The Trolley Trail

In our #GEOroadtrip series, we’ll be featuring fun places to go (both near and far) that are related to our disciplines. Come with us and see the world through the eyes of an engineer or geologist!

Bike down a historic Trolley right-of-way, and travel from Milwaukie to Gladstone 1890s-style!

For our last installment, we wanted to recommend something that represents the environmental side of what we do, so we chose a scenic site not too far from home: the Trolley Trail. This was actually a GeoDesign project—the conversion of a historic trolley route into a biking and walking trail. We provided integrated environmental and geotechnical engineering services (as part of a design team led by HHPR), including addressing the disposal of contaminated soil.

Now that the trail has been completed, you can cycle from Milwaukie to Gladstone via the same route passengers on the historic trolley took more than a century ago.

Before you go:

• Check out North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District’s website for a map and amenities.
• To see historic photos of the original Portland Traction Company streetcar line, take a look at HHPR’s collection.
• Feeling really ambitious? Check out this 20-mile route from Portland that includes the Trolley Trail.
• Need to fuel up mid-ride? Plan a stop-off at Roake’s, a classic hot dog and burger joint, located just off the Trolley Trail in Milwaukie.