Guess what?... we R so done!!!

Yep we ARE TOTALLY done with the Wildwood trail, ALL 30 miles of it.

If you live in the Portland area, call yourself a hiker, or want to be a Portland native for a weekend, you must do the Wildwood trail. What an accomplishment to have under your belt. This trail starts you in the heart of  Portland by the Vietnam memorial and Arboretum, then takes you through some of the best scenery in the Portland area and spits you out the other side. The trail ends with the last few miles making you feel as if you are up a couple thousand feet in the Cascade range, yet you are very close to home. Below is the posted coverage for each mile of the trail.

Come see what we found along the way. Also is posted a mile by mile elevation chart as well as parking areas along the route.

Miles 0 - 5 Vietnam memorial to Cornell road; SSS /5 miles/350 frequent gain & loss. Mile 1 starts you just outside the Vietnam memorial. This is also a great place to learn what kind of trees are around you, this is because the Wildwood starts right in the Arboretum. If you want a nature trail or to appreciate some trees, just look at a tree, it has the name and info right on it.  This is also a great mile to get chris-crossed and turned around, there are many intersecting trails within this first mile, if you doubt where you are... don't worry where there is a new trail... there is a sign. Most of the first mile of the trail is pretty easy, rolls up and down 100ft or so in elevation. Soon after you start mile 2, this is just after the Archery Range, this is also a parking area for those that wish to start here. Now you are heading into the most difficult part of the Wildwood trail, definitely a good trainer. For those that have hiking or backpacking trips planned this summer... to this section in a loop from the start to at least Pittock Mansion. Miles 3 - 5 wind  you up and down some good hills. The paths are well worn and usually clear of debris so running and dual walker/hikers will be in their comfort zone. This is also the more popular end of the Wildwood for trail regulars and dog walkers. Seems that almost all the people that I crossed along the trail think that the leash law does not apply to them. Keeping that in mind watch your step, there is plenty of doggie-dukie at this end, almost difficult to avoid. Intersecting trails: Vietnam Vet's Memorial, Japanese Garden trail, SW Cascade drive, SW Fairview blvd, W Burnside rd, Pittock Acres, Cumberland trail and NW Cornell rd.

Training note: Most excellent, this is an ideal trainer for any event or occasion. I started the trail at the 5 mile mark, took the Wildwood to Creek trail 2+ miles, took Hemlock back to the Wildwood about the 1/4 mile mark and down to the Vietnam Memorial. From there I cruised over to the very start of the Wildwood trail and followed it exact to the 5 mile mark at Macleay Park. It took me about 2 hours 17 minutes to complete the 8.5 mile loop, that's about 16 minute miles or 3.75 miles an hour, hike time - for most people that's not possible (a little fast) but for those that are in excellent shape... you'll possibly kick my @%$$. So let me know what you do it in... I'd like to know.

Miles 5 - 16.5 Cornell road to Saltzman; 12.5 miles. (This section adds a dreaded mile because the Saltzman parking area is up at the top of Saltzman road, the us giving you an extra mile hike back up to the parking area.) Mile 5 is the parking lot, the first mile in goes down and up a very scenic route, very popular section of the trail. This area is also near the Audubon trails for those interested in the birdies. Mile 6 starts the trail and is up and down but very scenic make sure you watch for signs and turn left at the stone house, otherwise you will be on the lower Macleay trail. Several trails also intersecting, loops routes possible. Miles 7 - 9 are fun trail running routes, a few ups but not bad... just good solid fun trails. Miles 10 & 11 are pretty typical mild walking trails (however this time of year, March/April, are very muddy). Mile mark 11 - 13 turns into more of high mountain like hiking. For those that want the feel of really getting away... these are those. There is also a Nature trail loop within this area. 13 - 16 are just brutally long. If you have been doing this trail like I did (5 - 16) you are wishing it done. This is great for endurance training, just be sure you parked a car at the top of Saltzman, because it's the last stop for parking cars for quite a painful while. Also be careful in this area, part of the trail slid off the hillside so passing is kind of tricky, but doable. At mile 16 you will see Saltzman road. The walk up Saltzman is just over 1 mile, being the extra mile that it is... the level wide ground is welcomed. Intersecting trails: Lower Macleay trail, Holman lane, Aspen trail, Birch, Wild Cherry and Dogwood trail, NW 53rd drive, Alder trail, Firelane 1, Nature and Chestnut trails, Firelane 2, Maple trail at 2 points, Firelane 3, Connector to Leif Erickson, and of course Saltzman rd.

Miles 16.5 to 22.5 Saltzman to Springville; 6.25 miles. (This section adds a dreaded mile because the Saltzman parking area is up at the top of Saltzman road, the us giving you an extra mile hike down to the Wildwood trail.) Mile 16.5 to mile 22.5 at Springville road this time is of year is beautiful. All the trees and plants are starting to get their leaves. Also now is perfect to see all the Trillium in bloom. This section of trail stays pretty level as you whine your way in and out of hillside. There are several intersecting trails toward the latter half around mile 19. The day we went it was a little bit muddy in areas, we took a trekking pole this time and it helped us skate through the mud a little easier. Very nice section of the trail. When you are done with the Wildwood you get a nice 3/4 mile walk up Springville, when you get to the car... you are very glad you are there. Intersecting trails: Firelane 5, Trillium Trail, Oil line Rd, Gas line rd, Ridge trail, Hardesty Trail and of course Springville rd.

Miles 22.5 - 26.25 Springville to Newton road; 4 miles Mile 22.5 starts when you head back down Springville road, head left onto the Wildwood trail. You will find most of this trail continues to whine through the woods much like miles 19 - 22 did. There are moments when you will get glimpses of the Leif Erickson trail below you as well as a mountain view depending on the time of year and how many leaves are on the trees. Just prior mile 25 you will get dumped out on Germantown road. Being careful to cross the street, the Wildwood trail picks up again just down from the parking area. Now you are no longer twisting your way along you are making more of straight forward progress. At mile 25 you will hit a couple Firelanes, cross and keep going. This section of the trail is very pretty and unique. You get the feeling once again that you are in the mountains and back off the hills somewhere. The trail here is fun. Stopping at Newton road will place you at another miles worth of hiking to get back to your car, that is if you parked at the Newton parking area, otherwise you might as well keep on going. Intersecting trails: Some unknown trail at mile 24, Germantown rd, Firelane 8, Firelane 10, and Newton rd.

Miles 26.25 - 30 Newton road to Newberry rd. The final 4 miles. Here you are almost done, you have one final push and bump to get over, once you clear this... you are through. This section of the trail is bar far the more remote and untouched, definitely the path less traveled. The lay of the land is a little more serine and calm, it has less deciduous trees and many more pines and evergreens right from the get go. Mile marker 26.75 is just inside the Wildwood trail off of Newton road. From this point you start your final roller coaster to the end. You hit BPA road at about mile 27.3, travel up the road just a few yard until you pick up the Wildwood once again. Soon you will come to a tree that has fallen across the ravine, you can either go the few yards around and stay on the path or you can legally opt for the tree crossing. If you have done the trail this far... you have by far earned the right to cross the tree. There isn't much water on this final stretch of trail, a couple far between spots, so if you are bringing a dog... make sure you have enough water for the pooch. Believe me by this point you are following the mile marker signs very closely by this point, in fact you may be looking so hard that you will miss mile marker 30. It is just above the final bridge of the trail, make sure you look for it, this is you photo op for proof of your endeavors. If you were going to choose only one section of the trail to do... do the final 5 miles, they are bar far the most beautiful of it all, I don't want to tell you too much... you'll have to just come see it all for yourself. There is no parking area close to the trailhead off of Newberry rd, best to have someone either drop you here or pick you up from this section. Intersecting trails: BPA rd, Firelane 15 and Newberry rd.