NW 53rd Dr trailhead

We did the Northwest Leif Erickson Drive and Keil Trail Loop. It is a nice easy loop.

Well maintained and well-used trail. This the first time we hiked here and enjoyed being surprised by unexpected finds. (See pics)

A little busy than preferred but decent street parking and beautiful scenery! I wouldn't go here if you're looking for somewhere to sit down though, I was hoping to find a place to draw and had to turn around at one point because there were no break offs.

climate: went here on a thursday afternoon in August, around 4:00 PM and it was both well shaded and bright. I imagine if we got here earlier it wouldnt have been too hot either. traffic: few people were on the trails so lots of street parking available. we left by 5:30 and it was still relatively bright and we saw a few parties start their hike as we left. Scenery/hike: the scenery is gorgeous (ferns, pines, birds, and even a banana slug) but the trees are more or less the same for what seems like the whole way through. you dont hear much of the roads at all except when at the trailheads so its very nice and peaceful. elevation is very gentle. for the most part, paths are just barely wide enough for two people. from this trail head and about 2 miles in, i think we saw about 2 benches? not many.

You can go right or left from this trailhead. I went right along the one way trail you can see in the attached photo. It was nice, but a little too steep for me. My impression of Forest Park based on this hike is that it’s one big forest, so the direction you go doesn’t matter too much because it’s all mostly undifferentiated very beautiful trees, ivy, ferns, moss and so on. Perhaps there are portions that are unique that I haven’t seen yet.