Getting There
This place is just
minutes from Beaverton, off SW Farmington Road. Take SW Grabhorn Road to
SW Gassner Road. Then turn onto SW 190th and take it until it turns
into SW Kemmer. It's not a bad as it sounds. (There's another route from
SW 175th.)
The parking lot is pretty limited but they have a dirt lot for overflow.
The Hike
Length: 2.83 mi
Elev. gain: 436 ft
Moving time: 53:09
Total time: 1:02:07
Avg pace: 18:49
Calories: 535
Even
though I've been here several times before, I'm amazed by the variety
of plants and trees. At times, you get wide views of the adjacent
rolling hills and others, surrounded by trees like oaks and other
foliage. It's even got a little bit of elevation loss/gain, ~450ft.
Like previous times, I take the longest loop around the perimeter. During the pandemic, the rangers had setup a counterclockwise loop to maximize social distancing and I've continued this route.
After leaving the parking lot, I followed the Cooper Mountain Loop. I'm not sure I've taken the Overlook Trail but maybe next time. You walk down the lowest elevation in the park. After the Quarry Pond, I took the Larkspur Loop for a bit more distance and elevation, then back on the main trail. The Cooper Mountain Loop cuts through the middle but I continued on the perimeter on Blacktail Way.
This path includes a short spur trail
to a prairie which has some benches. I found one bench partially in the
shade and sat down to reflect on my life at this moment and listen to
the wind and birds.
The last leg of the hike was up the east side of the Little Prairie Loop back to the parking lot.
I
haven't been able to go for hikes further away from town but glad this
place is an option for a short getaway. While I love the Sandy River
Delta, I realize I'm not a fan of other people's dogs. This place is dog
free.
