Portland’s 4T Trail takes you through the city, the forest, local parks, and downtown neighborhoods, and incorporates four different ways to get around: the trail, the tram, the trolley and the train. The 4 Ts of Portland, if you will.
I started the hike with my dad on a sunny day up in Washington Park. The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was on this stretch of the trail. After crossing the road and descending down a steep set of wooden steps, the forest enveloped us. Far from the familiar sounds of the city, we heard shrieks of birds and the trickling of a stream. It was comforting to get away from the everyday bustle of city life, and spend a few hours trekking through the forest.
The trail was also very engaging. There were a lot of twists and turns, and it became steep at times so it’s good for anyone who likes a slight challenge. Though the trail is marked, it would be smart to familiarize yourself with it beforehand so you don't take a wrong turn (we did!). And, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for roots. They're practically everywhere and it can be easy to trip on them if you don't pay attention.
A few interesting sights caught my eye on the trail, including a pretty white flower that we identified as a trillium. We enjoyed the sights and sounds of a rushing stream that we crossed over on a small, rickety bridge. We also passed massive houses that sat above the trail and noticed their interesting architecture. A lot of them stood quite high, seeing as most were built with very tall foundations. One was even shaped in a very unique, angular way.
After about 4 miles of hiking, we emerged from the forest and arrived at a road, where I parted ways with my dad and headed to the next portion of the trail: the tram. After a brief walk, I arrived at the terminal, bought myself an $8 ticket and boarded the tram alongside a large group.
Though crowded, the tram was a great experience and offered impressive views. The ride itself was a few minutes, and gave me time to take in the sights as we descended. From where I stood I could see a mountain in the distance. And since we were nestled in the forests up the hills, we got to get a good look at the greenery that surrounded us. We were up so high that we were able to easily look down on the sprawling city below. Even the tallest buildings and widest bridges looked small from up there.
After departing at the base of the tram, I arrived at the trolley portion of the trail. It can be intimidating to figure out which streetcar to board, but luckily it doesn’t matter which you pick since they all go through downtown Portland. I ended up taking the NS Line and getting off at the Central Library stop. It was a great way to catch my breath and rest my feet after all that walking and standing. A word of advice: be sure to have your PSU student ID on you so you can ride the streetcar for free.
After getting off the streetcar, I ended my 4T trail experience with the final leg: the train. I took the Red Line to Washington Park. You can take either the Blue or Red Line to get back to Washington Park, so you can hop on the first westbound MAX train you see.
The trip ends with a quick train ride through an underground tunnel heading toward the Washington Park stop. One more elevator ride to the main parking lot, and my journey was complete!
I highly recommend checking out the 4T Trail, especially if the weather is sunny and dry. It’s a great way to explore a variety of environments, and you’ll be sure to notice something new every time. Happy hiking, and don’t forget to bring a friend or two to liven up the experience!
To learn more about the 4T Trail, including routes and trail status updates, you can visit the official 4T Trail website.
Audria Oakes is a second-year at PSU. She loves to draw, write, cook, and spend time with her newly adopted kitten.