost any time of year, expect the trail to be crowded with tourists. At the base of the waterfall is a gift shop and coffee cart where there are personalized keychains and pocketknifes galore. Though you can see the waterfall without hiking much, the top is only 1 mile of switchbacks and definitely worth the view.
Just a couple miles south of Multnomah Falls is Latourell Falls, an easy 2-mile hike with views of the gorge, moss-laden forest and, of course, Latourell Falls, the third tallest in the gorge.
Another spectacular trail with waterfall views is the Eagle Creek Trail. This trail goes on for about 15 miles, but there are plenty of waterfalls and turnoffs along the way to choose from as a destination point. This trailhead can get busy and requires a Northwest Forest Pass, so plan accordingly. Lower Punchbowl Falls is the first turnoff after 1.7 miles, and at 3.3 miles you will reach High Bridge, built over a ravine of Eagle Creek. There are even more waterfalls and campsites further down the trail for those seeking an ambitious day hike or overnight trip.
In addition to the trails above, there are so many more just within the Portland metro area to check out that can provide a beautiful outdoor excursion within the city. Some other honorable mentions include: Tryon Creek State Natural Area, Mount Tabor Park, Laurelhurst Park and the Portland Japanese Garden. Ultimately, Portland’s natural areas are a wonderful resource for any PDX resident, so lace up your boots! There are plenty more places to explore.
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