Scouter’s Mountain Nature Park is located in Happy Valley, Oregon, and is situated around an extinct volcano. Scouter’s mountain is one of several extinct volcanoes within the ‘East Buttes’ in the eastern end of the Portland Metro Area.
This park’s trails are perfect for someone looking for an easy hike with some light incline. Most of the trails are very short – with the exception of the Boomer Trail, which circles around the entire park, though it is also not very long at only one mile.
Entrance to the park and parking are free. There are two parking lots, as well as a shelter with picnic tables and a bathroom at this location. One of the parking lots is right next to the road near the entrance, and the other is at the top of the mountain at the end of the road leading in.
The park features three main trails:
First is the Shelter Trail, which starts from the parking lot on the top and leads to the Scouter’s Mountain Shelter, which includes picnic tables and a restroom, and is surrounded by a small field.
The second trail is the Lava Dome Trail, which circles the field around the Scouter’s Mountain Shelter. Some parts of this trail have clearings where you can look out into the surrounding area below. The other two trails can be accessed from this one.
The third trail, the Boomer Trail, is by far the longest. Though it is the longest trail in the park, it is only about one mile long. It circles the entire mountain and has some light incline but should be considered an easy trail. Boomer trail can be started from either parking lot, or from the Lava Dome Trail.
Like the other extinct volcanoes in this area, Scouter’s Mountain bears little resemblance to an active volcano. It is heavily forested – covered with ferns and other vegetation.
As far as animals, you can expect to see many of the usual suspects of a hill/mountain habitat in the Portland Area – squirrels, deer, banana slugs, coyotes, and a variety of birds. You might even see a Bald Eagle or two flying around the top.
Being tucked away in Happy Valley at one of the corners of the Portland Metro Area, there are not usually many people there. You may see a few cars parked at peak hours, but for the most part, this park is incredibly peaceful and quiet, except for the occasional bird call.
If you want to go to on a relatively easy hike around a small extinct volcano with lots of trees and not a lot of people, check out Scouter’s Mountain Nature Park.