Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2012)
4^ e Clackamas Print O W ednesday, May ló , 2012 aced@clackamas.edu V ArtQ^ulture It’s all uphill through Metzler Park By Steven Weldon The Clackamas Print All photos by $teven WeldoH The Clackamas I’m a city slicker. My for est is among the downtown Portland scene, and my favor ite place to view animals in their traditional surroundings is in the Timbers Army at Jeld-Wén Field. T don’t know the difference between poison oak and poison iv/,' which is' why I chose to take on this hike, getting o u tsid eo f the < comfort zone once in a while is important. Just outside of Estacada is Metzler Park,** a Clackamas County campground located five miles- from Milo McIver State Park. Metzler provides •- beautiful scenery and multiple campgrounds, an ideal spot for a quick weekend trip or just an afternoon visit. Park amenities include a,river with a swim ming hole, fishing access, pic nicking areas, horseshoe pits, a volleyball court, basketball hoop, softball field and even a play structure for children. Also at the spacious park are multiple^ hiking trails. The first trail is closest to thecampground, and provides two options of a short easy hike from the open field àrea to a small cul-de-sac of camp sites or a steep hike that leads about a mile back to the road towards the park. While the short hike is generally flat and one direction, the long hike is completely different. As i f leading to the top of the for est, the trail shows off the beauty of the Estacada area. The trek feels longer than it actually is, and seems to be made for a brisk rim; reach ing the top of the massive hill feels like an accomplishment, and getting down the traihis quite fun. Across the- way, day-use picnic tables sit-J 'near Clear Creek and a bridge' that leads to another hiking trail and a swimming hole. This hiking trail is just as steep, about the same length and has more obstacles to traverse. The fol i- age1 is in closer quarters and there is less visibility o f w here "tEe trail leads. l he~Clear Creek trail does loop around - back- where the bridge- is',’ which gives a sense of security after wondering where you’re going. Metzler Park trails are a fun way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors. With the option • o fstay in g overnight in the park, it’s a good 'way' to spend a nice spring weekend. Be sure to bring $ 2 fi£ ,y o u do plan to stay overnight, and there is a $5 parking fee. It was not enforced during? the’day I was there, -as no park officials were on hand.- Beautiful scen ery, a challenging hike; what more could you ask for out of" Oregon? Name: Metzler Park Location: Estacada, via Redland Road to Springwater Road, right on Metzler Park Road Type: hillside trails Length: 1+ mile com bined trails Difficulty: moderate to difficult Equipment: water bottle, insect repellent, sunscreen and closed toed shoes, right: A sm all bridge leads to another hiking trail near Clear Creek. ' Left: Thick forestry throughout M etzler p a rk makes the hiking experience serene. Bottom left: Clear Creek trail leads you to this beautiful stream. Coupon: G et one F atb oy « and get th e ■ 2nd one 1 /2 P rice (D oub le cheeseburger, sm all Sry and m ed ium d r in k ) 1 4 585 M cL oughlin B lvd . M ilw a u k ie , O re. 97267 N o cash valu e, expires Ju n e Open 7 Days a W eek at Ila u n .
