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A beautiful trail that offers scenic views as well a wide variety of plant life and wildflowers.


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Map Key

1.3

Miles

2.1

KM

Point to Point

1,017' 310 m

High

191' 58 m

Low

826' 252 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

29%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

The Ridge Trail is singletrack, pedestrian-only and begins at Bridge Ave., with entrances on either side of the St. Johns Bridge. The entrance to the south of the bridge offers the best access, with steps leading up the steep bank. After a short ways, there is a footbridge that offers outstanding views of the bridge as well as the Cascade Range in the distance. Mt. St. Helens may be seen on the left side, while Mt. Adams is visible to the right.

The six-tenths of a mile lower part of the trail is filled with a variety of beautiful forest plants such as Candy Flower, Vanilla Leaf, Western Trillium, Douglas fir, Western Hemlock, Vine Maple, and a wide selection of ferns. The trail gently winds up to the Leif Erikson trail, by way of several switchbacks and footbridges.

Once reaching the Erikson you make a slight jog to the left to continue up to the Wildwood Trail. This section winds its way at a slightly steeper grade for just over three-tenths of a mile, where you cross the Wildwood just short of the 21-mile marker to continue up the last section to Fire Lane 7.

Red Alder is common along this section as is Oregon grape, Solomons plume and Thimbleberry, as are seasonal plants such as the Wild Tiger Lily. The last part of this section flattens out considerably. After approximately .34 miles you'll reach Fire Lane 7, a doubletrack, multi-use trail.

Flora & Fauna

Beautiful forest plants such as Candy Flower, Vanilla Leaf, Western Trillium, Douglas fir, Western Hemlock, Vine Maple, and a wide selection of ferns. Black-Tailed deer may sometimes be seen. Warblers, Rufus Hummingbirds, falcons and hawks are common. Mole hills are frequently present, especially on the lower section.

Contacts

Shared By:

Forest Park Conservancy

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 5 votes

#12

in Forest Park

#10907

Overall
  4.2 from 5 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
80%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#12

in Forest Park

#334

in Oregon

#10,907

Overall
1 Views Last Month
2,583 Since Mar 5, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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29%
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71%
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Photos

The lower end of the Ridge Trail offers a stunning view of the St. Johns Bridge and the Cascade Range. Mt. St. Helens can be seen on the left side of the bridge and Mt. Adams on the right.
Sep 1, 2015 near West Haven, OR
Two men explore the Ridge Trail. Bill Cunningham Photo
Sep 1, 2015 near West Haven, OR
Wildwood Trail
Jul 19, 2019 near West Haven, OR
The sun shines down through the branches of a vine maple. Bill Cunningham Photo
Sep 1, 2015 near West Haven, OR

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Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 36 days ago
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Dec 2, 2018
Rael Dornfest
2.6mi
Sep 26, 2018
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Aug 24, 2017
Rich Mirabella
Jul 4, 2017
Adam Lyall
Nov 27, 2016
Cami Dixon
Muddy. Challenging with pups in tow. 1.3mi

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