Under the Sky

Date visited: July 31, 2008 Agency: Portland Parks and Recreation Path Surface: Dirt Elevation gain/loss: 60 feet Distance: 2 miles Ratings: Setting + Calorie-burning ++ Directions: Division St east from I-205. Turn south on SE 103rd Ave. to small gravel turnout at gate. This place is overgrown and a bit creepy, and that was even before I read here. If you are close and want a two...

Update on Burnt Bridge Creek Trail: A 1.5 mile section of the trail, beginning at Bernie Drive and Fruit Valley Road (the Stewarts Glen section) will remain closed until the end of the year for updating, improvements and maintenance work....

Date visited: July 23, 2008 Agency: Portland Parks and Recreation Path Surface: Mostly dirt and gravel, hard packed in summer, but can be squishy in the rain, narrow in spots and occasional tree roots Elevation gain/loss: Repeated elevation gain and loss of up to 150 feet. Distance: As described, approximately 6 miles, but nearly endless wandering possible Ratings: Setting ++++ Calorie-burning...

Date visited: May 21, 2008Agency: Washington State UniversityPath Surface: Paved, bark chip and gravelElevation gain/loss: 250 ft.Distance: Variable, up to four miles on “Cougar Trails“, route described is about 4 milesRatings: Setting ++ Calorie-burning +++Directions: From I-5 or I-205, exit at NE 134th St in Vancouver. Follow it eastbound and it changes to Salmon Creek Avenue. At...

Date visited: April 29, 2008 Agency: Metro Path Surface: Dirt trail, some gravel, roots, rock and mud in the trail in some areas Elevation gain/loss: 350 feet Distance: variable, as explained below Ratings: Setting +++ Calorie-burning ++++ Directions: I-205 to Sunnybrook Road. South on 97th until it becomes Mather Rd. Look for the low sign marking the park on the left. 10695 SE Mather Rd....

Date visited: October 29, 2007 Agency: City of Vancouver Path Surface: Paved Elevation gain/loss: Definitely some up and down but elevation gain from end to end is minimal Distance: 7.6 miles one way Ratings: Setting +++ Calorie-burning ++++ Directions: I-5 to 78th St. in Vancouver. Turn west 1.3 miles to Fruit Valley Rd. (Sign says Lakeshore Rd.) Turn left .4 mile, turn left onto Bernie...

Date visited: January 16, 2007 Agency: City of Vancouver Path Surface: Paved, 12 feet wide Elevation gain/loss: None Distance: Variable, but up to 7.4 miles on paved path or more on trails Ratings: Setting ++++ Calorie-burning ++++ Directions: From I-5, take the Fourth Plain exit and follow it west until it turns into Lower River Rd. To reach Vancouver Lake Park, at a fork, stay...