On one of the early days of autumn I went to 16,000 square-foot Pittock Mansion. It’s located on a 950-foot ridge top in Northwest Portland. The mansion was built over 100 years ago by The Oregonian editor Henry Pittock. He was also a mountain climber and one of the founding members of the Mazamas, a mountaineering club that I have been a long time member of.

Now the mansion is a tourist attraction with daily tours. I didn’t do a tour, but did enjoy the views available from the splendid grounds. Although, there was a lot of haze from smoke caused by wildfires in Central Washington State.

Pittock Mansion

Wildfire smoke dimming the view of Downtown Portland

The mansion has beautiful flower gardens

The hazy view to Portland Heights

After a while I headed south on the Wildwood Trail, dropping to Burnside Road. There was a fairly new 180-foot footbridge over the road, the Barbara Walker Crossing. Then it was time to begin climbing on the White Pine Trail to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

On the backside of the Memorial the Marquam Trail was met. Continuing south, I enjoyed the climb to 1,070-foot Council Crest. after a nice break I continued the hike to home.

A nice outing indeed.

The Barbara Walker Crossing footbridge

Pine Squirrels

Wildwood Trail

Marquam Trail