Tryon Creek

Ferns and small cedar trees carpet the forest floor, while hemlock trees find space on the hillsides. Large-leaf maples reach for the sky, and young Douglas firs are starting to take over as streams rush near the trails.

Located beside Lewis & Clark College, Tryon Creek stands as the only Oregon state park within a significant metropolitan region. The park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and accessibility, making it a perfect escape for nature lovers and city dwellers alike.

Terry Riley Bridge

In mid-Winter with mostly overcast skies, I visited the park. It was interesting to see many examples of nursery-stump trees—trees that began growing on top of a stump, sending down roots to anchor in the earth. After a while, the stump erodes away, leaving the roots of the new trees exposed to the air.

One crossing of a deep gully is a 48-foot bouncy suspension bridge named after Terry Riley, a law student who attended the nearby Lewis & Clark Law School.

The 6 1/2-mile hike brings back fond memories of early springtime when the beautiful white flowers of wild trillium lilies will be lining the trails. It was a nice outing indeed. 

Terry Riley Bridge