SWTrails Portland

Come find us at the Hillsdale Blueberry Pancake Festival on July 19!

Going strong for 47 years in 2026, this annual event has been bringing merchants and residents together every summer since 1976.
This fun and family-friendly community event will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 8:30am-noon in the parking lot in front of Casa Colima. A full breakfast of freshly prepared blueberry pancakes, eggs, and sausages, accompanied by fresh orange juice and hot coffee, prepared and served by Hillsdale business owners cost just $5 for kids and $10 for adults.

SW Urban Trail Run, Wednesday, 7/1, 5:45 am
Name: Marshall/Tryon Park Loop
Leader: Tyler Weber
Start Location: Lewis and Clark College, Akin Hall Parking Lot
Start Time: 5:45am (arrive 10-15 min. early so we can start promptly at 5:45am)
Distance: 5 miles (estimated ~1 hour total duration)
Elevation Change: Approx. 591 ft.
Average Pace: ~10 min/mile
Bus Information: Check TriMet for bus information


Join us for the first Wednesday of the Month morning trail run! We will start at Lewis and Clark College, travel to Marshal Park via SW Trails 5, down through Tryon Creek on SW Trails 6, and back to the start.

I’m trying out a new co-host capability on Strava with Portland Trail Runners PDX.

Let’s meet at the Akin Hall parking lot. This will be a no drop event and we will target a 10 min/mile place.

I will lead an optional extension down to where SW Trails 5 meets Highway 43 if you want to get some extra work in.

Wear running-appropriate shoes and bring water and a snack as needed.

Hope to see you there.
Tyler

SWTrails 3rd Saturday Walk June 20, 2026, 9am-11:30am

Name: Hoyt Arboreturm and Washington Park Walk
Leader: Emily Pierce
Start Location: Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center
Start Time: 9 am (arrive 10-15 min. early so we can start promptly at 9am)
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation Change: 750 ft.
Average Pace: 2 mph
Bus Information: Due to schedule changes, check Tri Met for bus information
Special Notes: We will be walking the trails. Bring walking sticks if needed.

Join us for a hike through Washington Park to see the late spring/early summer landscape! Our hike will begin by meeting at the Hoyt Arboretum, where there are two restrooms. You can park in the spaces along SW Fairview for free or you can pay to park in the Arboretum parking lot. From the visitor center, we will walk down the paved path past the giant big-leaf maple tree around the water tank, and we will find the Maple Trail. On the way to the Maple Trail is the sumac grove.

From the Maple Trail, we will walk down to join the Wildwood Trail, then walk past the Washington Park archery range and on down to join the MAC Trail, which will take us past the old Zoo train tracks and eventually to the Elephant House, with its historical plaque and whimsical animal designs. From there, the MAC Trail takes us up to the Rose Garden, and past the Washington Park Amphitheater, the tennis courts, and up some steps along the perimeter of the Japanese Garden. There are handrails along those steps up the hill, and once we pass the Japanese Garden we will rejoin the Wildwood Trail and take it to the Winter Garden, turning left back into the Arboretum, up past the Magnolia Grove, and back to the Visitor Center to finish our hike.

Bring a snack, water, good footwear, and dress appropriately for the weather (raingear? sunglasses? Hats?). Note that smoking on our walks is not permitted for health reasons. Kids and well-behaved pets on leash are welcome. Restrooms are available at two spots along the route. Check the weather before you walk.

2nd Saturday Hike, 6/13, 9-12

Leader: Dave Manville
Start Location: We will meet on the circle drive up on Council Crest. We will start on the Trolly Trail that is on the Western side of the drive.
Start Time: 9 am (arrive 10-15 minutes early so we can start promptly at 9am)
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation Change: 1,000 ft.
Pace: 2.5 mph avg (our faster paced hike)
Bus Service: give a call if you need transportation

Hi hikers. Our regular 2nd Saturday hike for Saturday June 13th will be a route that takes us in the shade mostly from Council Crest over to Hoyt Arboretum where we will hike the Oak, Wildwood and Redwood trails and then return to Council Crest. It is going to be a hot day so prepare accordingly; we will stop at the Hoyt Visitor Center for water and restroom break.

Monthly Work Party with Portland Parks & Rec, Thursday, 6/4, 9-12
Help us help the trails for our regular 1st Thursday Work Party. We are. meeting at Council Crest Circle 1120 SW Council Crest Dr, Portland, OR 97239 . Park along the circle and look for the big white Portland Parks truck. This month we are working on the Marquam Trail as it circles Council Crest and then goes down toward the Zoo. We will be brushing the trail and working on cleaning some trail drains,. This is the normal Spring work getting trails in shape for lots of walkers and hikers on this section of the 4T trail as the weather warms up. Our partners and leaders for these work parties are Portland Parks and Recreation Natural Area Stewardship.

If you plan to join in the fun, give Dave a heads up via text (503-753-8186) with your name and „I Will Be There“), I can then pass a head count to our Parks leaders. It is also OK to just show up on the workday. Please be at least 15 minutes early (8:45AM) to our work parties to get signed in and be ready to go
As always, our work is guided by the Portland Parks Natural Area Stewardship folks. Parks will bring all the tools, gloves, and materials we need, and also, possibly, coffee, snacks and water. On these work parties it is not necessary to stay for the whole event, and you can work at whatever level your skill and energy allow. It is just great to meet the neighbors and get in a little trail work exercise.

When you join us, please wear work clothing, sturdy closed toe shoes, long pants, long sleeved shirts. It is the Pacific Northwest who knows what weather we will get but several layers are always a good idea. If you like, bring your own water and snacks. We may walk up to a 1/2 mile out and back to our work location, but usually it is much less.