When: Wed, Mar 18, 2020 9AM-5PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Distance: About 3.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: About 50 feet
Trail conditions: Paved pathway, boardwalk, and some bark dust trails
Round-trip travel: 62 miles
Suggested donation per rider: $7
This out-and-back trek will take us along a mostly paved pathway that follows the Rock Creek Trail from Orchard Park to Orenco Woods Nature Park. At Orenco, we will explore some of the local history, as well as the stickwork sculptures created by artist Patrick Dougherty. There are seven of these 18-foot-tall sculpturesâeach with its own personality. After our hike we will drive a short distance to BJâs Brewhouse for lunch.
For more information about this hike please contact Doug or Dana Duval at 907-230-6543 or danakol24@aol.com.
Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.
When: Tue, Mar 24, 2020 9AM-5PM CANCELED Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Distance: About 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 970 feet
Trail conditions: Forest trail, switchbacks, rocks, small creek crossings
Round-trip travel: 68 miles
Suggested donation per rider: $8
This hike begins at the Herman Creek trailhead, just east of Cascade Locks. The trail goes through a forested area burned by the 2017 Eagle Creek fire. However, the understory that was burned is now recovering, and the canopy cover was mostly spared. The trail has switchbacks for the first mile to a ridge above Herman Creek. Nick Eaton Falls is the destination at 2.2 miles. Part of the trail is in the Mark O. Hatfield wilderness area. We should find early wild flowers along the trail. We will return the same route after a break at the falls. We will have lunch in Cascade Locks.
Bring water and snacks for the trail. Hiking boots or shoes are recommended, and poles, if desired.
For more information about this hike please contact Linda Matthews at 503-766-9443 or lindaraematthews@gmail.com.
Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.
When: Wed, Feb 19, 2020 9AM-5PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Distance: 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 10 feet
Trail conditions: Paved path
Round-trip travel: 45 miles
Suggested donation per rider: $5
We will begin this walk at Frenchmanâs Bar Park near Vancouver Lake on the Columbia River. In addition to the river, views of Sauvie Island and the mouth of the Willamette are visible. The paved path to Vancouver Lake Park is adjacent to fields where Sandhill cranes and Canada geese are usually gathered, and if the weather is clear, there are Cascade mountain views. The path passes the Vancouver Lake Rowing Club facility, then continues to the lake and beach. After a stop at the restrooms, we will return on the same route.
Bring water and snacks for the trail. Comfortable walking shoes should be fine. Lunch will be at Feral Public House in Vancouver.
For more information about this hike please contact Linda Matthews at 503-766-9443 or lindaraematthews@gmail.com.
Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.
When: Tue, Feb 25, 2020 9AM-5PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Distance: About 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: About 190 feet
Trail conditions: Well-maintained wood-chipped path and paved streets
Round-trip travel: 24 miles
Suggested donation per rider: $3
This hike takes an urban trail around Stone Creek Golf Course. We will go up and back on a couple side streets through a neighborhood to add a little extra distance to the hike. Part of the Stone Creek Trail is along Highway 213. The trail then wanders around a housing area by the golf course and along Beaver Creek. The trail could be muddy in places if there has been a lot of rain.
We will stop at a local restaurant for lunch. Bring water and snacks for the trail. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
For more information about this hike please contact Becky Tripp at 503-754-2851 or trippr2016@comcast.net.
Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.
When: Tue, Nov 26, 2019 9AM-5PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 800 feet
Trail conditions: Sidewalks, paths and staircases; some steep uphill and downhill walking
Round-trip travel: TriMet MAX and street car
Suggested donation per rider: TriMet fare required
We will take MAX from Gresham City Hall to downtown Portland, where we will transfer to the northbound streetcar to the Pearl District where the walk begins. After walking through the Pearl District, we walk uphill on Summit Avenue to climb a 160-step staircase followed by a 131-step staircase. Continuing uphill we will enter the Pittock estate and spend some time wandering the mansion grounds enjoying views of downtown Portland, the Willamette and Columbia rivers and Cascade peaks, if the weather is cooperative. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the way back.
Bring snacks and water. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes are recommended.
Please purchase MAX fare before meeting at Gresham City Hall.
For more information about this hike please contact Linda Mathews at 503-766-9443.
Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.
When: Tue, May 28, 2019 9AM-5PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Round-trip travel: 26 miles
Distance: 4.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 250 feet
Suggested donation per rider: $3
Trail condition: City sidewalks and gravel walks in the park
This is a 4.3-mile loop walk that will take us through North Portlands lovely and racially diverse Concord neighborhood, home to Fernhill Park, Ainsworth Linear Arboretum and Concordia University, and on into the adjoining Vernon neighborhood with its classic Alberta Park and 100-year-old homes. The walk starts and ends at the decommissioned Kennedy School built in 1915 and remodeled into a McMenamin Brothers' restaurant in 1997, with its reproductions of 15th century Florentine art. We will have lunch and tour the Kennedy School after eating. Bring water and snacks and wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes.
For more information about this hike please contact Judy or Howard Berg at 503-665-8008 or bergate@frontier.com.
Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.
When: Tue, Dec 18, 2018 1:30PM-8PM Where: Meet at Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!
Round-trip travel: 60 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: Minimal
Suggested donation per rider: $7
Please note: Everyone should park in the City Hall "visitor" parking spaces. Do not park in the gated, fenced parking area.
This scenic three-mile walk combines a stroll along the Clackamas River, with viewing of 14 murals in Historic Downtown Estacada. We will begin at the Estacada Community Center and head downhill to follow a paved path that leads to Timber Park. At the turnaround, well head back and uphill to "City Hall Plaza" for a break. After our break, well zig zag through town to see "The Tree of Life," "Early Trains of Estacada," and "The Longhouse," to name a few of the famous murals that chronicle the story of the Pacific Northwest. Along the way, we'll tour the Estacada Veterans Memorial Garden before checking out the shops on both sides of Broadway. Following our walk, we'll have dinner at the Cazadero Restaurant along the river.
After dinner, we'll drive 7 miles to the "Aspen Meadow Celebration of Lights" near Colton and enjoy strolling through over 150,000 lights in the country, complete with music, a fire pit, indoor and outdoor displays, and warm refreshments. This year's theme is "The Greatest is Love." Dress warmly and bring flashlights and your holiday cheer. There is no entrance fee, but a canned food donation for the Oregon Food Bank is appreciated.
For more information about this hike please contact Ruth Cummings at 503-926-4840 or cummings0465@frontier.com.
Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.
Enjoy the freshest produce, flowers, and plant starts direct from the garden.
Healthy and fresh
Farmer’s markets are a fantastic source for fresh, seasonal, locally produced foods and artisan products. Plus, you'll find great activities and fun for the whole family. Come experience the markets. Meet the vendors. Meet local cooks. Enjoy the freshest produce and products. Make your own statement in support of local food.
You'll find plenty of root vegetables, braising greens and lettuces, and of course plant starts for your own vegetable garden.
Bring your reusable shopping bags and plenty of small bills, though some of the markets will trade you a credit/debit card for wooden tokens that all vendors accept, which can be easier to handle than cash. We've indicated those markets that accept EBT or other food assistant coupons.
Newsletters are a regular publication of the Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. They are hand-delivered to over 1,500 residences and businesses in our area 3 times per year, timed to correspond with our general meetings.
Got a story or tip to share?
Wilkes East residents are encouraged to submit articles and tips for the newsletter. Articles should be limited to 300-400 words and may be subject to editing. Include a related photo. Send by email to chair@wilkeseastna.org, or by postal mail to: 17104 NE Oregon St • Portland OR 97230.
Volunteers Needed
Newsletters are hand-delivered to Wilkes East residents and businesses by neighborhood volunteers. There are always routes that need delivery people. Routes are small and many. We can always use your help. To volunteer contact chair@wilkeseastna.org.
When: Thu, Dec 03, 2020 10AM-2PM Where: Meet at trailhead
(Call or email for directions)
Hiking during COVID-19 pandemic
All participants must wear facial masks and practice social distancing during Senior Healthy Hikers group events.
We will no longer carpool to the trailhead. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
Driving directions (with the beginning point at Gresham City Hall) will be distributed at least three days prior to the event.
Hike details
Distance: 3.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 125 feet
Trail conditions: Rocky in places
Round-trip travel: Approximately 40 miles
The Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a complex of wetlands, meadows, and forest, mainly fed by springs, at the base of the Willamette River bluff in Sellwood. Waterfowl can be seen at any time of the year, and beaver and nutria are active in the backwaters. We will hike the Bluff Trail, which can be muddy in spots, but includes railed boardwalks and viewing platforms. The wooded trail goes through cottonwoods, Oregon ash, and cedars, and skirts algae-covered ponds. Above the trail is a large wildlife mural on the walls of the Portland Memorial Mausoleum. At over 40,000 square feet, it is the largest hand-painted mural in the country.
We will walk for a short distance on the Springwater Trail, which gets lots of bike traffic, so we will need to go single-file and stay to the far right side of the trail to avoid bikers.
Plan to bring water and snacks. No group lunch is planned for this hike, but there are a variety of small restaurants on 13th Avenue, if anyone is interested in having lunch before returning to Gresham. Wear good hiking shoes and dress for the weather. Hiking poles are optional. Restrooms are available at the trailhead.
For more information about this hike please contact Mary Ann Buck at 971-344-1946 or buckbanter@gmail.com.
Senior Healthy Hikers asks that participants be 50 or older. A couple wishing to hike is welcome if one member of the couple is 50 or better.
Thank You!
Wilkes East Neighborhood would like express our gratitude to the following for their generous contributions & continued support:
• Jazzy Bagels, Main St & Powell
• Parkrose Hardware, 106th & Sandy
• Growers Outlet, 162nd & Glisan
• SOLV, Bringing Oregon together
• Albertsons, 181st & Glisan
• And, all the many volunteers!
