Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Backtrack from the arboretum entrance to return to the Wildwood
Trail, and continue along the trail in the same direction you were head-
ing before. The trail through this section of forest makes a number of
switchbacks, and there are a few intersections with other trails, but it's
well marked. After about 1.7 miles, on some of the switchbacks you
should be able to catch the occasional glimpse of the Japanese Garden
below you.
In just under 2 miles you'll come to a spur trail off to the right that
leads to the Japanese Garden. Established as part of Portland's sister-
city relationship with Sapporo, Japan, the garden opened in 1967. It has
five parts: the Strolling Pond Garden, the Tea Garden, the Natural
Garden, the Flat Garden, and the Sand and Stone Garden. A tea house
occasionally hosts formal tea ceremonies. An incredibly pretty, calming
place, It's best on an overcast day (not difficult to achieve in Portland),
when the lush green ferns and stone sculptures seem to glow. Tours are
available daily; check the website for details.
Exit the garden and cross the large parking lot at SW Kingston Ave. to
enter the International Rose Test Garden. You'll recognize it from the
millions of postcard snapshots that have been taken from here. The rose
garden, like the rest of Washington Park, is a great place to wander idly,
sniffing and looking at the unbelievable variety of roses in their tidy ar-
rangements. There are supposedly 9,525 rose bushes here, representing
610 different types. This is also (understandably) a popular wedding
spot. The garden is maintained by the Portland Rose Society, a non-
profit that has been around since the 1800s; it was established by the
Pittock family, they of the mansion just over the next ridge, in Forest
Park. (You can get a closer look at the Pittock Mansion on
Walk 7:
Forest Park
). As you wander, don't miss the Frank L. Beach Memorial
Fountain, designed by Lee Kelly in 1974 in honor of the man who gave
Portland its “City of Roses” nickname.
POINT OF INTEREST (
START TO FINISH
)
Oregon Zoo
oregonzoo.org
, 4001 SW Canyon Rd., 503-226-1561
Portland Children's Museum
portlandcm.org
, 4015 SW Canyon Rd.,
503-223-6500
World Forestry Center
worldforestry.org
, 4033 SW Canyon Rd., 503-228-1367
Hoyt Arboretum
hoytarboretum.org
,
4000 SW Fairview Blvd., 503-865-8733
