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Powell Butte Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 3.5 (31)
  1. Areas
  2. OR
  3. …Portland Metro and Mt. Hood
  4. …Portland
  5. Powell Butte Nature Park
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“A good loop exploring Powell Butte Nature Park with minimal climbing and a flowing descent. ”

Tyler Bump
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Map Key

4.7

Miles

7.6

KM

80%

Singletrack

598' 182 m

High

248' 76 m

Low

642' 196 m

Up

642' 196 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Family Friendly This trail is great for families or beginners who just want to get out in nature to have a great experience.

Trails are closed to biking and horseback riding during December, January, and February. Trails closed when muddy - if a trail is dry, enjoy!

Overview

Powell Butte, an extinct cinder cone volcano, rises near the headwaters of Johnson Creek - an urban creek with remnant populations of native salmon and steelhead. The park is comprised of 608 acres of meadowland and forest. Powell Butte Nature Park is Portland's second-largest park after Forest Park.

Trails are accessible from the Springwater Corridor and there are many options once you get to the park.

Need to Know

Watch your speed around corners and be courteous with other trail users. Also If you bring a dog, be sure to bring a poo bag.

Description

The trails at Powell Butte are one of the best kept secrets in Portland. Significant trail work has been undertaken in recent years to develop a multiuse trail network. The trails are accessible from the Springwater Corridor which makes this a great afternoon or after work ride.

Most of the trail surface is smooth singletrack with some wider multi purpose trail at the top of the butte. This loop includes an easy, but steep near the top, singletrack climb that opens up to views of Mt. Hood at the top and is followed by a smooth and flowing descent back down to the trailhead near the Springwater. There are some newly built berms on the descent that need to be ridden to be formed a bit so get out there and ride it!

History & Background

In 1925 the Portland Water Bureau purchased the land for future water reservoirs and leased the northeast portion to Henry Anderegg, a farmer and owner of Meadowland Crest Dairy. The city continued leasing to Anderegg until 1948 when the farming pasture was discontinued. But cows still grazed on the acreage to preserve the pasture land. In 1981 a 50-million gallon underground reservoir was built that serves as the hub of the Water Bureau's distribution system. Also, the Powell Valley Water District has three reservoirs on the butte.

Contacts

Local Club: Northwest Trail Alliance

Dec 2, 2024: Highlights from the Tillamook State Forest Work Party

Nov 26, 2024: Board candidate solicitation

Nov 22, 2024: Sandy Ridge Fence-Mending and Corridor Clearing

Land Manager: City of Portland, OR - Parks and Recreation

Shared By:

Tyler Bump
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 31 votes

#1

in Powell Butte Nature Park

#1186

Overall
  3.5 from 31 votes
5 Star
13%
4 Star
32%
3 Star
45%
2 Star
10%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Powell Butte Nature Park

#39

in Oregon

#1,186

Overall
60 Views Last Month
19,120 Since Jun 18, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
19%
11%
67%
4%
0%
0%
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Photos

Going up from ellis st
Apr 6, 2014 near Lents, OR
Looking out towards the open prairie on the South Trail
Aug 6, 2015 near Lents, OR
Mount Hood from the top of Powell Butte.
Jun 18, 2013 near Lents, OR
Wonderful afternoon on the top of the butte, on the Forest Edge Trail
Aug 6, 2015 near Lents, OR
Lots of green along the Elderberry Trail.
Oct 5, 2016 near Lents, OR

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 61 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 27, 2024
George Miller
Aug 18, 2022
Skye Hayashi
8.7mi — 12h 00m
Aug 5, 2022
Mary H
Sep 11, 2021
Ben Wenner
Jul 20, 2021
syd biros
Very nice beginner but fun trails 5.4mi
Jul 1, 2021
Eitan Bornstein
Jul 9, 2020
Maggie Starr
Variation on this loop. Total MTB beginner Riding a cyclocross commuter complete with slick tires and full coverage fenders — a good place to start! 7.6mi
Mar 15, 2020
Christian Soto

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