This year, the summer solstice falls on Thursday, June 20th; we have a tradition of spending the day of the solstice out hiking so our tours will be closed! (We do have a few things running under special dispensation with the guides involved.)
Our hiking adventure will start at the southern trailhead of the Wildwood Trail in Washington Park by the Vietnam Veteran’s memorial around 5 a.m. (sunrise is at 5:22 a.m.) We expect to be at the Pittock Mansion viewpoint, about 2.5 miles into the route, by 6:30 a.m.; and the witch’s castle by 7 a.m.
After that, it’s anyone’s guess! We will reach the NW 53rd Dr. intersection with the trail likely before noon. If we are feeling it we will hike all the way to the Newberry Trailhead; if not we will descend at some point and take the bus back to the center of the city. There are a few good points in Linnton to pick up the bus.
You are welcome to join us at any point in the trail — please feel free to text Sarah at 503 / 889-6410 to find out where we are. We will be stashing water jugs along the trail and toting lots of snacks, peanut butter sandwiches, cheese and nuts, chocolate and other vital trail food and some gear in case we need to take a quick snooze along the trail. We will also bring lights although the goal is to stop hiking before dark! Can we make it all 30.2 miles / 47.5 kilometers? We shall see! We do know that we will NOT complete it in the “average of 11 hours and 42 minutes” All Trails suggests (ha).
The Oregon Hikers description of the Wildwood Traverse describes the trail from north to south. The All Trails map describes the trail as well. Elevation gain is described as 3,113 feet or about 1,000 meters, although that is the north to south route.