The All-Trails Challenge (ATC) is designed to encourage walkers and runners to cover more than 50 miles (and over 11,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain) of selected trails and roads in Forest Park. Note: the total distance and elevation change to complete the Challenge will exceed 50 miles and 11,000 feet because some back-tracking will be necessary.

We hope that it will increase your awareness and knowledge of the park's many trails, features, and entrance points; that it will help you set goals for increased physical activity; and most importantly, that it will raise your awareness and love of this incomparable city park.

What is included? The trails, roads, and lanes in the All Trails Challenge are in three categories:

1. Wildwood Trail. All of Wildwood Trail is included in the ATC even though about three miles of it lie outside the bounds of Forest Park. On the ATC Check Off Form the Wildwood Trail is divided into 34 segments, corresponding to the locations where you can enter or leave the Wildwood Trail. The locations of these segments give lots of options for completion of this part of the ATC.
2. Leif Erikson Drive. This all-weather road lies completely within Forest Park and is accessible from about 15 connecting trails and roads. The ATC Check Off Form shows Leif Erikson divided into those corresponding segments.
3. Side Trails and Roads. These routes cross the park, generally from east to west, and interconnect the two main routes, Wildwood Trail and Leif Erikson Drive. They also connect the Wildwood Trail and Leif Erikson Drive with park boundary streets such as Thurman, Aspen, St. Helens Road, Skyline Boulevard, Germantown Road and 53rd Drive. Obscure, un-signed or hazardous trails have been omitted from the ATC. "Roads" included in this category include Saltzman, Springville, and Newton Roads and Holman Lane. (Most of these roads have been closed to traffic for about 20 years.) Also included are the upper sections of the BPA Road. However, the segment between its junction with Fire Lane 13 and St. Helens Road is not included because of the steepness and rocky surface. No Fire Lanes are included officially in the ATC but you may find yourself using them at times to get between some of the required segments.

What is in it for you? We hope that you will try to complete this Challenge because, like Mount Everest, "it is there", and that along the way you will have discovered some new sections of Forest Park as well as greater appreciation of its beauty and variety. After you finish the Challenge, send us your completed ATC Check Off Form. You'll receive a finisher's congratulation letter, and we will post your finisher results on our website. We may also extend an invitation to join and/or to volunteer some time with FFP.

How do I get started? We are working on updating the All Trails Challenge for 2008, but will still honor folks who complete the challenge in its current configuration. To begin the challenge, download and print all three forms below. You may also pick up the forms at our office (2366 NW Thurman).

If you have questions, feel free to browse the Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions or comments, you can reach us at 503-223-5449 or by sending an email to info@forestparkconservancy.org