Tualatin River Greenway Trail

The Tualatin River Greenway Trail opened in in April 2016 after years of planning. While the city continues to work on expanding its trail system, this trail is beautiful on a standalone basis.

Building on the area's past, decorations along the trail detail the ice age, the Missoula flood, the first appearance of man, the last appearance of megafauna, and modern settlement.

I was not previously aware of the existence of a sabertooth salmon.
              

Previously, the only time I would really see the Tualatin River was while driving over it on a highway bridge. Seeing a heron on a misty morning was memorable, but was only a fleeting glimpse. The trail makes it easy to take a closer look.

It is also built with several easy access points. You can start at the library like we did, or get access from Nyberg Rivers Shopping Center or through the River Lofts apartments.

The walking path is smooth and comfortable. You may not completely forget the existence of the outside world - especially while walking underneath Interstate 5 - but it is a nice escape without have to go very far.

Benches and scenic overlooks are spaced at regular intervals, accommodating different paces and walking abilities.

Don't forget to check out the other local traces of mastodon, whether the statue in front of the Nyberg Rivers development or the skeleton that inspired it at the Tualatin library.

https://www.tualatinoregon.gov/communityservices/tualatin-river-greenway-trail-project

http://www.willamettevalleypleistocene.com/tualatin-ice-age-trails