|
Oak Island
(on Sauvie Island) |
| Overview |
This
is a unique hike, on an island within an island. It's quiet,
has a remote feeling, features views of Mt. St Helens and Mt. Adams, a large grove of beautiful white oak
trees, and abundant plush and shaded grassy meadows where we can
picnic after our stroll and admire each others' kiddos. Bring your
binoculars for the abundant birds - we saw several bald eagles on
our last hike here! (If you are prone to pollen-related seasonal allergies
you might want to bring your allergy drug of choice or skip this
hike).
This hike can be warm, so bring a sun hat, sunscreen and maybe a sun
umbrella for your little one. Pack a lunch, as we'll stop at a
small beach and have a bite en route. A small cooler left in
your car with a cold apres-hike beverage for you might be a good idea,
too. |
| Location |
On
Sauvie Island, about 30 minutes NW of Portland city center |
| Trailhead
amenities |
not
much
- no water available and a rather scary portapottie |
| Hike distance |
about
3 miles, no elevation gain |
| Stroller friendly? |
Yes,
for sturdy baby joggers - mildly overgrown trail |
| Driving
distance/time from downtown Portland |
about
18 miles, and about 35 minutes |
| Red tape/Fees |
Sauvie
Island Wildlife Area parking permit needed - $3.50 per day, as of
spring 2005. Can be purchased at the Sauvie Island store
just as you come off the bridge onto the island. |
| Getting there |
- From
downtown Portland, take Hwy 30 north past the the St. John's
Bridge. About 10 miles from the city center, turn right and
head over the Sauvie Island bridge. Give yourself a few extra
minutes to stop at the store and pick
up a parking permit. (Sigh, red tape . . .)
- -
Zero your trip odometer at the store.
- -
From the store, drive 1.8 miles on Sauvie Island Road.
- -
Bear right at the T-intersection onto Reeder Road.
- -
After 1.2 miles, turn left onto Oak
Island Road. Continue for about 3.7 miles, where you'll
cross a dike. Ignore a right hand fork to a boat ramp, and
continue straight about 0.4 miles to where the road ends at a parking
area.
|
| Route: |
From the
parking area, there three options - a trail off to the left to
Wagonwheel Hole, an overgrown dirt road that goes straight, and a
dirt road that goes right. Take the road that goes straight,
which is about due north for you compass carriers. Proceed
about 1/4 mile. You should see another road that forks to the
right. You can go either direction here, as it makes a
loop. If you want a longer hike that ends at a little beach
and shady picnic area, take the left fork out into the more open
fields, with an oak forest on your right. If you want a
shorter hike that goes right to the beach, take the right fork
through the trees for about 1/4 mile. As you get closer to the
water, keep your binoculars handy for bald eagles.
|
| Depart from trailhead |
11:00am sharp |
| Leader |
John
Godino, 503-796-0022 |
| References |
100
Hikes in NW Oregon, by William L. Sullivan |
| Map |
Google
Map - Oak Island |
|