Raleigh Hills Ramble

Approximately 21 miles; hilly. A relatively traffic free ramble around some of Portland's parks and residential neighborhoods.

Start: Amy's House, 8785 SW White Pine Lane. Telephone 503 292 4711

In case of Emergency: Amy's mobile phone 503 807 4242. Andrew's mobile 'phone 503 803 1669.

0.0

L

out of Amy's driveway onto White Pine Lane

0.0

L

Parkview Av.

0.3

merge L

86th Av.

0.3

L

at T junction onto Birchwood Rd

0.4

bear R

87th Av.

0.8

Cross

Canyon Road at traffic lights

0.9

45° R

SW Canyon Lane

1.8

L

SW 71st Av. (signed "No Outlet")

1.9

L

Sylvan Ct.

At end of Sylvan Ct., the road is blocked by a guard rail. Go around or over the guard rail, and

2.0

R

on SW Pointer Rd.

2.2

L

over bridge into Sunset Hills Memorial Park

2.2

R

at end of bridge. Then L to follow signs for NORTH EXIT through Memorial Park.

2.5

Exit

Memorial Park through gate onto Catlin Crest Drive

Continue

up and over the hill on Catlin Crest Drive, until you emerge at a traffic light on Barnes Road

3.1

R

Barnes Road

3.4

R

at lights to stay on Barnes Rd. (Straight ahead is Burnside Road)

4.0

R

SW 57th Av.

Continue

down hill; name changes to SW Salmon St. and then to SW 58th Av.

OPTIONAL: catch air on the speed bumps!

4.6

L

at T junction onto Canyon Ct..

R

at lights onto SW Skyline Blvd.

4.7

Cross

Freeway (Rt. 26) and get in left lane. You are at Sylvan Summit

Straight

SW Hewett Blvd.

6.4

Bear L

at T junction onto Patton Road

6.5

R

at crossroads with 4-way Stop onto SW Talbot Road

Start Fairmont Loop

This is a very pretty loop on Fairmount Blvd. through a residential neighborhood overhung with mature trees and offering glimpses of views. It is highly recommended! Omit it only if you are really late or really short of time!

6.7

Straight

at 5-way stop onto Fairmount Blvd.

9.0

Keep L

Marquam Hill comes in on Right

10.0

L

under bridge onto Talbot Rd

End Fairmount Loop

at 5 way stop

10.2

sharp L

onto Talbot Terrace; skirts the N side of Council Crest Park.

10.4

R

at T junction onto Greenway Av.

Keep right

until you are at on the Council Crest Park loop road

Regroup Point

11.0

in the stonewalled circle near the base of the water tower. NOTE Water is available in the park, but there are no toilets.

The inscription reads:
In 1898, a party of 30 church ministers, seeking the larger view, boarded 6 horse-drawn carriages in town and headed uphill at 4:30 p.m.. Two hours later, they arrived here. Convinced that native people had also held council at this lofty site, the ministers named it Council Crest. Today, a two-hour drive leads to the limits of this view and beyond&emdash;to untrodden forests, snowcapped peaks, or the rugged Oregon Coast. And still, seeking the larger view, we gather here to gaze upon Portland, a city great, but mearly human in the grandeur of its natural setting.

11.1

Return

down the hill to exit from the park

11.4

L

At first stop sign onto SW Greenway Av.

Straight

down hill staying on SW Greenway Av.

12.0

L

at T junction onto Patton Rd for 1 block

Start House and Gardens Loop

This loop takes you through a delightful older residential neighborhood (on Montgomery & Vista), and then returns to Sylvan Summit via the Rose Gardens and Washington Park. The distance is about 6 miles, but it involves about 800 ft of descent and assent. If you started late and want to omit this loop altogether, continue up Patton Road to the cross roads with the 4-way stop signs, and turn R onto Humphrey Blvd. Follow Humphrey at the traffic lights at Sylvan Summit, and then rejoin the route below at mile 18. If you are desperate for food, continue straight ahead on Patton for 0.15 miles to a store and a small park (water & toilets) on your right, then return here. Otherwise:

12.0

R

onto Montgomery Drive

Continue

on Montgomery Drive. Observe the street signs, because Montgomery twists and turns a lot.

12.8

L

to stay on Montgomery (Myrtle is straight ahead)

13.3

L

at T junction onto Vista Avenue. CAUTION. This intersection is almost blind for traffic coming up Vista from your left

13.5

Cross Viaduct

on Vista Av.

13.7

L

at Light onto SW Park

13.8

R

at T onto Lewis and Clarke Circle

14.0

Straight

at 4-way junction by fountain. (Sign incorrectly shows that Rose Gardens are to the left.)

Climb

towards Rose garden, following signs for diverted traffic.

14.3

L

at stop sign onto Kingston

14.5

Emerge

into Washington Park; tennis courts to your left, Japanese garden access to your right.

14.7

L

at crossroads into service road leading to

Regroup point

14.8

Toilets, water and an ice cream stand are available here. The Rose Gardens are immediately below you.

Return

To cross roads

14.9

Straight

up the hill (steep!) onto SW Kingston Drive

16.5

L

at Stop sign by parking for Vietnam War Memorial onto SW Knight Blvd.

16.6

Pass

Washington Park MAX station

Continue

in bike lane down the hill towards Rt. 26 freeway

17.0

R

SW Canyon Ct., signed "Sylvan". (Do not cross or enter the Rt. 26 freeway)

17.7

L

at intersection with Westgate, to remain on SW Canyon Ct.

17.9

L

at traffic light onto SW Skyline Blvd..

18.0

Cross

Freeway (Rt. 26) and get in right lane (yes, you are at Sylvan Summit again)

End House and Gardens Loop

wasn't it grand?

18.0

R

onto SW Scholls Ferry Rd

18.3

CAUTION road works!

18.9

Straight

at traffic light (Patton Road on left) to stay on Scholls Ferry Road. (BEWARE: this light comes up fast on a blind corner, and it may be red!)

19.4

R

Raleighwood Lane

19.6

R

at Stop up SW 70th Av.

19.7

L

SW Gable Park Rd

19.9

R

Ridgewood Dr.

20.0

L

onto path through Raleigh Park

20.2

Exit

Raleigh Park through parking lot adjacent to swimming pool

20.3

L

SW 78th Av.

20.4

R

Fairway Dr.

20.5

L

Birchwood Rd

20.8

L

onto SW 86th Av. (signed No Entry except for Bicycles)

20.9

Bear R

SW Parkview Av.

21.1

R

SW White Pine Lane

21.1

R

into Amy's driveway at 8785 SW White Pine Lane.

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