Nature Nearby: Places To Visit When Life Gets Stressful
April 12, 2023
Being a student is not easy. Life is stressful. It’s easy to get caught up in school, sports, or extracurricular activities. Combatting stress can seem daunting and impossible sometimes; however, getting a peaceful break can be as simple as a trip outside.
Here are three spots of accessible nature less than 15 minutes away from La Salle: Altamont Park, Hidden Falls Nature Park, and Scouters Mountain Nature Park.
Altamont Park
The sun is setting on the horizon at Altamont Park.
The sunset at Altamont Park on a cloudy evening.
Altamont Park is known for its exceptionally gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. There is also tall grass, a trail for walking, and a playground. It’s definitely a smaller park; however the views make up for the small acreage.
Scouters Mountain Nature Park
The view on Scouters Mountain overlooking the city.
Two deer graze in the tall grass at Scouters Mountain Nature Park.
A resting area at Scouters Mountain Nature Park where the sun peeks through the trees.
Trees and tall grass provide habitat for fauna.
Scouters Mountain Nature Park is located in Happy Valley. You can walk the trail up to the viewpoint or drive. The trail is about a mile long and the entirety of it is surrounded by a forest of tall trees.
At the top is a breathtaking view of the valley and Mt. Hood in the distance. There is a bench located right in front to sit and enjoy the view. When temperatures warm up, the park has a picnic shelter, and if picnic tables aren’t your thing, there is a large open field where you can opt to sit as well.
Hidden Falls Nature Park
Bridge to explore more trails and get close to the waterfalls.
The creek at Hidden Falls is scattered with mossy rocks.
Many plants and trees bring life to Hidden Falls Nature Park.
The trailhead for Hidden Falls Nature Park on Pioneer Drive and 156th is located in the middle of a suburb. It’s slightly tricky to find, especially since it’s easy to miss the trailhead. However, once you find it, it’s a quick walk to the bridge and to the first waterfall. The views are impressive and accompanied by the soothing sound of the falls. The trail is paved and also pet-friendly.
There are two access points to Hidden Falls: one north of Rock Creek at Pioneer Drive and 156th, the other south of Rock Creek at 162nd avenue.
Oregon is known for its greenery. There is no shortage of nature parks, hiking trails, and viewpoints across the state. These three accessible trails provide easy access to the beauty that Oregon has to offer. They provide a great opportunity to get outside and remember that there is so much more to life than school.
