Portland, OR: Powell Butte Loop

Seek quick refuge from busy streets of Portland on this 5.3-mile loop across wooded slopes to a summit showcasing three snowy peaks.

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Trail Facts

  • Distance: 6.1

Waypoints

PBL001

Location: 45.4902496337891, -122.497032165527

Trail begins on W side of parking lot

PBL002

Location: 45.4890327453613, -122.497947692871

R @ 4-way onto old Holgate Trail; open meadow

PBL003

Location: 45.4912185668945, -122.50023651123

L @ 4-way

PBL004

Location: 45.4908180236816, -122.507148742676

Take middle-left fork onto Wild Horse Trail

PBL005

Location: 45.4897842407227, -122.50984954834

Bear L @ fork; begin wooded loop

PBL006

Location: 45.4885177612305, -122.51155090332

R @ T; climb up trail lined in Douglas fir then rapidly descend

PBL007

Location: 45.487434387207, -122.511497497559

Bear L @ fork then L again @ second fork under a thick canopy

PBL008

Location: 45.4873504638672, -122.506469726562

Turn R @ T; climb up to Powell Butte

PBL009

Location: 45.4843482971191, -122.50479888916

Bear R @ fork; old lightning-struck stump marks the top of Powell Butte; views of major NW volcanoes, including Hood

PBL010

Location: 45.4804000854492, -122.512580871582

Go R @ fork; steep descent into lush forest to Pioneer Orchard Trail

PBL011

Location: 45.4818840026856, -122.513687133789

Turn R @ 4-way; climb gently

PBL012

Location: 45.4843063354492, -122.513282775879

Bear R @ fork; short, steep climb to butte

PBL013

Location: 45.4870834350586, -122.508934020996

Bear R @ fork onto Butte Proper; stellar vista views

PBL014

Location: 45.4911842346191, -122.500213623047

Turn R @ 4-way; return to parking lot

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