Kelly Butte Natural Area — Attraction in Portland

As isolated and high up as it is, you can still hear the roar of the city all around. And, cellphone service is great, which provides a sense of comfort and direction. The area surrounding the butte is sketch. Knowing the history is useful but not necessary. Researching it beforehand might only cause a little fear and create bias in your mind.

It is "up and down" all throughout, with trails like a freeway system, forking and splitting constantly. Rainy season would be more challenging and messy. It is thick and I saw a few old-growth fir.

When I arrived on a weekend around noon, I was the 5th car, yet I only saw two other people while there--bird watching. When I exited, only two cars remained. Pretty large area. There is tons of evidence of homeless yet didn't see a single one. There is a super huge structure at the bottom of a ravine, surrounded by a fence. I didn't go down to it but I see other posts on here showing it. Evidence of an underground structure is apparent from many spots.

There is a vibe of "be cautious " present. Either the homeless hide by day in the underground facility, or they simply aren't there anymore. I'm not a "homelessnessologist", but I'd say it's an ideal paradise for the homeless so strange not to see them.

It also looks like a kick-ass bike area yet only saw tires tracks here and there.

Nearby the large grassy area, on the edge, there is what has to be the burial of several pets--a little "pet cemetery."

In the end, what spooked me was a very large dog or coyote--not sure which. It was German shepherd looking, gray and white, large, probably 60lbs or so. It went back into the brush, but I realized I had been walking alone for 45 min before it let me see it.

Takeaways: spectacular , unique venue;don't go alone and / or bring...

Fact: The vast majority of this "park" is not actually a park. Only the paved area at the top and a little ways into the trees is owned by the city. Beyond the signs in the trees that say no motor vehicles is all private property. All of the hiking trails are private property. So when you go up there and harass unhoused people and report their camps you are wasting your time, the city can't kick them out. Matter of fact the largest property owner allows people to camp if they take out their trash so be careful when they ask you to leave they may have lawful authority to do so, if you start a physical confrontation they'd be in the right. I say these things because it's become a regular occurrence for housed people to harass and assault people and/or their property. The unhoused people have tried to turn the other cheek but patience has worn thin due to regular slashing or tents and urinating on sleeping bags by housed neighbors. Do you want someone destroying your home then peeing on your stuff? If you do...

overgrown and some trash along the 109th 'entrance' (a gravel path leads to a gap in the chain link fence at the top of the hill), still felt safer than the sketch entrance on 103rd, with homeless folk not looking the most inviting (i turned around and sought entrance elsewhere).

the potential here is both heartbreaking and reflective of Portland's neglect of much east of the 205. would recommend hiking in pairs here. rarely have i felt vulnerable on an urban trail, but i definitely had my 'mug money' easily at the ready (always carry a little cash and a credit card to give up should someone demand such #sadfact).

all this said, there's so much promise, and the wildlife (caught eye of a small snake, and some of the most curious birds, curious of 'why is this guy here ... alone';) and understory almost transport your head from the flaws of the place. i found a fine spot to read and catch the sunset filtered through the trees. I'd say, for the winding down, it served...