Balch Creek Canyon is one of the most beautiful urban canyons to be found anywhere. The transition from crowded city streets to peaceful canopied trail and flourishing canyon happens so quickly that you’ll find it hard to believe a bustling city is just steps away. Located in the Macleay Park section of Forest Park, the trail begins at the Lower Macleay Park Trailhead and soon joins up with the Wildwood Trail. From there the possibilities are endless. The time-tested route up to the Pittock Mansion is just one of a number of classic outings in this area.
Distance: 5.2 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 850 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail surface: Hard-packed dirt; duffy, rocky
Hiking time: 1.5 to 3 hours
County: Clark
Land status: City park
Seasons: All
Fees and permits: None for park or mansion grounds; fee to enter mansion
Restrooms: At Audubon Society and Pittock Mansion
Trail contact: City of Portland, Parks & Recreation, (503) 823-6007; portlandoregon.gov/parks/
Maps: Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas: Page 106 D4
Finding the trailhead: From I-405 in downtown Portland, take exit 3 for US 30 toward St. Helens. Immediately exit onto NW Vaughn Street and drive 0.3 mile to NW 26th Street. Turn left and then make an almost immediate right onto NW Upshur Street. Follow Upshur for 0.5 mile to the parking area at the end of the street. Find the path by walking under the suspension bridge. The park will funnel you toward the trail. GPS: N 45° 32.156' / W 122° 42.742'
The Hike
Leaving from the lower trailhead at the terminus of Northwest Upshur Street, the trail begins smooth and paved as it enters the canyon. But the concrete soon ends, and the surroundings become more wild and lush as the canyon walls rise. The largest Douglas fir trees in Portland are in this part of the park, as well as native cutthroat trout. Discovered in 1987, the small population of trout that reside in the creek helped solidify efforts to restore the health of the entire watershed.
After 0.8 mile you’ll come to a junction with the Wildwood Trail. Just past this turnoff you’ll find the Stone House, also known as the “Witch’s Castle.” Despite its medieval appearance, what remains here is the stone framework of an elaborate rest station, once with bathrooms, that was originally erected by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s.
Continue straight along the path that follows the creek and cross over a footbridge. Soon the trail ascends three long switchbacks to Upper Macleay Park. If you’re interested, the Audubon Society of Portland is just 100 yards or so to the right. There’s a bird sanctuary, a gift shop, and restrooms if needed. To continue the hike, stay on the Wildwood Trail as it bends around the parking lot; use the crosswalk to cross Cornell Road and pick up the path on the other side. The trail continues steadily uphill through some very scenic woods to the Pittock Mansion parking lot. Stay on the Wildwood Trail at all junctions.
FOREST PARK
Most city parks are essentially islands of green space surrounded by concrete. As a result, most of the wildlife that once occupied that space flees or perishes—leaving the park dominated by pigeons and squirrels. Forest Park is different. The park is bordered on one side by Portland, but on the other side the Tualatin Mountains extend all the way to the Oregon Coast Range. And because there is limited development, the Tualatin Mountains are home to an uninterrupted nature corridor, allowing wildlife to come in and out of Forest Park as it pleases. As a result, more than fifty species of mammals inhabit the park, including black-tailed deer, black bear, and elk. More than one hundred species of birds can also be found here, including bald eagle and peregrine falcon, which can occasionally be seen patrolling the skies over Portland.
From the parking lot walk downhill to the left, toward the mansion. You’re free to explore the grounds at no charge, but there is a fee to go inside. Walk past the restrooms and through the open lawn area, down to a viewpoint of the city. On a clear day the whole metropolis is on display from this vantage, as are a handful of Cascade peaks. Head back the way you came.
Miles and Directions
0.0 From the trailhead, walk under the bridge along a paved path that parallels Balch Creek. The path eventually becomes unpaved trail.
0.8 Come to the Witch’s Castle and a junction with the Wildwood Trail. Continue straight.
1.4 Arrive at a parking area and Cornell. Road Use the crosswalk to carefully cross the road and pick up the trail on the other side. Stay on the Wildwood Trail at all junctions.
2.4 Reach the Pittock Mansion parking lot. Walk down to the viewpoint.
2.6 Arrive at the viewpoint. Head back the way you came.
5.2 Arrive back at the trailhead.
Local Information
Post-hike food and drink: In Portland, check out Rae’s Lakeview Lounge, 1900 NW 27th Ave., or Industrial Cafe and Saloon, 2572 NW Vaughn St.