Ferns and small cedar trees cover the forest floor, hemlock trees squeeze into spaces on the hillsides, large-leaf maple trees climb to the heavens, a few second-growth Douglas firs are beginning to establish their dominance and small streams tumble near the trails.

Next to Lewis & Clark College, Tryon Creek is the only Oregon state park within a major metropolitan area.

In early-January with overcast skies I visited the park. I enjoyed seeing many examples of nurse-stump trees – – – trees that began growing on top of a stump, sending down roots to anchor in the earth.

The six-mile hike brings back fond memories of early springtime with the beautiful white flowers of trilliums lining the trails.

A nice outing indeed.