Trillium Lake’s Boardwalk: A Scenic Win For Accessibility

By Guest Author: De Lena Perry

When I saw the ribbon cutting for the boardwalk around Trillium Lake, I couldn't wait to return to this picturesque scene as a wheelchair user to find out for myself just how accessible this two-mile loop really is for someone with a mobility impairment. First, this iconic destination has been one of my all-time favorites for years. I thoroughly enjoyed this location before my injury, and the uncertainty of accessibility kept me from making the hour-plus drive up the mountain. With the hope of increased accessibility, I was eager to catch the turning of the leaves in the fall on a warm October day and excited to share my experience.

As I drove up Highway 26, the drive itself did not disappoint. I soon reached Sandy, Oregon, a quaint little town along the route which was cute and inviting. This is a great place to stop and get lunch, coffee or a souvenir. Heading up the mountain, the road twists and turns with stunning views of Mt. Hood appearing right before my eyes. The Highway was lined with a multitude of beautiful trees along the way, all of which were in full display of autumn in several shades of orange, yellow, green and red.

When I entered the Trillium Lake area, I followed the signs for day use and the boat ramp area. This is where I would have gone in the past, and I wanted to compare my experiences. I must say that the view from this area is absolutely stunning, one of the most breathtaking experiences. It is worth the drive to see this beautiful location, especially in the fall when the summer crowds have left. But I wasn't only there for the view. I was there to find out if this boardwalk was truly accessible and report back to a community of avid wheelchair hikers if this was a place that we could navigate, experience and explore.

The lake is round and visible from the boat launching area, so I assumed that the boardwalk would be easily accessed from either day-use location. When I started my track to find the highly anticipated path, I was both disappointed and confused. There is a small dock by the boat launch that gives you excellent visibility of the mountain and the lake. I was puzzled when I could not visibly see it from this location. When looking forward to the lake from the boat launching area, I started my roll to find the boardwalk going left from this location towards the day use area. I was immediately limited by uneven ground, tree roots and lifted concrete paths. I was forced to take a higher trail in the trees. Although beautiful, it was away from the setting that I longed to see. And it was certainly not the accessible boardwalk that I was looking for.

The uneven terrain was too much for a manual chair, and I was forced to use my full-size power chair. I think it's noteworthy to speak on this slightly. I have what I'd like to call the small (manual) chair, medium (portable power) and large chair (full-size power wheelchair). For the sake of this article, it is essential to note that I was only able to use the full-size power wheelchair on the paths around the lake.

Making my way through the trees I enjoyed an astonishing view of Mt. Hood reflecting onto Trillium Lake, but I still didn’t know where the boardwalk was. I eventually met a lady who was using a walker and asked her if she was familiar with the newly improved portion of the trail. She informed me of her concerns to navigate the trail in my wheelchair around the lake and that she brings a chair to sit and admire the views. But doesn't risk the unsteady ground or chance of falling. I needed to experience what she was speaking about so I continued to follow the lake clockwise until I could no longer access the lake in my chair. Unsteady ground closes this portion of the lake to anyone using a mobility device. 

Back at the boat launch, I started over again. This time I went to the right and found that is what I should have done from the beginning. However, that being said, my suggestion for those who are seeking the portion of trail that has been renovated for better accessibility, is to start near the campground amphitheater. If I were solely trying to access the boardwalk portion of the trail, I would have followed signs to the campground and parked near the amphitheater. However, choosing this route takes away the breathtaking view you experience from the day-use area, so I suggest at least experiencing the site from the day-use area before traveling on the trail.

Once I finally found the boardwalk, I would say that it was mostly accessible. I was able to enjoy a stroll of just over a mile in my chair before a large boulder blocked the pathway. Some portions of the boardwalk had some broken boards, which may have deterred some wheelchair users from being comfortable driving on it with the heavy weight of a full-size chair. I navigated through it with no issues. There were places where the boardwalk would end or begin on a compact dirt trail or some newly added gravel to piece together the gaps. The trail is gorgeous, winding in and out of the forest alongside the campgrounds, weaving back and forth from lakeside views with the smell of pine, old growth and Douglas fir; in addition, the array of colors that were added due to the time of year was truly remarkable. 

Please note that there are limited ADA parking spaces at this park and limited full trail access for individuals with impaired mobility. The vault toilets or privies are accessible but dark. They are large enough to enter with a full-sized chair and turn around, grab bars are installed but soap and sanitizer are not, so make sure you pack some for the trip.

Hands down Trillium Lake is a must-see for everyone. The addition of the new boardwalk does increase accessibility. Although wheeling your mobility devices around the circumference of the lake is not reasonably possible, you will not be disappointed at this majestic view of Mt. Hood and its gorgeous reflection on Trillium Lake. I could not imagine a more beautiful scene to represent the best in Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory.