For anyone looking for a great place to explore in Portland give Hoyt Arboretum a try. I took a hike in October to see the fall colors and it was spectacular. I took advantage of the public transportation system to get me to the park.

 

From the Max Station I walked up past the Vietnam Memorial and on up the Wildwood Trail. Since I was interested in the fall colors I decided to head over Larch Collection to see if they were in color. To get there I took the Holly Trail past the Visitors Center then down the Fir Trail. Along the way I saw many maples and other trees that were in their fall spectacular. Unfortunately the Larch weren’t, but it didn’t matter.

 

I headed down the Creek Trail. It was very pleasant and quickly I began to sink into the surroundings. It was hard to believe that I was actually in a large city. I returned via the Redwood Trail.

 

When I got back to the Visitors Center I decided that I had not been out long enough so I headed over to the Oak Collection, then over to see the Magnolias.

 

The trails are a bit confusing and some of the signs have been vandalized, so it is worth getting a map at the Visitors Center.