Powell Butte Universal Access Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Powell Butte Main Trailhead
- End point:Powell Butte Summit Orchard
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 200 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Year round
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
There are a lot of trails on Powell Butte and many of them are accessible to super-hikers in specialized wheelchairs. The Mountain View Trail is paved and accessible to hikers in nearly all wheelchairs.
Start at the Powell Butte Main Trailhead. The view from the parking lot includes Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams and a stunning view of Mount Hood. The Mountain View Trail starts near the west side of the restrooms. The trail starts gently uphill passed a line of ancient orchard trees and a wooden fence. Look for Oregon Grape and Current shrubs that bloom in April. The trail crosses a complex intersection of the Old Holgate Trail and a service road.
The trail angles east and steepens a bit here and it soon comes to a switchback. Now slabbing westward, the trail climbs steadily up the hill. There's a view of an old cement water channel. The trail alternates between small thickets of trees and open areas. The Mountain View Trail climbs to the orchard at the top of Powell Butte. From here, you'll see great views in three directions.
Unfortunately, the Mountain View Trail ends about 1/10 of a mile to the west of the mountain finder at the true summit. The Orchard Loop Trail that leads to the mountain finder and picnic tables has a nice grade and a hard dirt surface with a shallow layer of very fine gravel. The mountain finder itself is surrounded by short grass on hard packed soil. It's possible for hikers with the right kind of chairs to reach the mountain finder, picnic table and benches, but some may be daunted by the lack of pavement on this last short stretch.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- None
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Powell Butte Universal Access Hike
- (Click here to add your own)
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Powell Butte Universal Access Hike
- (Click here to ask a question or start a conversation)
Guidebooks that cover this hike
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)