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Street Ramble PSU
Street Ramble Balch
Street Ramble
Mazama Street Rambles
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 – 8 p.m. Be sure to show up at 5:45 PM, sign the waiver, and be ready to go.
(Meet at Keen Garage, 505 NW 13th, year-round)
Going on a street ramble is one of the best ways to get an introduction to the Mazama hiking program. Meet other hikers, maintain your fitness, and explore hidden parts of Portland you might never see otherwise. We have options for a variety of paces and skill levels. Best of all, it's free! See our FAQ below for complete information.
Make sure you're in proper footwear, dress for the weather, and bring water as well as a headlamp or flashlight.
See you there!
FAQs
Who Rambles?
Everyone!
Rambles, like all Mazamas activities, are open to members and non-members. Non-members are especially encouraged to join these hikes.
Weather Cancellations
If Portland Public Schools is closed due to inclement weather, if the forecast exceeds 95 degrees, or if the air quality is designated as Unhealthy (AQI 151+), Rambles will be cancelled.
Cost
There is no cost to Ramble with us! If you enjoy your experience or find that you've become a regular Rambler, please consider supporting our mission and activities with a donation.
Meeting Location
Keen Garage (505 NW 13th Ave.)
Dates
Year Round: Every Tuesday and Thursday at Keen Garage (505 NW 13th Ave.). Rain or shine, except major holidays!
Group size
Tuesdays tend to have more hikers than Thursdays, and there will often be less hikers when it is rainy or cold. Sunny summer evenings could see 80+ people, while a rainy evening in January could see 10 to 15.
Time
Rambles leave at 6 p.m. sharp.
We recommend arriving 10 to 15 minutes early so you are sure to catch the group.
Rambles go out for exactly 2 hours.
Destinations
In the drier months, Rambles typically head to Washington Park, the Zoo, Pittock Mansion, Arboretum or Forest Park. During the less-than-dry times, we try to stay more on the pavement. For eastside Rambles, we typically head to Mt. Tabor.
Gear
Running shoes are fine for summer. In wetter weather, more waterproof footwear might be better. Bring clothing appropriate for the season, a flashlight or headlamp for winter, and at least a liter of water.
Pace
On Tuesdays, we usually have three to five groups that are split into groups of leisurely, moderate and fast paced hiking. On Thursdays, we typically have two to four groups.
- The leisurely (or less than moderate) group is geared to hikers wishing a gentle trek providing exercise without a fast pace (and those just starting out). It rarely has more than 500 feet of elevation gain and goes 5 to 5.5 miles.
- The moderate group(s) goes at a faster pace with more distance and elevation gain. A common ‘moderate’ destination is a hike with 800 feet gain and six miles round trip distance in two hours.
- The fast group goes, well, pretty fast.
Sign In/Waiver
All Ramble participants must sign in and agree to our waiver prior to Rambling. Waivers and sign in sheets are available in person at the Ramble.
