Hike #3 - Hoyt Arboretum

Hiking the Arboretum – Some where there you can choose the path that is perfect for you, and come again another day to try another one! Melissa and I explored Hoyt Arboretum's collection of trees and plants from around the world. You never know what member of the plant kingdom you will meet at Hoyt Arboretum. Would you like to take a short stroll? A contemplative hour's walk? A heart pumping hike? Need a paved gradual path? All are possible at Hoyt Arboretum, Portland's museum of living trees.

With the mild temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, the arboretum is one of the few places on Earth where such a wide variety of trees and plants can grow. You can observe rare and endangered trees that you would otherwise have to travel the world to see.

Founded in 1928 to conserve endangered species and educate the community, Hoyt Arboretum encompasses 187 ridge-top acres, accessible by trails covering 12 miles. More than 6,000 specimens from around the world grow here, including more than 1,400 species.

The Arboretum is full of breathtaking sights, smells, and textures. You can experience the Arboretum from the shady forested ravines on the north side, where one of the most diverse conifer collections in North America grows. Or visit the sunny southern slopes, were hundreds of deciduous flowering trees engage all of your senses and provide scenic beauty in every season. When a tree catches your interest, look for the black signs that identify the tree's common and scientific names, as well as their native habitat.

Stop by the Visitor Center for an introduction to the Arboretum. Here you will find information about the Arboretum, as well as a gift shop, free reference library, and herbarium. Then, follow the path shown on the trail map, or adapt it to suit your energy and interests.  It was only after our hike was complete and we were in the car on our way back did I realize that I did not get a picture of Melissa and I out hiking...trust me - it was not a pretty site on my part anyway.  The hike down was gorgeous as we meandered through the lovely arboretum down to the Rose Garden, but the hike up was not as pretty as we went up through the city streets.  I cannot wait to go back again and see more of the arboretum in bloom.  I was totally enthralled with the magnolias and would love to see them in their full bloom.  Happy hiking!