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.
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2nd one 1 /2 P rice
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cheeseburger,
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