Access Aspen Trailhead in Forest Park with Public Transportation

How to access the Aspen Trailhead via the 26 bus 

Option 1 (includes stairs)

• To access the trailhead via the 26 bus, exit the bus at NW Thurman Street and NW 34^th Avenue (stop IDs: 5843 (westbound) or 5844 (eastbound)). 
   
• From this location, park visitors should travel uphill (west) along NW Thurman Street approximately 280 feet to a staircase that cuts up between residences on Thurman Street. There is sidewalk on both sides of the street along this section of NW Thurman Street. 
   
• Turn left onto the staircase and climb just over 100 stairs over approximately 230 lateral feet / approximately 70 feet elevation gain. 
   
• At the top of the staircase and the intersection with NW Aspen Avenue, turn right onto NW Aspen Avenue, and travel for approximately 200 feet. There is sidewalk on both sides of the street along this section of NW Aspen Avenue.
   
• The trailhead will be on your left and is marked by a small sign that reads “Aspen Trail.”
   
• Total distance for this route is approximately 730 feet. Total elevation gain is over 80 feet, primarily in the staircase. 

Option 2 (steeper hill but no stairs)

• To access the trailhead via the 26 bus, exit the bus at NW Thurman Street and NW 34^th Avenue (stop IDs: 5843 (westbound) or 5844 (eastbound). 
   
• From this location, park visitors should turn south onto NW 34^th Avenue. Travel uphill approximately 270 feet (elevation gain more than 40 feet) to the intersection with NW Franklin Court. This is a steep hill; the maximum grade is 10.5% but approximately 9-10.5% is sustained over the entire block. There is sidewalk on both sides of the street along this section of NW 34^th Avenue. 
   
• Turn right onto NW Franklin Court. There is a short curb cut on the south side of this intersection that has a grade of 14.5%. Travel uphill approximately 290 feet (elevation gain more than 50 feet) to the intersection with NW Aspen Avenue. The maximum grade along this block is 10.5% but approximately 9-10.5% is sustained over the entire block. The north side of the street has approximately three viable landing pads at staggered distances along the block, where the grade lessens to 2-4%. There is sidewalk on both sides of the street along this section of NW Franklin Court.
   
• Turn right onto NW Aspen Avenue and travel approximately 470 feet to the trailhead. There is a slight elevation loss over this section of the route, with the average grade 4-6% over this distance. There is sidewalk on both sides of the street along this section of NW Aspen Avenue but limited curb cuts may mean that visitors must cross the street to utilize sidewalk. 
   
• The trailhead will be on your left and is marked by a small sign that reads “Aspen Trail.”
   
• Total distance for this route is approximately 1,160 feet. Total elevation gain is over 100 feet, primarily in travel along NW 34^th Avenue and NW Franklin Court. 

Option 3 (longer lateral distance but less steep and no stairs)

• To access the trailhead via the 26 bus, exit the bus at NW Thurman Street and Gordon (stop ID: 5824). There are limited curb cuts in this area so please use caution if traveling in the street or on the sidewalk. 
   
• From this location, park users should travel uphill (west) along NW Thurman Street approximately .2 mile (approximately 75 feet elevation gain) to the intersection with NW Aspen Avenue. At the beginning of this part of the route there is a steep but short section (maximum 7 feet) of the sidewalk along the northeast side of NW Thurman Street where the maximum grade is 14.5%. For the remainder of this part of the route, the grade averages approximately 6%. There is sidewalk on both sides of the street along this section of NW Thurman Street. 
   
• At the intersection with NW Aspen Avenue, turn left. The grade at this location is maximum 8-9%. 
   
• Continue southeast on NW Aspen Avenue for approximately .3 mile. There are slight increases and decreases in elevation gain along this section of NW Aspen Avenue, with an average grade of 2-4% but sustained over the length of this part of the route. There is sidewalk on both sides of the street along this section of NW Aspen Avenue, but limited curb cuts so please use caution. 
   
• The trailhead will be on your right and is marked by a small sign that reads “Aspen Trail.”
   
• Total distance for this route is approximately 2,810 feet. Total elevation gain is over 80 feet. 

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For more information about PP&R's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II, visit the Portland Parks & Recreation Civil Rights protections webpage.  

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Liv Brumfield, Renew Forest Park Coordinator, at 503-545-8717 or Liv.Brumfield@portlandoregon.gov.