Join SWTrails on Saturday, October 15, for our 3rd Saturday walk. Our walks are 2 to 4 miles long with a slower pace than our 2nd Saturday hikes. We make sure our pace accommodates all walkers. Walks begin at 9am and last about 2 ½ hours.

Name:  Fall Colors Hike through Hoyt Arboretum and Washington 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)
Distance:  3.2 miles
Elevation Gain:  499 feet
Average Pace:  2 mph
Participation Requirements: Fully vaccinated (including Booster), have masks available
Bus Information: Click Getting to the Park for public transportation options to Washington Park.
The Washington Park MAX station is located south of our hike’s starting point and is a 15-to-20-minute walk to the Arboretum Visitor Center. Free parking can also be found inside the Arboretum in the parking lots, and along SW Fairview Blvd. Paid parking can be found at the Arboretum Visitor Center. Also, the free Washington Park Shuttle is a good source of transport around the park.
Special Notes: We will be walking on off-road trails so bring walking sticks as needed.
Restrooms:  Restrooms and water fountains can be found at the beginning of the hike at the Arboretum Visitor Center and at the Rose Garden in Washington Park.

Route Description:  Join us for a lovely hike through Washington Park to see the colors change from summer greens to autumn reds and golds! Our hike will begin by meeting at the Hoyt Arboretum visitor center, where there are two restrooms, and you can park in the spaces along SW Fairview for free or you can pay to park in the Arboretum parking lot. From the visit center, we will walk down the paved path past the giant big leaf maple tree around the water tank, and we will find the Maple Trail to see the fall foliage. On the way to the Maple Trail is the sumac grove and other plants that may be turning beautiful fall shades of red, orange, yellow, and even purple.

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.

Bring water and snacks and dress appropriately for the weather. Comfortable walking shoes are a must.  Kids and well-behaved pets on leash are welcome, but no smoking for the health and consideration of others.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 15th!
Emily Pierce