High Rocks Park — Attraction in Gladstone

Arrived at approx 5:15 on a scorcher of a day. There were smaller groups of 1s and 2s as well as a mix of larger parties. It was definitely a more crowded day but not so crowded as to have to muscle for space on the rocks that line both sides of the river, one side being the high side where people line up to jump off steep drops of up to about 20-25 ft above the water. The channel at the portion I visited was much more channelized than further up the river where it appeared that kayaks and intertubes we're being launched behind a bend in the river but not so much traffic as to impede swimming freely across the decidedly easier place to cross than the faster flowing and much shallower upper tract of this section of the Clackamas River that comprises the portion designated as being "High Rocks Park, even if the name is a bit if a misnomer for people accustomed to leaping from truly high diving platforms. The total length of the park I'd put at roughly a half mile, although people could be seen much further beyond the park boundaries. As accessible as the river was on the day I attended, on a more popular day than the mid-week timing of my visit I'd expect the park to be much more crowded, as it was very popular the day I went. I had intended to get an earlier start and would have benefitted from one considering the sun disappeared from the side of the river I was on at least an hour or more earlier than the opposite side went into shadow. 5 stars I choose to define as an exceptional experience and this not being ”exceptional” the 4 star rating no way diminishes an overall worthwhile destination for my 4 companions and myself on that very hot July day. The biggest detraction from me returning would be the borderline too long trip, which may or may not be an issue for someone else. Some sort of shoe for hopping from rock to rock on uneven terrain while hiking in or while picking up and changing locations further upriver are a very highly recommended as on top of the rough terrain the rocks can become very hot, burning bare feet. Litter is definitely present and I did see broken glass in a few spots, but it's not present in such quantias to make the place feel dirty. I'd definitely go back given the opportunity, as well as recommending the park to others in my circle. I wouldn't call this park a must-visit Portland recreation destination but it was more than...

I have been a Clackamas County resident since 1984. In 1987, a classmate and her father took me along to the river, which happens to be High Rocks, and i was stunned by the electric beauty and energy there.

There was a lot of garbage and i could not walk by and leave it there. It felt so wrong... So i had asked my classmates father if we had any garbage bags. He said " wow...as a matter of fact, i just picked some up this morning!"

Laughing as we walked, we went to the truck to get them and we used up the whole box cleaning our beautiful river (which happens to be the historic site of centuries long powwows where local native american indian tribes had gathered every Spring and Fall: a powwow tree sits on clack river drive plaqued with the year 1864 for example) so it is a beneficial and positive outlet for me to clean every summer, hoping i can relieve the angst of the spirits who remain there.

This is a very special place in clackamas county and i have been cleaning there, without fail, for 31 years this year. I do not take any pay, only that i encourage all visitors to please take with them any and all garbage. Together as a team, we can identify with our individual responsibility to keep Mother Earth protected and in better health. We all are connected so i believe we are all responsible. I just care enough to really do it.

Great place for swimming after the end of June. Before then, take care to engage shallow waters only. Excellent fishing, tree climbing..lol, exploring.

Also there are the surrounding Billygoat, Clackamette and Meldrum Bar (which are both at the mouth where Clackamas river meets with the Willamette) and are just as breathtaking.) Please always use caution..

I have enjoyed the area 31 years and i pray i can enjoy the next 31 years as much! Maybe see you there!

Sincerely, Mary...

The rocks were especially palatial... It got me thinking... Thinking about the divides between the social classes. Thinking about the guy passed out on the side of the collision center off powell; what was his story? Was it misfortune? Perhaps misfortunate genetics? Thinking about how many people up at kings heights are more concerned with the installers working on their new 60000 dollar windows vs the humanitarian crisis just below them, passed knob hill over around China town... The fog sometimes looms over the hills of beaverton.. the fog that meets with the morning fog of the Willamette as it's far edges... When will the crisis end? The crisis the surrounds the downtown area in very much the same way as the aforementioned fog... When will the fog clear? When will salvation come for these people who desperately need help in a country on a fast burn track to end stage capitolism? When will the nightmares of relapse finally be met with the morning the battle is over? The battle of mental illness and a unprepared health care system when only the wealthy can be met with mental health care within a 6-8 month window? The battle with the carry over of whiskey into a country whose natives had never even heard the words IPA. The battle without selves who struggle to meet the stress and demands of a world and society who asks so much more than our humble ancestors genes were built to meet?

When the battle is over I will return to high rock, hopefully with tears of joy over a battle well won, and not tears over another countless lives lost on the path to sublimity...