The New York Time's "Frugal Traveler" dude recently posted a column about hiking and camping along the Eagle Creek Trail, near Portland, OR. He doesn't really add much about the trail, other than astute observations about the weather ("persistent drizzle") the waterfalls ("chock full" of them!) abundance of good camping spots and earth shattering realization that you can actually cook steaks and camp! The one good thing about the article is the Risotto recipe that appears near the end. It actually sounds like it would be a decent camping meal. We have yet to hike the trail for camping purposes, but if you do, know that the crowds decrease exponentially past the third mile (where Punch Bowl Falls is) and the upper campgrounds are incredibly gorgeous places to spend a night or two but can fill up quick during the summer months.
For the truly frugal, run the thing; it's a much faster, and lighter, way to enjoy the trail.
Showing posts with label Portland - OR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portland - OR. Show all posts
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
South Waterfront/Sellwood Loop - Portland, OR
My attempts to become a stronger endurance athlete have had to contend with a simultaneous progression of my development into a 205lb, Clydesdale Class male. For most things, moving my weight around has not been a problem. I find that any run under 13 miles, or any ride or hike that is not composed solely of climbs is doable. Anything much beyond results in knees that threaten to blow out of my body and a groin area that chafes to the point of bleeding. I like my mass, and it's ability to fill out spandex, but I also like my knees.
Recently, while training for a half marathon, I had to reach a compromise with myself to ensure my ability to walk past my 40's. I decided that for shorter, cross training days I would stick to the hilly stuff that I love, but do my longer pieces in the flatlands. The South Waterfront/Sellwood Loop quickly became the basis of my flat, knee friendly, training grounds for Portland area races.
The biggest climbs you'll find along this route are up to the bridges. Winding along the Williamette River, this loop provides abundant views of the River and long, flat straightaways that are great for putting in mileage and intervals. Additionally, the run winds through the new South Waterfront area, Portland's effort at high priced condo/commerical development. Not nearly as organic as the Pearl, the South Waterfront is the result of a planned effort to create high end living. Think the South Beach Miami condo scene, with more rain. This area does not yet feel like a community, and is curiously sterile in appearence, but it provides an interesting area to explore via a run.
Starting at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the loops winds over the Hawthorne Bridge and drops onto the Eastbank Esplanade, and then heads south where it connects with the Springwater Corridor. Long, paved, popular, well marked and flat, the Springwater is the best place for intervals along this route. We typically do this section of the route first, as it is seemingly never ending, and often boring in parts. However, it's a great way to reach the Sellwood area via running shoe or bike.
After the Springwater reaches the Sellwood Bridge, the route heads west across the bridge and then turns north, along the parks and trails that form the South Waterfront area. Unlike the Springwater Corridor, this section of the route is scenic, and winds through green spaces, condo developments and the new South Waterfront developments that dominant the Portland skyline south of downtown. While not complete, the South Waterfront area contains some cool restaurants, cafes and bars to explore and freshen up after a flat, knee saving run.
Distance: 8.5 miles round trip
Directions: Starting at Tom McCall Waterfront Park (SW Columbia St and SW Naito Parkway), south of the Hawthorne Bridge, head north and on to the pedestrian section of the Hawthorne Bridge and head east. The pedestrian crossing will have a turn off on the right, which loops down to the Eastbank Esplanade. Take this and then head south on the paved path along the east bank of the Williamette.
After OMSI (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) the path will intersect with SE Caruthers Street. Head east along the street, through an industrial section, and then turn right, on to SE 4th Street which will put you directly on to the Springwater Corridor. Take the Corridor south for 3 miles until it intersects with SE Spokane Street. Take a left and then your first right on to SE 6th Ave, which will bring you to SE Tacoma Street. Head right on to the Sellwood Bridge.
After crossing the bridge take the pedestrian sidewalk down to the path that runs below the bridge. Head north (toward downtown) along the path which will put you on to a sidwalk that parallels SW MacAdam Ave. Continue on the sidewalk for 3/5ths of a mile and take a right on SW Nevada St. Run through the park area and on to the path that runs along the bank of the Williamette.
Take the paved path north where it is broken in a few spots by parking lots, before winding into a condo development area. Continue along the path, passing condos, office buildings and restaurants. Eventually the path will turn until it parallels railroad tracks, after which it dumps you on to SW Moody Ave. This road will take you through the South Waterfront development and under the highways before intersecting with SW River Parkway. Take a right and a left on to a paved path that will bring you through the Riverplace Development, ending back back at Tom McCall Park.
View South Waterfront/Sellwood Loop - Portland, OR in a larger map
Recently, while training for a half marathon, I had to reach a compromise with myself to ensure my ability to walk past my 40's. I decided that for shorter, cross training days I would stick to the hilly stuff that I love, but do my longer pieces in the flatlands. The South Waterfront/Sellwood Loop quickly became the basis of my flat, knee friendly, training grounds for Portland area races.
The biggest climbs you'll find along this route are up to the bridges. Winding along the Williamette River, this loop provides abundant views of the River and long, flat straightaways that are great for putting in mileage and intervals. Additionally, the run winds through the new South Waterfront area, Portland's effort at high priced condo/commerical development. Not nearly as organic as the Pearl, the South Waterfront is the result of a planned effort to create high end living. Think the South Beach Miami condo scene, with more rain. This area does not yet feel like a community, and is curiously sterile in appearence, but it provides an interesting area to explore via a run.
Starting at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the loops winds over the Hawthorne Bridge and drops onto the Eastbank Esplanade, and then heads south where it connects with the Springwater Corridor. Long, paved, popular, well marked and flat, the Springwater is the best place for intervals along this route. We typically do this section of the route first, as it is seemingly never ending, and often boring in parts. However, it's a great way to reach the Sellwood area via running shoe or bike.
After the Springwater reaches the Sellwood Bridge, the route heads west across the bridge and then turns north, along the parks and trails that form the South Waterfront area. Unlike the Springwater Corridor, this section of the route is scenic, and winds through green spaces, condo developments and the new South Waterfront developments that dominant the Portland skyline south of downtown. While not complete, the South Waterfront area contains some cool restaurants, cafes and bars to explore and freshen up after a flat, knee saving run.
Distance: 8.5 miles round trip
Directions: Starting at Tom McCall Waterfront Park (SW Columbia St and SW Naito Parkway), south of the Hawthorne Bridge, head north and on to the pedestrian section of the Hawthorne Bridge and head east. The pedestrian crossing will have a turn off on the right, which loops down to the Eastbank Esplanade. Take this and then head south on the paved path along the east bank of the Williamette.
After OMSI (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) the path will intersect with SE Caruthers Street. Head east along the street, through an industrial section, and then turn right, on to SE 4th Street which will put you directly on to the Springwater Corridor. Take the Corridor south for 3 miles until it intersects with SE Spokane Street. Take a left and then your first right on to SE 6th Ave, which will bring you to SE Tacoma Street. Head right on to the Sellwood Bridge.
After crossing the bridge take the pedestrian sidewalk down to the path that runs below the bridge. Head north (toward downtown) along the path which will put you on to a sidwalk that parallels SW MacAdam Ave. Continue on the sidewalk for 3/5ths of a mile and take a right on SW Nevada St. Run through the park area and on to the path that runs along the bank of the Williamette.
Take the paved path north where it is broken in a few spots by parking lots, before winding into a condo development area. Continue along the path, passing condos, office buildings and restaurants. Eventually the path will turn until it parallels railroad tracks, after which it dumps you on to SW Moody Ave. This road will take you through the South Waterfront development and under the highways before intersecting with SW River Parkway. Take a right and a left on to a paved path that will bring you through the Riverplace Development, ending back back at Tom McCall Park.
View South Waterfront/Sellwood Loop - Portland, OR in a larger map
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Forest Park - Portland, OR
As a rule, running in Portland during the rainy season will require that you get muddy. Very very muddy. And since Portland's rainy season is fairly extended, embracing the idea of getting covered in mud every time you hit a trail is the best way to start enjoying Portland's abundant running options.
Our nominee for "Muddiest Place in Portland Where Hot Girls Like to Run" is Forest Park, located in the hills west of downtown. The park is the "largest forested natural area within city limits" in the United States, which translates to a huge variety of running trails and multiple points of access throughout the western edge of Portland's downtown; allowing you to run from Portland's city core, to a quiet, verdant forest in less than 10 minutes. Because of the dense forest, and Portland's abundant rain, the trail system in Forest Park gets muddy and stays muddy for a while, making for rather messy jaunts. Working through the mud is well worth the effort, as the trails here are some of the best and most scenic in Portland. For the most part, nothing in the park becomes too impassable; foot placement and a towel in the car are the keys.
The trails within Forest Park are almost all single track, and wind throughout more than 5,000 acres, making learning the trails a fairly difficult task. We have often started a run only to find ourselves inadvertently looping back to the same spots. The key to figuring out the trails is the Wildwood Trail, a 30 mile trail that runs the entire North to South length of the park. Most trails branch off of the Wildwood, making it a good foundation for extended loops. Another good foundation is Leif Erickson Drive, which is a intermittently paved road that runs north 11.2 miles from the Thurman Street entrance to its terminus at Germantown Road, paralleling the Wildwood Trail for much of its length.
Unfortunately our mapping abilities fail us in the dense forests, so until we are up an running with a more GPS centric method, we leave you with links to maps (bad maps - again, we apologize). We have, however, outlined the general park area and have provided links for maps and various trailhead/park entry points. There are parking lots near the entry points, however, during peak times (morning, late afternoon) they fill up fast, so be prepared to park in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Trail Maps:
Friends of Forest Park Maps (very basic)
Topo Map (giant PDF file)
Trailhead Map
View Larger Map
Our nominee for "Muddiest Place in Portland Where Hot Girls Like to Run" is Forest Park, located in the hills west of downtown. The park is the "largest forested natural area within city limits" in the United States, which translates to a huge variety of running trails and multiple points of access throughout the western edge of Portland's downtown; allowing you to run from Portland's city core, to a quiet, verdant forest in less than 10 minutes. Because of the dense forest, and Portland's abundant rain, the trail system in Forest Park gets muddy and stays muddy for a while, making for rather messy jaunts. Working through the mud is well worth the effort, as the trails here are some of the best and most scenic in Portland. For the most part, nothing in the park becomes too impassable; foot placement and a towel in the car are the keys.
The trails within Forest Park are almost all single track, and wind throughout more than 5,000 acres, making learning the trails a fairly difficult task. We have often started a run only to find ourselves inadvertently looping back to the same spots. The key to figuring out the trails is the Wildwood Trail, a 30 mile trail that runs the entire North to South length of the park. Most trails branch off of the Wildwood, making it a good foundation for extended loops. Another good foundation is Leif Erickson Drive, which is a intermittently paved road that runs north 11.2 miles from the Thurman Street entrance to its terminus at Germantown Road, paralleling the Wildwood Trail for much of its length.
Unfortunately our mapping abilities fail us in the dense forests, so until we are up an running with a more GPS centric method, we leave you with links to maps (bad maps - again, we apologize). We have, however, outlined the general park area and have provided links for maps and various trailhead/park entry points. There are parking lots near the entry points, however, during peak times (morning, late afternoon) they fill up fast, so be prepared to park in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Trail Maps:
Friends of Forest Park Maps (very basic)
Topo Map (giant PDF file)
Trailhead Map
View Larger Map
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Downtown/University of Portland Loop - Portland, OR
Remember in college when you were surrounded by pretty people and it took everything in your power to keep your neck from snapping in half as you tried to take it all in? Imagine that, but add in high speed cycling, your ass encased in spandex, and traffic, and you have our favorite part of this ride: the University of Portland campus on hot spring day (note: the students get creeped out when you circle numerous times around the soccer fields, so just try and make one pass).
The Downtown/U of P loop is an abbreviation of the Skyline to Rock Creek Road Loop, dropping the long out and back and adding in one of the best descents in Portland. Starting in downtown Portland, the ride heads up the Lovejoy/Cornell corridor and on to Skyline, where it winds north through the West Hills before dropping down Germantown Road and crossing into North Portland and back into downtown. Along the way you get to see the venerable St. John's Bridge, the University of Portland campus and the Adidas U.S. headquarter's campus before crossing back into downtown via the Broadway Bridge.
A couple of things to watch out for: crossing the St. John's Bridge can be a bit scary, as the sidewalk on the bridge really isn't wide enough to ride on. We usually just stay on the road; which is two lanes in each direction so not too bad. Also, traffic merges onto Greeley on your right a little bit after the Adidas campus; they have a yield sign but pay attention. Finally, the transition from Greeley to Interstate Ave. is a bit dicey, requiring you to cross a lane of traffic, so keep your head up.
Apart from the undergrads, we love this ride because its a great way to see a lot of Portland and has some amazing views of the Cascades, especially coming over St. John's Bridge where, on a clear day, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood are all visible. The Germantown Road descent is one of the best, and fastest, in Portland; a great way to get used to cornering at higher speeds. The highlight of this ride for me is coming back into downtown Portland and riding down Broadway during the late afternoon, around sunset. Crossing the Broadway Bridge when the Willamette below is lit in reds and pinks is an amazing way to finish a workout. This is the ride that I do when I'm feeling unsure of Portland; it reaffirms my love of both the Northwest and this city.
Distance: 23 miles roundtrip
Directions: Starting at the Salmon Street Fountain at Tom McCall Waterfront Park; take the paved path north, making a slight left by the Steel Bridge and crossing the railroad tracks. Continue north on Naito Parkway to NW 9th Ave, and take a left. NW 9th will intersect with NW Lovejoy. From there, take the first part of the Lovejoy Loop (Lovejoy to Cornell, right on 53rd, right again on Thompson) to get up to Skyline, where you will take a right. Take Skyline for about 3.8 miles until it intersects with NW Germantown Road. Take a right on Germantown and descend to the bottom, where the road will intersect with NW Bridge Ave. Take a right and head to the intersection of NW Bridge Ave. and NW St. John's Bridge. Take a left at the intersection on to the St. John's Bridge.
After crossing the bridge, take a right on to N. Syracuse Street (it's the first right that you can make. Be careful; it's a sharp right on to a pot-holed road) which will dead end on to N Burlington Road. Take a right here and then your first left on to N Willamette Blvd. Stay on N Willamette for about 3 miles, past the U of P campus, where it will take a sharp right that bikes, but not cars, are allowed to turn at. Stay on the road until it intersects with N Greeley Ave, where you want to take a right. This road will take you past the Adidas campus and to N Interstate Ave. This is where the transition gets tricky: you have to move from the right lane over to the left, crossing the on ramp for I-5. Make sure NOT to go up the on ramp, but down towards Interstate, where you want to take a right on to the bike lane.
Once on Interstate, take a right (the light rail tracks should be on your left) and head south towards downtown, passing by the Widmer Brewery. After the intersection of Interstate and N Tillamook Street you want to bear right, on to N Larrabee Ave, which will bring you to the intersection of Larrabee and N Broadway St. Take a right on N Broadway and cross the Broadway Bridge into downtown. To ride down Broadway, and through Downtown, take a left on Broadway St., cross Burnside, and enjoy the people watching and downtown. To get back to Tom McCall Park, take a left on Salmon Street.
View Larger Map
The Downtown/U of P loop is an abbreviation of the Skyline to Rock Creek Road Loop, dropping the long out and back and adding in one of the best descents in Portland. Starting in downtown Portland, the ride heads up the Lovejoy/Cornell corridor and on to Skyline, where it winds north through the West Hills before dropping down Germantown Road and crossing into North Portland and back into downtown. Along the way you get to see the venerable St. John's Bridge, the University of Portland campus and the Adidas U.S. headquarter's campus before crossing back into downtown via the Broadway Bridge.
A couple of things to watch out for: crossing the St. John's Bridge can be a bit scary, as the sidewalk on the bridge really isn't wide enough to ride on. We usually just stay on the road; which is two lanes in each direction so not too bad. Also, traffic merges onto Greeley on your right a little bit after the Adidas campus; they have a yield sign but pay attention. Finally, the transition from Greeley to Interstate Ave. is a bit dicey, requiring you to cross a lane of traffic, so keep your head up.
Apart from the undergrads, we love this ride because its a great way to see a lot of Portland and has some amazing views of the Cascades, especially coming over St. John's Bridge where, on a clear day, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood are all visible. The Germantown Road descent is one of the best, and fastest, in Portland; a great way to get used to cornering at higher speeds. The highlight of this ride for me is coming back into downtown Portland and riding down Broadway during the late afternoon, around sunset. Crossing the Broadway Bridge when the Willamette below is lit in reds and pinks is an amazing way to finish a workout. This is the ride that I do when I'm feeling unsure of Portland; it reaffirms my love of both the Northwest and this city.
Distance: 23 miles roundtrip
Directions: Starting at the Salmon Street Fountain at Tom McCall Waterfront Park; take the paved path north, making a slight left by the Steel Bridge and crossing the railroad tracks. Continue north on Naito Parkway to NW 9th Ave, and take a left. NW 9th will intersect with NW Lovejoy. From there, take the first part of the Lovejoy Loop (Lovejoy to Cornell, right on 53rd, right again on Thompson) to get up to Skyline, where you will take a right. Take Skyline for about 3.8 miles until it intersects with NW Germantown Road. Take a right on Germantown and descend to the bottom, where the road will intersect with NW Bridge Ave. Take a right and head to the intersection of NW Bridge Ave. and NW St. John's Bridge. Take a left at the intersection on to the St. John's Bridge.
After crossing the bridge, take a right on to N. Syracuse Street (it's the first right that you can make. Be careful; it's a sharp right on to a pot-holed road) which will dead end on to N Burlington Road. Take a right here and then your first left on to N Willamette Blvd. Stay on N Willamette for about 3 miles, past the U of P campus, where it will take a sharp right that bikes, but not cars, are allowed to turn at. Stay on the road until it intersects with N Greeley Ave, where you want to take a right. This road will take you past the Adidas campus and to N Interstate Ave. This is where the transition gets tricky: you have to move from the right lane over to the left, crossing the on ramp for I-5. Make sure NOT to go up the on ramp, but down towards Interstate, where you want to take a right on to the bike lane.
Once on Interstate, take a right (the light rail tracks should be on your left) and head south towards downtown, passing by the Widmer Brewery. After the intersection of Interstate and N Tillamook Street you want to bear right, on to N Larrabee Ave, which will bring you to the intersection of Larrabee and N Broadway St. Take a right on N Broadway and cross the Broadway Bridge into downtown. To ride down Broadway, and through Downtown, take a left on Broadway St., cross Burnside, and enjoy the people watching and downtown. To get back to Tom McCall Park, take a left on Salmon Street.
View Larger Map
Friday, January 9, 2009
Eastbank Esplanade - Portland, OR
No one likes interval training. People who tell you they "love intervals" are liars and you shouldn't be friends with them. I once went running with a girl that I liked and she told me that she loved to do intervals. I kicked her in the shin and continued my dry spell. The only good part of intervals is that they actually work. And they make beer taste better.
My solution for the monotonous punishment interval running entails is to try to do it in a great setting that provides a distraction. The East Side Esplanade is one of my favorite areas to do interval training; long, straight sections that are relatively flat, great views of Portland's skyline and easy access from downtown. The map below shows the section between the Hawthorne and Steel Bridges: a 2.5 mile loop. Because of its accessibility, the Esplanade is often full of bikers and runners. However, it rarely gets busy enough to cause much of a hassle. Watch out at night though; although lit, the Esplanade abuts some areas where Portland's street people camp out. Make sure you are prepared to kick some shins.
One of the great things about the Esplanade is that it provides a good warm up before heading into the West Hills or through the Pearl District; the Esplanade's accessibility makes it an ideal way to kick off a run through Portland. Many a night have been spent running from the Esplanade into the Pearl District. Intervals + pretty people spotting = less anger.
Distance: 2.75 mile loop between the Hawthorne and Steel Bridges
Directions: from downtown Portland (4th and Taylor St.) simply head west toward the river and the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The path is paved all the way around, with a pedestrian bridge over the Steel Bridge and a designated bike/foot lane on the Hawthorne Bridge. To get onto the Hawthorne bridge; there are either stairs or ramps up to the bridge on both the north and south side of it.
View Larger Map
My solution for the monotonous punishment interval running entails is to try to do it in a great setting that provides a distraction. The East Side Esplanade is one of my favorite areas to do interval training; long, straight sections that are relatively flat, great views of Portland's skyline and easy access from downtown. The map below shows the section between the Hawthorne and Steel Bridges: a 2.5 mile loop. Because of its accessibility, the Esplanade is often full of bikers and runners. However, it rarely gets busy enough to cause much of a hassle. Watch out at night though; although lit, the Esplanade abuts some areas where Portland's street people camp out. Make sure you are prepared to kick some shins.
One of the great things about the Esplanade is that it provides a good warm up before heading into the West Hills or through the Pearl District; the Esplanade's accessibility makes it an ideal way to kick off a run through Portland. Many a night have been spent running from the Esplanade into the Pearl District. Intervals + pretty people spotting = less anger.
Distance: 2.75 mile loop between the Hawthorne and Steel Bridges
Directions: from downtown Portland (4th and Taylor St.) simply head west toward the river and the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The path is paved all the way around, with a pedestrian bridge over the Steel Bridge and a designated bike/foot lane on the Hawthorne Bridge. To get onto the Hawthorne bridge; there are either stairs or ramps up to the bridge on both the north and south side of it.
View Larger Map
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Lovejoy to Greenleaf Loop - Portland, OR
This loop is a pretty simple variation of the Lovejoy Loop and is another quick and easily accessible ride that can provide a nice climbing workout before happy hour. The big difference with Lovejoy is that the Greenleaf Loop provides another few miles of climbing.
This loop takes the same route as the Lovejoy Loop, except instead of turning back down Cornell once you reach the intersection of Skyline and Cornell you are going to want to take the road slightly to the left of Skyline. This is Greenleaf Road, and it provides a nice little climb back up to Skyline were you can take a right, head back to the intersection of Skyline and Cornell and then head to the bars.
We usually get in a great workout by looping Greenleaf a couple of times before heading back to town or onto a longer ride. There are some dicey corners in there, so watch out for cars barreling down at you or from behind you, but there are rarely cars on this road. I discovered Greenleaf pretty late in my biking exploration in Portland but it quickly became one of my favorites.
Distance: 12.5 miles round trip
Directions: From the intersection of NW Broadway and NW Lovejoy take Lovejoy west until it turns into NW Cornell Rd. Head up Cornell, around the two tunnels, and take a right on NW 53rd Dr. Take this until it connects with NW Thompson Rd and take a right. When Thompson intersects with Skyline take a left and head to the intersection of Cornell and Skyline. At the intersection you can see NW Greenleaf Rd on the other side of the road, slightly left of where Skyline continues after the intersection. Take NW Greenleaf Rd until it winds back up to Skyline. Taking a right will bring you back to the intersection where you can either loop it or head back down Cornell to complete the loop.
View Larger Map
This loop takes the same route as the Lovejoy Loop, except instead of turning back down Cornell once you reach the intersection of Skyline and Cornell you are going to want to take the road slightly to the left of Skyline. This is Greenleaf Road, and it provides a nice little climb back up to Skyline were you can take a right, head back to the intersection of Skyline and Cornell and then head to the bars.
We usually get in a great workout by looping Greenleaf a couple of times before heading back to town or onto a longer ride. There are some dicey corners in there, so watch out for cars barreling down at you or from behind you, but there are rarely cars on this road. I discovered Greenleaf pretty late in my biking exploration in Portland but it quickly became one of my favorites.
Distance: 12.5 miles round trip
Directions: From the intersection of NW Broadway and NW Lovejoy take Lovejoy west until it turns into NW Cornell Rd. Head up Cornell, around the two tunnels, and take a right on NW 53rd Dr. Take this until it connects with NW Thompson Rd and take a right. When Thompson intersects with Skyline take a left and head to the intersection of Cornell and Skyline. At the intersection you can see NW Greenleaf Rd on the other side of the road, slightly left of where Skyline continues after the intersection. Take NW Greenleaf Rd until it winds back up to Skyline. Taking a right will bring you back to the intersection where you can either loop it or head back down Cornell to complete the loop.
View Larger Map
Monday, December 8, 2008
Larch Mountain - Portland, OR
I think its odd that Dunkin' Donuts is such a huge purveyor of coffee on the East Coast. I was in Boston for a wedding last winter, and was intent on finding a good source to feed my bean addiction. I usually default to Starbucks in such situations, but a lot of people in town kept pointing me towards Dunkin' Donuts and I felt obliged to check it out. I generally associate Dunkin' Donuts with giant pieces of sugared carbs (donuts) and giant customers eager to eat anything that looks shiny (America). However, the joint actually has some decent coffee. Nothing near the level of the Portland coffee scene but it definitely hit the spot. Note - for some reason the Dunkin' staff inists on putting in the cream and sugar for you, so if you are picky about how you dress up the bean make sure to ask for it black so you can do it yourself. I was thinking about coffee when I first rode Larch Mountain because in the fog and rain that was my companion for most of the ride, coffee sounded like a great way to stay motivated. As with many days in Portland, sun and blue skies in the city does not translate to good weather in the Gorge.
I found Larch Mountain through a brochure in a local bike shop advertising the Larch Mountain Hill Climb and decided to check out the course. I have been looking for great climbs since moving to Portland, and Larch Mountain has quickly become one of my favorites. The road ascends through thick Pine forests, slowly gaining altitude over its 16+ miles until the last few miles where the road begins a series of switchbacks. I usually start at Corbett High School and ride along SE Crown Point Highway, from there I bear right onto Larch Mountain and churn for the next 14 miles. The road will eventually dead end in a parking lot. If you dismount and walk on the concrete path that veers into the forest it will bring you to an amazing view of the Cascades. The descent is a blast; it's fast and easily navigable. The best views are on the way down; wide open vistas of the Columbia River and the Gorge. Larch Mountain is one of those "only in the Northwest" type of rides - a great reminder of why Portland is such a great place to be.
Distance: 16.40 miles from Corbett High School to the Summit
Directions: from Portland take I-84 East to exit 22. Take a right onto NE Corbett Hill Road
View Larger Map
I found Larch Mountain through a brochure in a local bike shop advertising the Larch Mountain Hill Climb and decided to check out the course. I have been looking for great climbs since moving to Portland, and Larch Mountain has quickly become one of my favorites. The road ascends through thick Pine forests, slowly gaining altitude over its 16+ miles until the last few miles where the road begins a series of switchbacks. I usually start at Corbett High School and ride along SE Crown Point Highway, from there I bear right onto Larch Mountain and churn for the next 14 miles. The road will eventually dead end in a parking lot. If you dismount and walk on the concrete path that veers into the forest it will bring you to an amazing view of the Cascades. The descent is a blast; it's fast and easily navigable. The best views are on the way down; wide open vistas of the Columbia River and the Gorge. Larch Mountain is one of those "only in the Northwest" type of rides - a great reminder of why Portland is such a great place to be.
Directions: from Portland take I-84 East to exit 22. Take a right onto NE Corbett Hill Road
From Portland: I-84 to exit 22 and take a right onto NE Corbett Hill Rd. Follow this road to the road up the hill and you will come to an intersection with E. Historic Columbia River Highway. Take another right on this road and Corbett High School will be on your left. Park here, gear up and then head West on E. Historic Columbia River Highway for about 2.25 miles before bearing right onto E. Larch Mountain Road. Stay on E. Larch Mountain until you reach the summit, 14.15 miles later.
Note: The beginning of NE Corbett Hill Road is incredibly steep, and I've heard of a lot of cyclists using it as a training ride. My only aversion is that there are a lot of blind corners, and a lot of cars, so be careful with this one.
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Monday, December 1, 2008
Skyline to Rock Creek Road Loop - Portland, OR
My Portland riding routes are generally based around Skyline Boulevard, the road that runs along the upper ridges of the West Hills. This road serves as my launching point for a number of rides, and itself serves as one of the better rides in the Portland Metro area. Finding the Rock Creek Road Loop was the result of a bad hangover and the corresponding need to sweat out whatever I drank the night before. For some reason I feel like some of my better ride explorations in Portland are the result of long nights. Oh well. This ride is great because it mixes some decent climbs with some longer low key portions that are great for sprints or base building.
I usually start this ride by heading up the beginning of the Lovejoy loop, but at the top of Thompson I turn right onto Skyline (instead of left). From that point, the ride winds along Skyline, exposing you to some amazing views of the Coast Range to the east. I know this view well because it manages to make me consistently veer off the road into the bushes because I'm too busy enjoying the views. This is cause for concern as I ride through urban areas a lot. Nothing says good morning like a run in with a dump truck. Riding along Skyline is always fun because its fairly fast, with lots of rolling terrain, and the change in scenery from urban metropolis to farms and livestock is striking. I always enjoy the rural scenery, reached so quickly via this road.
Eventually Skyline will meander down to a stop sign at NW Cornelius Pass Road. Cross the road here (careful - its a fast one, and there is a semi-blind corner for cars coming from west to east). After crossing, Skyline will continue to the right, and NW Old Cornelius Pass Road will be on the left. Take a left onto Old Cornelius Pass road and then look right for NW Rock Creek Road. Once on Rock Creek, watch out near the train tracks as the road is incredibly torn apart. After the track the road heads back into a small valley, filled with some random houses and an even more random sculpture garden. The road starts a long gradual climb back up to Skyline once you pass the sculptures. This part of the ride is in a shallow valley, and from what I can tell very little traffic heads back there. I really enjoy this part of the ride, it is usually really quiet and there is generally little traffic. The only potential problem is its weird isolation. Only 20 miles from downtown and I swear I can hear banjo music.
Once back up on Skyline, the road will loop back to the fork, completing the Rock Creek Loop portion of the ride. I usually cross NW Cornelius Pass Road again and do this one as a big out and back. Gets more booze out that way.
Distance: 35 miles roundtrip
Time: around 3 hours
Directions: Take the Lovejoy Loop (Lovejoy to Cornell, right on 53rd, right again on Thompson) but instead of heading left on Skyline take a right (you will be heading north). Stay on Skyline until you cross NW Cornelius Pass Road. Take a left onto Old Cornelius Pass Road and then a quick right onto Rock Creek Road. Take this road until it intersects with Skyline Road and then take a right (towards the south).
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I usually start this ride by heading up the beginning of the Lovejoy loop, but at the top of Thompson I turn right onto Skyline (instead of left). From that point, the ride winds along Skyline, exposing you to some amazing views of the Coast Range to the east. I know this view well because it manages to make me consistently veer off the road into the bushes because I'm too busy enjoying the views. This is cause for concern as I ride through urban areas a lot. Nothing says good morning like a run in with a dump truck. Riding along Skyline is always fun because its fairly fast, with lots of rolling terrain, and the change in scenery from urban metropolis to farms and livestock is striking. I always enjoy the rural scenery, reached so quickly via this road.
Eventually Skyline will meander down to a stop sign at NW Cornelius Pass Road. Cross the road here (careful - its a fast one, and there is a semi-blind corner for cars coming from west to east). After crossing, Skyline will continue to the right, and NW Old Cornelius Pass Road will be on the left. Take a left onto Old Cornelius Pass road and then look right for NW Rock Creek Road. Once on Rock Creek, watch out near the train tracks as the road is incredibly torn apart. After the track the road heads back into a small valley, filled with some random houses and an even more random sculpture garden. The road starts a long gradual climb back up to Skyline once you pass the sculptures. This part of the ride is in a shallow valley, and from what I can tell very little traffic heads back there. I really enjoy this part of the ride, it is usually really quiet and there is generally little traffic. The only potential problem is its weird isolation. Only 20 miles from downtown and I swear I can hear banjo music.
Once back up on Skyline, the road will loop back to the fork, completing the Rock Creek Loop portion of the ride. I usually cross NW Cornelius Pass Road again and do this one as a big out and back. Gets more booze out that way.
Distance: 35 miles roundtrip
Time: around 3 hours
Directions: Take the Lovejoy Loop (Lovejoy to Cornell, right on 53rd, right again on Thompson) but instead of heading left on Skyline take a right (you will be heading north). Stay on Skyline until you cross NW Cornelius Pass Road. Take a left onto Old Cornelius Pass Road and then a quick right onto Rock Creek Road. Take this road until it intersects with Skyline Road and then take a right (towards the south).
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Thursday, November 27, 2008
Lovejoy to Skyline Loop - Portland, OR
The essential key to great rides in the Portland metro area is knowing how to navigate the West Hills. They dominate the skyline west of the city; providing great views and a lot of great rides, if you know how to traverse through them.
My first experiences riding in Portland were incredibly frustrating. I could see the hills that I wanted desperately to climb, but for the life of me I could not figure out how to get into for any sort of meaningful ride. Stubbornly, I would set out from my house with map in hand, only to become frustrated at the changing road names, the narrow streets that dead ended suddenly and the increasingly irate drivers who seemed to recognize the overly large cyclist with his too-tight spandex (it IS actually possible to have spandex that is too tight). Eventually I broke down and asked one of the TAs at school, who was a cyclist, what he recommended. His first inclination was to send me up NW Lovejoy in order to orient me with Skyline Boulevard.
Lovejoy runs from East to West, in the Northwest section of Portland. After rolling through the trendy Northwest part of the city, the road heads into the Forest Park area of the Hills. Lovejoy provides one of the closest and widest routes into the West Hills. There are two tunnels along the route; with paved paths that detour around them so you don't have to share the tunnels with cars. As the road continues to climb I always take a right on NW 53rd Drive (its basically the first real road that you come across as you climb). 53rd Drive is a beast in and of itself. It starts steep and stays steep for a good mile before leveling out. I often use this road for hill sprints - it is one of the better and more quickly reached climbs in the West Hills. 53rd Drive will eventually fun into Thompson, which climbs up to Skyline Boulevard. From this point, you can head North (by taking a right) or South (a left). For this loop, I head left and take Skyline to where it intersections with Cornell and take a left for an incredibly fast descent. On the downhill I forgo the diversions around the tunnels. Just keep an eye out for potholes.
I love this ride for a couple of reasons. Mainly its close; it is really easy to access from downtown Portland and makes for a great after work/before dinner ride. It's also short enough to not get in the way of the rest of the day, but has enough climbing to provide for a great workout. It also has some great views of the Cascades, and rolls by some incredible houses. Lastly, this loop is a great basis for other rides in the area, and can serve as a great warmup to some more intense cycling.
Distance: 11 miles roundtrip
Time: 45 minutes on average
Directions: start at 10th and Lovejoy and head West on Lovejoy (it has a bike lane for some of it, but once that ends the road is wide enough to not be too much of a problem). The road with head through the Northwest neighborhood and climb briefly up to Cornell (which Lovejoy turns into). Bear right and head past some gigantic houses. The road will climb slightly before veering right and beginning a gradual climb that winds through the two tunnels. At NW 53rd Drive take a right, and follow that until it runs into Thompson. At the stop sign turn right where the road climbs up to Skyline. Take a left at the stop sign and follow Skyline back to Cornell. Left at the stop sign for a screaming descent back down.
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My first experiences riding in Portland were incredibly frustrating. I could see the hills that I wanted desperately to climb, but for the life of me I could not figure out how to get into for any sort of meaningful ride. Stubbornly, I would set out from my house with map in hand, only to become frustrated at the changing road names, the narrow streets that dead ended suddenly and the increasingly irate drivers who seemed to recognize the overly large cyclist with his too-tight spandex (it IS actually possible to have spandex that is too tight). Eventually I broke down and asked one of the TAs at school, who was a cyclist, what he recommended. His first inclination was to send me up NW Lovejoy in order to orient me with Skyline Boulevard.
Lovejoy runs from East to West, in the Northwest section of Portland. After rolling through the trendy Northwest part of the city, the road heads into the Forest Park area of the Hills. Lovejoy provides one of the closest and widest routes into the West Hills. There are two tunnels along the route; with paved paths that detour around them so you don't have to share the tunnels with cars. As the road continues to climb I always take a right on NW 53rd Drive (its basically the first real road that you come across as you climb). 53rd Drive is a beast in and of itself. It starts steep and stays steep for a good mile before leveling out. I often use this road for hill sprints - it is one of the better and more quickly reached climbs in the West Hills. 53rd Drive will eventually fun into Thompson, which climbs up to Skyline Boulevard. From this point, you can head North (by taking a right) or South (a left). For this loop, I head left and take Skyline to where it intersections with Cornell and take a left for an incredibly fast descent. On the downhill I forgo the diversions around the tunnels. Just keep an eye out for potholes.
I love this ride for a couple of reasons. Mainly its close; it is really easy to access from downtown Portland and makes for a great after work/before dinner ride. It's also short enough to not get in the way of the rest of the day, but has enough climbing to provide for a great workout. It also has some great views of the Cascades, and rolls by some incredible houses. Lastly, this loop is a great basis for other rides in the area, and can serve as a great warmup to some more intense cycling.
Distance: 11 miles roundtrip
Time: 45 minutes on average
Directions: start at 10th and Lovejoy and head West on Lovejoy (it has a bike lane for some of it, but once that ends the road is wide enough to not be too much of a problem). The road with head through the Northwest neighborhood and climb briefly up to Cornell (which Lovejoy turns into). Bear right and head past some gigantic houses. The road will climb slightly before veering right and beginning a gradual climb that winds through the two tunnels. At NW 53rd Drive take a right, and follow that until it runs into Thompson. At the stop sign turn right where the road climbs up to Skyline. Take a left at the stop sign and follow Skyline back to Cornell. Left at the stop sign for a screaming descent back down.
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Eagle Creek - Portland, OR
The first time I ran in the Gorge I was invited to go running on the Eagle Creek Trail by a very athletic, slightly unhinged, friend of ours who insisted on showing me what she considered one of the best trail runs she had ever done. I was interested, but slightly weary. The drive up to the trailhead would allow for the most one-on-one time I had ever had with this girl, and I was hesitant to be confined to the car, without quickly available means of escape. Thankfully I got past the fear that she was going to stab me, and was able to try out the run in all of its glory (this is after we almost died on the off ramp, as she apparently manifests her crazy in the way she takes icy corners). Heart rate blasting - we headed up the trail for what has become my favorite run in Oregon. For me, Eagle Creek provides the quintessential Northwest running experience, a place where I can retreat when I am not sure if I can handle the gray skies or the seemingly endless rain. The run is green, muddy, steep and utterly gorgeous.
The trail runs along the walls of the canyon that has been carved by the Eagle Creek, which runs from the foothills of Mt. Hood into the Columbia River. Numerous other creeks pour into the canyon, creating countless waterfalls that you pass as you wind your way up the canyon. The waterfalls make the trail popular with hikers, hence the first 2 miles or so are fairly crowded with day-trippers (the crowd seems to thin out after Punch Bowl Falls). I could go on and on about the wateralls as they are truly amazing, but part of the fun of this run is discovering what is around the next turn.
For the most part, the trail is narrow and rocky, and runs along the canyon walls resulting in incredibly steep drop offs through many parts of the trail. The actual ground is fairly jagged in a number of areas, forcing you to pay attention to footing. Additionally, there are parts where water sprays off the rocks above creating numerous puddles, mudslicks and wet areas that have to be navigated carefully to avoid slipping into the canyon below (how cool of a story would that be - "I was running Eagle Creek and fell into the abyss!"). But do not let this deter you; the run, while perhaps vertigo inducing in some sections, climbs gradually enough to be fairly easy on the legs. You can generally make it as easy or intense as you want.
The map below ends at my usual turn around point - just above Twisting Falls, about 7 miles from the trailhead. It's a good spot to take a break, stretch and let the dog play in the water.
Topographic map and elevation profile here.
Distance: 12+ miles round trip (I generally stop at Twisting/Eagle Creek Falls, but the run can continue past for another 8 miles).
Time: 2.5 hours
Directions: Take I-84 East out of Portland and take exit 41 (the exit is immediately after a tunnel - take it slow, this is where my friend almost killed us on the ice). After exiting, take a right at the stop sign and continue along a narrow road until it ends, there is usually parking available.
Our Suggestions: Lock your valuables in the car as apparently they have been having problems with break ins. There is a $5.00 day use fee that I have never paid but never been ticketed for. Bring food for during and after - it's a long one and a picnic lunch is a perfect ending. Time your trip so you head back to Portland during the sunset. You'll fall in love with the Northwest all over again.
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The trail runs along the walls of the canyon that has been carved by the Eagle Creek, which runs from the foothills of Mt. Hood into the Columbia River. Numerous other creeks pour into the canyon, creating countless waterfalls that you pass as you wind your way up the canyon. The waterfalls make the trail popular with hikers, hence the first 2 miles or so are fairly crowded with day-trippers (the crowd seems to thin out after Punch Bowl Falls). I could go on and on about the wateralls as they are truly amazing, but part of the fun of this run is discovering what is around the next turn.
For the most part, the trail is narrow and rocky, and runs along the canyon walls resulting in incredibly steep drop offs through many parts of the trail. The actual ground is fairly jagged in a number of areas, forcing you to pay attention to footing. Additionally, there are parts where water sprays off the rocks above creating numerous puddles, mudslicks and wet areas that have to be navigated carefully to avoid slipping into the canyon below (how cool of a story would that be - "I was running Eagle Creek and fell into the abyss!"). But do not let this deter you; the run, while perhaps vertigo inducing in some sections, climbs gradually enough to be fairly easy on the legs. You can generally make it as easy or intense as you want.
The map below ends at my usual turn around point - just above Twisting Falls, about 7 miles from the trailhead. It's a good spot to take a break, stretch and let the dog play in the water.
Topographic map and elevation profile here.
Distance: 12+ miles round trip (I generally stop at Twisting/Eagle Creek Falls, but the run can continue past for another 8 miles).
Time: 2.5 hours
Directions: Take I-84 East out of Portland and take exit 41 (the exit is immediately after a tunnel - take it slow, this is where my friend almost killed us on the ice). After exiting, take a right at the stop sign and continue along a narrow road until it ends, there is usually parking available.
Our Suggestions: Lock your valuables in the car as apparently they have been having problems with break ins. There is a $5.00 day use fee that I have never paid but never been ticketed for. Bring food for during and after - it's a long one and a picnic lunch is a perfect ending. Time your trip so you head back to Portland during the sunset. You'll fall in love with the Northwest all over again.
View Larger Map
Friday, September 12, 2008
Mt. Tabor - Portland, OR
The area around southeast Portland is surrounded by isolated low lying hills, remnants of old cinder cone volcanoes. One of these, Mt. Tabor, is located in the Hawthorne neighborhood, in Southeast Portland. A neighbor of ours mentioned how great Tabor is as a venue for a quick run, advice I quickly disregarded as I thought of her as somewhat crazy. Lo and behold, Crazyface was right, Tabor is a great place for a quick run, ride, stair workout or interval training. Every time I am up there I am surprised by how big the park is: it holds a reservoir for the city, multiple bike and running paths, an ampitheatre, picnic areas and playgrounds. Simply put, there is a lot to Mt. Tabor, so I will focus on the features that I use the most.
For riding, Tabor is a quick climb, that can be lapped on the roads that run through the park. I get the sense that a lot of area bikers use Tabor as I do, a quick workout before or after work. Cars move through the park pretty slowly, so riding in there is pretty laid back. Starting in May and running through most of the summer, the park hosts bike races, the Mt. Tabor Series, which run every Wednesday afternoon.
Tabor is a perfect venue for running. There are a couple of trails that wind around the park, along with a main road that runs all the way to the top of the park, where it forms a loop about 1/3 of a mile long - great for interval training. The views from the top are fantastic; both downtown Portland and Mt. Hood are prominent scenes. I have spent a lot of late afternoons running up there, and there is always a big gathering of people from the neighborhood to watch the sunset. Very romantic. Even only Seneca would watch it with me instead of dive bombing the bushes in search of birds and sticks.
Finally, my favorite feature of the park is the stairs that run from the base of the northeast end of the park to the summit. They are longer than the Med School Stairs, and make for a great side workout.From Downtown Portland: take Madison east to the Hawthorne Bridge, and continue on Hawthorne until it dead ends at SE 60th Ave. Take a left and then your first right into the park.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Race for the Roses
With my subscription to Outside Magazine comes a weird predilection for trying to attempt every training program that is included. Among those recently was a half-marathon training schedule used by Olympian runner Ryan Hall's coach. The schedule has a great mix of short distance speed work mixed in with longer tempo runs. I was able to stick with most of it until the end, when Spring Break and a desire to snowboard got the better of me. I definitely got faster and more confident in my running, which was a great result.
The Race for the Roses was my ultimate training goal. I was shooting for 7:00 minute miles, and ended up somewhere in the 7:24 range. Not bad for me, and a good lesson for the next time I attempt the schedule. The Race itself is a great course with a great cause attached. Race fees go toward the Albertina Kerr Center, which provides aid to children placed in foster care, and group homes for the developmentally disabled. 93% of every dollar in fees goes toward the center.
The race runs through downtown Portland, and starts and ends at the Rose Garden. Overall the course is pretty flat, and fast. The worst part for me were the long out and backs, but you definitely get to see a lot of Portland during the race.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Shamrock Run - Portland, OR
Portland is a great city if you love to run, and lots of people in Portland love to run. Hence, the city hosts lots of great running events throughout the year. If you are in the area around mid-March, the Shamrock Run is a race that you should definitely check out. It is one of my favorite running races, combining running, festivities and lots and lots and lots of beer.
The races comes in three flavors: a 5K, 8K or 15K. All three run through a good part of downtown and the waterfront area, so matter which one you choose you get a great urban racing experience. The crowds are typically more fun in the downtown area as well, helping to keep you motivated (or drunk). The only one I've managed to do so far is the 15K, which begins on Naito Parkway before winding through the Burnside area and then into downtown. From downtown the run heads through Portland State's urban campus and then begins a long climb up Terwilliger Blvd (one of my favorite areas to run in Portland). Terwilliger is a really amazing part of Portland; lots of forest area, great biking and running areas, the Med School Stairs and wonderful views of the Cascades and downtown.
After the Terwilliger portion, the run takes a U-turn and heads back toward the city via Barbur Blvd. This part of the run is the most monotonous - long, flat and straight sections that never seem to end. However, after working your way through this, you will wind back into downtown and to the finish, which is always packed with spectators.
The event is a great celebration of Portland's unique mix of hardcore athletes, and gonzo-urban populace. There were as many people running in costumes as there were in athletic gear. There are usually a lot of bands and street parties, and don't forget the most important part of a St. Patrick's Day themed race - the beer tents.
Distance: 5K, 8K or 15K options
Race Map: http://www.shamrockrunportland.com/map.htm
The races comes in three flavors: a 5K, 8K or 15K. All three run through a good part of downtown and the waterfront area, so matter which one you choose you get a great urban racing experience. The crowds are typically more fun in the downtown area as well, helping to keep you motivated (or drunk). The only one I've managed to do so far is the 15K, which begins on Naito Parkway before winding through the Burnside area and then into downtown. From downtown the run heads through Portland State's urban campus and then begins a long climb up Terwilliger Blvd (one of my favorite areas to run in Portland). Terwilliger is a really amazing part of Portland; lots of forest area, great biking and running areas, the Med School Stairs and wonderful views of the Cascades and downtown.
After the Terwilliger portion, the run takes a U-turn and heads back toward the city via Barbur Blvd. This part of the run is the most monotonous - long, flat and straight sections that never seem to end. However, after working your way through this, you will wind back into downtown and to the finish, which is always packed with spectators.
The event is a great celebration of Portland's unique mix of hardcore athletes, and gonzo-urban populace. There were as many people running in costumes as there were in athletic gear. There are usually a lot of bands and street parties, and don't forget the most important part of a St. Patrick's Day themed race - the beer tents.
Distance: 5K, 8K or 15K options
Race Map: http://www.shamrockrunportland.com/map.htm
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Laurelhurst Park - Portland, OR
Laurelhurst, located in Southeast Portland is an incredible green oasis in the middle of Portland's eastside. Within its borders are a pond, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, an off-leash dog area, and a couple of mostly paved trails that are ideal for running.The park is great as a quick and easy escape when running through neighborhoods gets boring. There is a larger paved trail that runs around the entire perimeter of the park. A full loop is about .85 miles.
The loop is ideal for interval running or for just pounding out a few miles after work. Because of its location, its easy to link Laurelhurst with Mt. Tabor, allowing for a longer, more scenic run.
Crowd wise, the park is never completely empty, so be prepared to run around couples, dogs, kids and other runners. As with many city parks, Laurelhurst can get a bit sketchy at night and there are a couple of dark spots that make running alone more of a dicey adventure. However, the park is lit with street lamps, and I've run there at night, and seen other runners doing the same, without any problems. There are numerous entrances around the park, with plenty of parking if you choose to drive up there.
Distance: the paved loop around the park is .85 miles long.
Directions: From downtown Portland, you can take either Burnside St. or Madison/Hawthorne Blvd. For the Burnside route, starting from SW Taylor St and SW Naito Parkway, take Taylor St. west to SW 4th St and take a right. Continue on this until you hit Burnside St and take a right (east). Cross the Burnside Bridge (check out the views!) and continue east. As you come to the intersection of Sandy Blvd and Burnside make sure that you are in the far right lane, otherwise you will be forced onto Sandy (Sandy is the bane of navigating in Portland). Turn right on SE 32nd Ave and then your first left on SE Ankeny St., which will run directly into the park.
For the Madison/Hawthorne route, starting from SW Taylor St. and SW Naito Parkway, head west on Taylor and take a left on SW 3rd St. and then a left onto SW Madison St. This road will take you across the Hawthorne Bridge and will turn into SE Hawthorne Blvd. Take Hawthorne for about 2.5 miles and then take a left on SE 39th St. Take this for about a mile and then take a left at SE Stark St., and then a right onto SE Oak St. The park will be in front of you, and you can park on this road.
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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tryon Creek State Park
Tryon Creek is an Oregon State Park, located within the city limits of Portland in the Southwest Hills, about 9 miles from downtown Portland. Very similar in topography to Forest Park, Tryon has a variety of trails that loop through a large valley with multiple streams. It is worth checking out and becoming familiar with, as it presents a great alternative to Forest Park when the weekend traffic there gets to be too much.
By far the best feature of the park is the variety of routes that can be taken through it. Two hour runs are possible, as well as quick 30 minute out and backs. As a whole the park is incredibly hilly, so be prepared for runs that are a bit harder. Another thing to watch out for is the mud. The park lacks decent drainage in a lot of spots, so be prepared to splash through some sections. If you do get a little dirty and don't want to hop right back into the car, the Lewis and Clark Law School borders the northern end of the park, and has shower rooms that are usually open during the day. They are located in the Gantenbein student center (campus map here).
My only complaint with the park, and this is rather easily rectified, is that it is confusing to learn how to navigate through it. Initially, trails with seem to end and begin at random, and will pop you out into some random neighborhoods. However, once you run through it a couple of times, or accompany someone who knows the park, you'll find that it begins to make sense.
Directions: From downtown Portland, take I-5 South and take exit 297 for Terwilliger Blvd. Bear right off of the exit onto Barbur Blvd and take the first right onto Terwilliger Blvd. heading South. Continue on Terwilliger Blvd until you hit the traffic circle. Take the second exit off of the circle (the Law School is the first exit) and continue down Terwilliger for about another mile. The parking lot for the park is on the right.
Website with trail maps: http://www.tryonfriends.org/
Below are trail maps of the Upper, Middle and Lower sections of the park.
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By far the best feature of the park is the variety of routes that can be taken through it. Two hour runs are possible, as well as quick 30 minute out and backs. As a whole the park is incredibly hilly, so be prepared for runs that are a bit harder. Another thing to watch out for is the mud. The park lacks decent drainage in a lot of spots, so be prepared to splash through some sections. If you do get a little dirty and don't want to hop right back into the car, the Lewis and Clark Law School borders the northern end of the park, and has shower rooms that are usually open during the day. They are located in the Gantenbein student center (campus map here).
My only complaint with the park, and this is rather easily rectified, is that it is confusing to learn how to navigate through it. Initially, trails with seem to end and begin at random, and will pop you out into some random neighborhoods. However, once you run through it a couple of times, or accompany someone who knows the park, you'll find that it begins to make sense.
Directions: From downtown Portland, take I-5 South and take exit 297 for Terwilliger Blvd. Bear right off of the exit onto Barbur Blvd and take the first right onto Terwilliger Blvd. heading South. Continue on Terwilliger Blvd until you hit the traffic circle. Take the second exit off of the circle (the Law School is the first exit) and continue down Terwilliger for about another mile. The parking lot for the park is on the right.
Website with trail maps: http://www.tryonfriends.org/
Below are trail maps of the Upper, Middle and Lower sections of the park.
View Larger Map
Friday, November 16, 2007
Med School Stairs
Portland is a great city for running; a lot of urban parks, a lot of trails and a lot of ways to work in both pavement and trail running in the same outing. The city also has a variety of great urban features that can add immensley to a good workout.
For a more intense leg builder I rank Terwilliger Boulevard and the Medical School Stairs (as I call them) at the top of my list. Terwilliger winds from downtown all the way to Tryon State Park, and along the way passes some great scenery. A paved path parallels most of the road, which is itself rather hilly. About 2 miles from downtown (starting at SW Washington and Broadway to 6th Ave to Terwilliger), or about 4 miles (starting from Tryon Creek and Boones Ferry Rd) lay the Med School Stairs. They start on Terwilliger and descend up to what I thinki is the Veteran's Hospital. I am not sure how many stairs there are, but its enough to get legs burning. It is the closest I've come to a stadium run in Portland.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Council Crest Climb
Geographically, Portland would seem to be great city for watching the 4th of July fireworks, which are launched from downtown, near the Willamette River. Because of the city's numerous hills, quality viewing points abound. The big problem is that the trees in the Northwest are ridiculously tall, resulting in little actual firework watching. We found this out when we tried to go to Council Crest Park, where we joined about 200 other eager spectators. Everyone was sitting, eating and drinking, waiting for the show to start. And when it did start, everyone rose to their feet, rushed to the edge of the park....and realized that the trees where in the way. From that point, it was literally a mad dash back to the cars to head back down the hill in an attempt to find a better spot; 200 people trying to make their way down the narrow and windy hills of West Portland. Probably drunk. Good times.
But, as the result of the madness, I found a great quick ride up to the park. Supposedly Council Crest Park is the highest point in Portland, and the ride up to it is therefore pretty short and steep. The start (in downtown Portland) is about 50ft. above sea level while the ride's highest point is 1,073ft. about sea level, reached in less then 4 miles of climbing. The ride is goreous; some amazing views of the city and of the Cascads, and the neighborhoods you ride through have some amazing houses. Aesthetically, it's one of my favorite rides in the Portland area.
I've used the ride as a quick workout before heading home after work or up to school for the day and as a warm up for longer rides, which are easily accessible from the area. Traffic is usually fairly moderate, and most people are aware that cyclists frequent the area. The somewhat sketchy part of the ride is through downtown, which is where I usually start. Generally the roads are wide enough to not be too much of a problem, but there is definitely some high traffic urban biking required.
Directions: I always start in downtown, near the Hawthorne Bridge, on the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. From there, head west on Taylor (toward the hills), cross over 405 and then take a left on SW 15th Ave (PGE Park should be right in front of you), and then a right on SW Salmon St. Salmon Street climbs fairly steeply up a short hill (this is a narrow road, be careful here) before it deadends at SW King Ave. Take a right and then an immediate left onto SW Park Place, west 2 blocks and then a left onto SW Vista Ave. You are going to stay on Vista as it runs through an "S" curve and then climbs up a relatively steep hill. Near the top of this straight stretch you will come to a light (at Spring Street and Vista); continue straight where Vista will veer slightly right up another relatively steep hill (be careful staying on Vista at this point, there is a lot of traffic). Remain on Vista until you eventually wind to a stop sign (the interesction of Vista and SW Broadway Drive). Take a right at the stop sign, and then an immediate left onto SW Greenway Avenue (this is a sketchy intersection, lots of traffic, so be careful). SW Greenway will basically take you the rest of the way up to the park (it turns into SW Council Crest Drive right before the summit).
Wooo!! Lots of directions, but you only need to do it once or twice to get pretty comfortable with it.
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