An early autumn outing at Tualatin Hills Nature Park


I had a short break between storm systems. It seemed like a good time to hike in the Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a few miles west of home in the heart of Beaverton.

The 222-acre Park surrounds the confluence of Cedar Mill Creek and Beaverton Creek.

I was happily impressed. It is a remarkably diverse wildlife preserve with wetlands, forests, ponds and streams. There are five miles of trails, with about 1.5 miles paved and the rest well-maintained paths with wooden walkways over the wetland areas.

I did a four-mile loop hike. The trails’ names tell the story – – – Oak, Creek, Old Wagon, Vine Maple, Big Fir, Cougar, Chickadee, Cedar Grove, Ash, Serviceberry, Big Pond, Trillium Loop and Ponderosa Loop.

I truly enjoyed the lily ponds, creeks and marshes. It was fun spotting the frogs, squirrels and waterfowl.

Vine Maple Leaves

Vine Maple Leaves

Marshy area along the trail

Marshy area along the trail

Pleasant stretch of trail

Pleasant stretch of trail

Well-camouflaged Frog

Well-camouflaged Frog

Autumn leaves

Autumn leaves

Vine Maple leaves just about ready to turn

Vine Maple leaves just about ready to turn to their autumn colors

Small pond

Small pond

Marshy area

Marshy area

Old stump

Old stump

 

 

 

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