This is the first article for our new column where we will be critiquing hiking trails in nearby areas of Oregon and Washington. In these articles we will be informing our readers the pros and cons of this trail, giving you any advice for going to these trails, and lastly, giving you our final rating out of 10.
Saltzman Road, Wildwood Trail, and Firelane Loop, Forest Park
Length: 2.6 miles
Difficulty level: Easy
Weather when we visited: 46 degrees, raining
To Note; You may want to consider bringing:
- A sturdy pair of hiking shoes (especially if the weather is looking rainy)
- A water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothes (i.e. rain coat, jacket, layers)
Highs and lows of this trail
A positive of this trail that became immediately clear to us was the proximity to the Roosevelt area.This trail is a short 20 minute drive from the St. Johns area. The location of this trail makes it very convenient to get out to, however the majority of the drive was on a winding road that could become treacherous in the rain, or in the evening as it got dark. When arriving on the trail the parking situation was complicated. Although it was right in front of the trailhead, there was very minimal parking just on the side of the very narrow road, that being, to even access said parking in the first place you have to make a U-turn. To prepare for this you may want to consider the time of day you go, to ensure you can park efficiently and go on your hike! This really was a lovely hike. Being an easy 2.6 miles on a loop, as well as being relatively flat, with some small hills makes it a perfect dog and child friendly hike! Another pro of this hike is without a doubt the scenery. Though this hike is right outside the urban Portland area there is no lack of that “middle of the woods” feel. When looking around all you can see is the beautiful Oregon fall nature, leaves on the ground, ferns, and beautiful tall barren trees. Overall, this hike is perfect if you just want to get out and spend some time outside for an hour or two. So the next time you’re sitting inside bored in the summer, or on a day off school consider getting outside and visiting the Saltzman Road, Firelane Loop Trail!
Overall Rating: 7.6/10
