Portland Metro's Natural Areas Program Makes its largest Acquisition!

I just returned from a great day of hiking at Portland Metro's Oxbow Park. Located about 10 miles outside of Troutdale, this gorgeous park on the Sandy River protects over 1,000 acres including prime riverfront and old growth. The park is managed to protect natural resources as well as provide exceptional hiking and camping opportunities. It is one of the 100 hikes featured in my upcoming Day Hiking Columbia Gorge Book. The Portland Metro area has several other wonderful properties within the greater Portland area as well. And this year they are adding Chehalem Ridge to their line up.

According to Metro's press release-

Straddling the top of Chehalem Ridge, Metro's newest natural area looks out over Tualatin Valley farmland and five Cascade Mountain peaks: Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, Hood and Jefferson.

At 1,143 acres, Chehalem Ridge is the largest property ever purchased by the Portland region's voter-approved Natural Areas Program. Along with all that land, Metro took on a lot of opportunities. The science team will spend a year or so learning more about the land's forests, streams and habitats, and considering options for public access.

This sounds pretty exciting-Read more about it here! And if I continue to write books on this region, you can be assured that this place will be featured in one of them!