Wild Cherry, Alder, and Dogwood Loop

The loop can be accessed from the Leif Erickson Drive Trailhead. Parking availability can vary, so it's always a good idea to arrive early, especially on weekends.

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Wild Cherry, Alder, and Dogwood Loop. Please ensure they are kept on a leash and that you clean up after them to help maintain the trail for everyone.

This loop is enjoyable year-round. However, spring offers a beautiful display of thimbleberry, trillium, and woodland violets. Fall brings vibrant foliage. During winter, be prepared for potentially muddy conditions, but the forest remains verdant.

No, there are no permits or entrance fees required to access trails within Forest Park, including the Wild Cherry, Alder, and Dogwood Loop. It's free for public use.

The loop offers a diverse running surface. You'll encounter dirt single-track on the Wild Cherry and Dogwood Trails, a paved section on Leif Erikson Drive (closed to motor vehicles), and some gravel sections. The Wildwood Trail also features dirt paths.

For jogging, this loop typically takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete, though this can vary based on your pace and how often you stop. The total duration is approximately 4829 seconds (about 1 hour and 20 minutes).

You'll be immersed in a lush woodland environment, passing through forests of bigleaf maples, red alders, and Douglas firs. The understory is rich with ferns and native shrubs. On clear days, especially when leaves have fallen, you might catch glimpses of Portland, the Willamette River, and even Mount Hood from sections along Leif Erikson Drive.

Yes, the route is part of a larger network of trails in Forest Park. It extensively uses the Wildwood Trail and also incorporates sections of the Dogwood Trail, Northwest Leif Erikson Drive, and Alder Trail. You can connect to many other paths from these main trails.

While the tour is rated as 'difficult' overall due to its length and elevation, the detailed trail research describes it as having 'moderate difficulty' and being a 'good introduction to trail navigation in Forest Park'. The varied terrain and elevation changes provide a good workout, but the well-marked junctions make it manageable.

Key points along the route include the Leif Erickson Drive Trailhead, sections of the popular Wildwood Trail, and the scenic Leif Erikson Drive. You'll also pass the Wildwood & Alder Trail Junction, offering options for extending or shortening your run.

The final mile up the Dogwood Trail is a steady incline, including switchbacks and a climb of about 200 feet in 0.35 miles on its lower section, which can be quite challenging. Conversely, the initial descent on the Wild Cherry Trail is a gentle start, and the 'Nature Trail' portion of some longer variations is described as particularly idyllic, meandering along and crisscrossing a stream.