The Green Loop trail starts at fountains on the Quad
By PIP SWINGER | Staff Reporter
The expansive campus of WSU Vancouver is crisscrossed by hiking and biking trails that wind through streams, meadows, and forests. Over six miles of labeled trails are open to the public and maintained year-round to keep them safe and available. Of these trails, the Green Loop is perhaps the most accessible trail with one of the best views on campus.
One element that makes this trail easy to access is that it begins right in the middle of campus at the Quad. From the Quad follow the path that heads straight towards Mount St. Helens, passing between the Life Science and Clark College buildings and winding down the hill beyond them. At the bottom of the hill cross the street, then turn left and cross over the two crosswalks here to begin hiking uphill along a gentle curve towards the Red lot, though at a much more sedate incline than the hill we just went down to get here.
There are no trail maps along the Green Loop, likely because this path has the most clearly defined route to follow. So long as you are sticking to the path, the campus’ buildings should always remain in eyesight to help keep you oriented. Once you have walked up through the Red lot and under its many autumn trees there will be a split in the path. Left is where the parking is, but we’ll take the turnoff to the right that leads out of the sparse tree covering and into a small, flat field.
The paved trail running through the field that sits by the Red lot is lined with solar-powered lamps that automatically turn on at dusk, and further up lies two spots where the path branches out into the neighborhoods surrounding the WSU Vancouver campus. The Green Loop does not exit campus grounds, so we will be straying to the left edge of the field path as it curves and leads us up another gentle incline. Carving its way between natural brambles and bushes that make up the natural wetland barrier that so many small creatures call home, this part of the path provides a good chance of being able to see a bunny or other furry friend as it dives between its dens.
Continuing on, the top of the amphitheater may very well provide the most impressive view of WSU Vancouver and Salmon Creek as a whole. From here you can look out over the entire campus and the natural beauty of the area. There’s no wonder why the campus prides itself on being a nature reserve when you see the view from this spot. From here, you’ll also be able to see the Quad, where we began and will end our hike.
There are multiple ways to get back to this spot from the top of the hill, and on any trail map the Green Loop trail will be marked to have a path leading directly down the steep amphitheater steps. However, in the time since these trails were established and marked on maps, this section of the path has grown over and will not be safe to walk down in wet conditions, something that is all too common in rainy Washington. The route we will be taking to end our hike will simply continue forwards. Keep following the path atop the theater until you can safely turn left and begin descending. This paved path loops its way down the incline and back to the heart of the campus.
Overall, the Green Loop trail provides a simple workout for any member of the community, with some natural scenery to back it up. This trail is good for stretching your legs after class, brainstorming a project, or discussing details with group members. With no stairs, it could be taken with mobility aids, strollers, pets, and scooters, making it particularly accessible among students and local residents alike for its ease of exercise that the trail provides for our local community.
Walking time: 20 minutes with shortcuts, 30 minutes without
Difficulty: Easy, gently rolling terrain
Why? A quick walk to recharge between classes