Powell Butte Urban Hike

We got out Sunday to do what has become a Christmas tradition. We did an urban hike of Powell Butte and then going to a Christmas open house put on by one of the Mazama Ramble leaders. We had pretty good weather with no rain, no wind and mild winter temperatures but cloudy skies so no views. Powell Butte is a nice winter urban hike in the Portland area as it has good trails, a variety of terrain and even when cloudy some views of the area. Doing the loop only took an hour and half and was around 4.5 miles and 500 ft total elevation gain.

After the hike we got the mud off of us and head to the open house for snacks and beverages. Tom had his hand carved Santas on display. We finished the day by having food and beer at the House Brass Pub. So a nice Christmas tradition.

Heading up to the bathrooms at the visitor center before starting out.
The center was closed this time.
The visitor center has a number of interesting items around it.
At the entrance to the trail system is a map and info on the different trails.
Starting on our loop around the park.
We started on the paved trail that head to the summit and viewing area.
This route does a gradual climb to the summit. It has benches for resting and view.
The top of the butte is flat and was ideal for early homesteaders.
Straight flat walk past the old orchard to the viewing area.
The old orchard is all that is left of the early homesteader farm that was on the top of the butte.
At the summit is this viewing area that points to different mountains in the area.
One of the descriptive pointers. This one for Mt. Adams.
No rain this year for our walk but still no views.
A little side trail to a view and some boulders to sit on.
There is a trail that circles the summit. We were heading across the back side.
A view up the hill to the old orchard. The place is a nature park now so it is mostly left in an untended state.
We took a trail down through the woods on the south side of the butte.
This area is covered with second growth forest.
Everything around Portland was logged in the early days. Places like Powell Butte has recovering second growth forest.
Heading out of the park on the south side.
The park has the Springwater Corridor bike trail on it’s south side.
We tagged the Springwater trail and head on with our Powell Butte Hike.
We did a couple of different trails to finish circling the Butte.
Final stretch of trail the it is out of the woods.
We finished on the gravel road back to the Visitor Center.
We past by the entrance to the two 50 million gallon reservoirs.
Back to the visitor center and water pipe size exhibit.
Time to get of the muddy buts and become social.
Some of Tom’s hand carved Santas.
Toms hand carved Santa Ornaments.
The had some nice food to munch on.
We finished up at the Horse Brass Pub for Beer and food.
They had their Christmas decorations up.