Pdxguide

Despite what you may think of Reed College and its students (Reedies), the campus is a pretty nice place to go. The jewel of it is the Reed Canyon, a 26 acre natural area running lengthwise west-east through the heart of the property. The brook here is Crystal Springs, its source near SE 37th in the east and then flowing westward to Johnson Creek. Crystal Springs Creek is the last free-flowing stream in this part of town, and its lake is “the only naturally occurring pond (or lake) remaining in the inner-city area.” There is a nature trail that circles the ravine and is a great respite from the urban-ness that surrounds it. The lush canopy of trees above the steep sides of the ravine provide great relief on a hot summer day. If you don’t want to enter from the main entrance, there are a couple of sneak entrances, at the deadend of SE 37th Ave a couple blocks south of Steele, and at the deadend of SE Reedway just to the west of 39th.