SW ~ Terwilliger Boulevard North

Date visited: February 16, 2006
Agency: Portland Parks and Recreation (for more info on parks, click here)
Path Surface: Paved
Elevation gain/loss: 300 ft
Distance: 7 miles round trip
Ratings: Setting ++ Calorie-burning ++++
Directions: A good starting place is from Burlingame Terrace if you are driving. From downtown Portland, take SW Barbur Blvd south and turn right on Capitol Hwy. At the first light, turn left onto Terwilliger. Drive .2 mile and turn right on Burlingame Terrace and park. The trail is on the east side of Terwilliger.

Pretty views, pretty scenery and a nice, wide path provide the opportunity for working off a few calories.

If you want the full mileage, turn south from your start point at the George Himes Memorial Rock. It’s .4 mile to Barbur Blvd–half of which is simply sidewalk. But there is a big hill ahead, so if you are happy with that, turn north on the wide black asphalt path. Himes Park extends down the hill to your right and several forest birds can be seen here. We heard the harsh notes of several Stellar’s Jays.

After .4 mile from the “rock,” you reach Elk Point with its concrete totem pole and views of the Willamette. Don’t come up here hungry because the savory scents from the Charthouse Restaurant will certainly have your mouth watering. Then start a long downhill stretch which winds along the bluff with surprisingly few views of the city below. Continue just more than 2 miles, passing by the Duniway Park lilac garden, to a stone building that formerly served as a restroom. Return as you came (yes, up that hill) or take a short cut through the park onto a dirt path that climbs much more quickly but cuts nearly a half mile off the distance.