Name:  Winter Walk Through Hoyt Arboretum and Washngton Park
Leader: Emily Pierce
Start Location:  Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd.

Start Time: 9 am (arrive 10-15 min. early so we can start promptly at 9am)
End Time:  12pm
Distance:  3.9 Mi.
Elevation Change:  430 ft.
Average Pace:  2 mph
Bus Information:  (Due to schedule changes, check Tri Met for bus information for accuracy)  The Washington Park MAX station is located south of our hike’s starting point and is a 15-20 minute walk to the Arboretum Visitor Center.
Parking:  Free parking can be found inside the Arboretum in the parking lots, and along SW Fairview Blvd. Paid parking can be found at the Arboretum Visitor Center. The free Washington Park Shuttle is a good source of transport around the park.
Restrooms: Restrooms can be found at the beginning of the hike at the Arboretum Visitor Center and at the Rose Garden in Washington Park. The restrooms at the Elephant House and the archery range may or may not be open.
Special Notes:  Some steeper bits on this walk.  Bring walking sticks if you want.

Join us for a hike through Washington Park to see the winter landscape and maybe even a few hints of spring color! Our hike will begin by meeting at the Hoyt Arboretum visitor center. From the visitor center, we will walk down the paved path past the giant big leaf maple tree around the water tank to 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.

Dress in layers, as winter weather in Portland can often be unpredictable. A light raincoat and waterproof hiking shoes are advisable. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Also, please bring a water bottle. There will be water fountains at the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center and at the Rose Garden. You will also want to bring a hat and gloves, depending on the weather forecast that January weekend. Kids and well-behaved pets on leash are welcome, but no smoking for the health and consideration of others.

Hope to see you there.
Emily

Have a favorite hike?  Let us know if you have one and would like to lead.