Mount Talbert Nature Park — Attraction in Happy Valley

Paved parking lot on Mather is small but had plenty of spaces available on a weekday morning in February. Weekday morning in April was about 3/4 full. Parking is free. A bus route passes by but there is no stop at the park. The w/b side of road has a sidewalk from bus stop to park. E/b doesn't. Restrooms were reasonably clean. There are three picnic tables and a trash can under a shelter. There are benches. Two display panels are missing. No trail map posted at the trailhead. When you hike up to trail to the first trail intersection there is a post with a trail map and directional signs. Most intersections have these posts but at least one intersection was unmarked, so it is best to take a photo of the map. The trail starts out with some gravel, but most of the trails are dirt/mud with protruding rocks and roots. Trails can be steep and slippery in places. Downed trees and branches have been removed, but other trail maintenance can be improved. Some litter and vandalism. Road noise audible throughout. Songbirds heard and seen. Bicycles and dogs are not allowed...

I started my hike at the Mather Road trailhead. The restrooms are currently closed and there was no map of trails that I could find. I took the Summit Trail to the top and found a number of tree roots and rocks to step over on the way. The forest is very thick with Douglas Firs and it difficult to see anything from the summit. I did a loop around the park and found open areas on very uneven rocky trails. A number of trail markers with maps helped me to find my way on Mt. Talbert. It was very peaceful hiking through the forest with the sounds of different birds. The trail to the top and the ridge had fewer people on it then the loop around the park. Located in Clackamas near the Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital. Mt. Talbett is a nice place for a hike with uneven rocky trails with tree roots to step over and...

Great for an easy after work hike in the "deep" woods. Get those work-day jitters out so you can enjoy a nice quiet evening, or enjoy a little solitude before returning home and all that might be waiting there for you.

Several trail routes to choose from, the summit trail isn't very challenging, but it gets the heart rate up and makes you sweat a bit.

Abundant wildlife, if that's you're thing: I've seen rabbits, deer, lots of different birds, squirrels, etc... Just beware there's a lot of poison oak along the trails, so don't be grabbing blindly at the flora, and stay on the trail!

Just pretend the rush of the freeway below is the ocean, and you won't even know you're in the heart...