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T3 Trail uphill to Council Crest

The beginning of the hiking trail starts off auspicious for the first 30 feet...
The beginning of the hiking trail starts off auspicious for the first 30 feet...
...but quickly runs into a great diversity of trail conditions...
...but quickly runs into a great diversity of trail conditions...
...which may prove to be obstacles for some users...
...which may prove to be obstacles for some users...
...which may prove to be obstacles for some users...
...which may prove to be obstacles for some users...
...but there are some sections that seem rather smooth...
...but there are some sections that seem rather smooth...
...and that cause one to hope it will be like this from here on. Unfortunately, no.
...and that cause one to hope it will be like this from here on. Unfortunately, no.
After 1/2 mile a long stairway gets us to the first intersection - SW Patton and Talbot Roads
After 1/2 mile a long stairway gets us to the first intersection - SW Patton and Talbot Roads
Or, at least, if one can get across the final 8” barrier onto the pavement
Or, at least, if one can get across the final 8” barrier onto the pavement
Follow the signs to cross the intersection and then to pass in front of the Chevron station...
Follow the signs to cross the intersection and then to pass in front of the Chevron station...
...and more signs, now along SW Talbot Road......for a total of about 1,000 feet...
...and more signs, now along SW Talbot Road......for a total of about 1,000 feet...
...with various conditions, that are increasingly difficult...
...with various conditions, that are increasingly difficult...
...and finally requiring to hike in the road itself for a short distance — beware!...
...and finally requiring to hike in the road itself for a short distance — beware!...
...and suddenly we emerge at SW Fairmount with a telltale trail marker in the distance
...and suddenly we emerge at SW Fairmount with a telltale trail marker in the distance
The intersection allows on-street parking for a paved route up to Council Crest...
The intersection allows on-street parking for a paved route up to Council Crest...
...if one can get across the barriers
...if one can get across the barriers
Start of the final 1/4 mile paved section — steep, but consistent — all the way to Council Crest
Start of the final 1/4 mile paved section — steep, but consistent — all the way to Council Crest
The final 1/4 mile paved section — steep, but consistent — all the way to Council Crest
The final 1/4 mile paved section — steep, but consistent — all the way to Council Crest
This section has a different character along the way — more open and filled with light
This section has a different character along the way — more open and filled with light
Phew! Council Crest at 1,073 feet is the highest point in the city of Portland
Phew! Council Crest at 1,073 feet is the highest point in the city of Portland
There is on-street parking around the perimeter — but there are no marked spaces
There is on-street parking around the perimeter — but there are no marked spaces
Several ramped walks take one to the plaza level...
Several ramped walks take one to the plaza level...
...where there are large seating walls, with splendid mountain views...
...where there are large seating walls, with splendid mountain views...
...and even benches with companion seating...
...and even benches with companion seating...
...and drinking fountains — but don’t drink too much, because there seem to be no “facilities”
...and drinking fountains — but don’t drink too much, because there seem to be no “facilities”
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T3 Trail from Oregon Zoo up to Council Crest

Congratulations! Now that you have found the beginning of the hiking trail — a 1.2 mile section of the Marquam Trail — it’s all uphill from here.


This trail immediately provides an encyclopedia of what can be considered trail obstacles to many users, making the terms easy and even moderate — as used by some reviewers — seem laughable and outright insensitive.

After about 1/2 mile one leaves the trail for about 1,000 feet to negotiate two intersections, even requiring to hike in the road for a short distance — extreme caution — see detail map to the right. But once we arrive at Council Crest, the sense of open space and views are their own reward.

Move over Las Vegas, Council Crest Amusement Park was the early 20th century answer to “why do people climb mountains?” To ride the roller coaster of course! Or, the Columbia Gorge, a paddle-wheeler on top of the mountain with its own waterway. 

Click maps for larger maps

Check out the PDXHistory website for additional information.

Click image for more information about Council Crest

Yes! We've arrived at Council Crest

The final leg: Fairmount to Council Crest

Negotiating the two road intersections

The first leg from the zoo to the intersection

Negotiating the intersections