Peter's Walking Tours and Continuing Education Courses.
Exploring Bonneville & Eagle Creek
Friday, August 1, 2025
Course Number SS412y or SS512y 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
We'll begin with a two mile leisurely hike to Wahclella Falls. Later, we’ll tour Bonneville Dam to learn more about its history and its impact in providing hydroelectric energy for the Portland area. We’ll also look at salmon populations and recreational opportunities in the area. An additional visit to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery will enable us to study sturgeon, trout, and salmon. A study of the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks will also be included. We may see salmon spawning in Eagle Creek and hatchery fish awaiting spawning at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery.
Upper Hood River Valley
Monday, August 4, 2025
Course Number SS417v/SS517v 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this exciting and informative new class, we’ll explore the natural and human history of the Upper Hood River Valley, and the NE slopes of Mt. Hood. We will examine the unique geology of this area and we’ll discuss native flora and fauna on two high elevation hikes in the Mt. Hood National Forest. We’ll also look at the area’s cultural sites with visits to Cooper Spur Resort and the Hutson Museum in Parkdale. Along the way, discussions will focus on ways to bring this information to our students in a variety of curriculum areas.
Exploring Southwest Portland and Dunthorpe
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Course Number SS410f or SS510f 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Explore natural woodlands, manicured gardens and beautiful estates, where science, architecture and history intersect. We’ll begin with a visit to Tryon Creek State Park, at 640 acres, the largest state park in an Oregon metropolitan area. Here, we’ll discover the accessible Trillium Trail, where dozens of plant species can be found. Later, visits to Lewis & Clark College, Foothills Park in Lake Oswego, and the Bishop’s Close will provide us with a look at beautiful estates and exquisite gardens. Along the way, we’ll stop to discuss ways to incorporate this information into history, science, math and language arts activities in grades K-12.
Biking the Columbia Gorge State Historic Trail
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Course Number SS413a or SS513a 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this fun and informative adventure, we will explore three different sections of the Columbia River Gorge State Historic Trail. Along the way, we’ll learn the history of the old highway, and we’ll discuss the geology, geography, waterfalls and flora of the area. Our morning explorations will take us from Cascade Locks to Tooth Rock, and from Wyeth to Starvation Creek. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way from Hood River to Mosier, passing through the Mosier Tunnels. TOTAL BICYCLING: Approximately 20 miles.
Hidden Hillsboro
Friday, August 8, 2025
Course Number SS410V or SS 510V 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this fun and informative class, we will tour Downtown Hillsboro and the Jackson Bottom Wetlands site in the morning. In the afternoon, we will tour the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, before concluding with a visit to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. This class will focus on local history, art, and the natural world. Dozens of ideas will be discussed for bringing information to students, through classroom lessons and field trips.
Hillsboro's Parks & Natural Areas
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Course Number SS419u/SS519u 1 Credit $140 (This class taught by Melissa Juska)
This new course visits four distinctive parks within the city of Hillsboro. In Hidden Creek Park East & West, discover sculptures, fountains, playgrounds, and sports fields next to the Hidden Creek Community Center. The paths in Dawson Creek Business Park near the Brookwood Library wind through a variety of habitats and natural areas. A tour of Shute Park shares the history of Hillsboro and its Cultural Arts District, including nearby facilities like Shute Park Library, the SHARC rec center, and Hillsboro Community Senior Center. Last, Noble Woods Park provides a study of native trees, plants, and wildlife. Each location offers a unique variety of community spaces, recreation options, public art, natural areas, and educational opportunities.
K-12 teachers in all subjects will discover teaching and field trip ideas for history, science, native plants & wildlife, writing, math, and art to bring back to their students. There will be opportunities for discussion, reflection, and networking with other educators throughout the day.
Lower Sandy River
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Course Number HI 407L/HI507L 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this fun and informative class, we’ll discover the natural and human history of the Sandy River, as we explore the lower Sandy, from Oxbow Park to the mouth of the river in Troutdale. Along the way, we’ll discuss Lewis and Clark, more recent local history, native trees, plants and birds, salmon populations, recreational opportunities, and the future of the river. The day’s exploration will take us through an ancient forest, along the banks of the Sandy River, and into Troutdale. Our studies will focus on ways to bring this information to students, across the curriculum, through classroom lessons and field trips.
Mt. Hood’s Alpine Areas
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Course Number SC418a 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
This class is not available to those who have already completed Mt. Hood's Western Slopes
In this fun and informative course, we will examine the alpine region of Mt. Hood, with visits to Mirror Lake and Trillium Lake, where we will explore the area’s plant and animal life. In addition, visits to the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Timberline Lodge will provide us with a study of the region’s human history. We will study art, architecture and the local economy, as well as the educational and recreational opportunities available near the mountain.
Our field study and discussion can be adapted to science, history and art curriculum for all K-12 classes. As a result of this course, you will be prepared to teach about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the human impacts in the region, past and present.
NOTE: We will walk about 5-7 miles during the day, so it will be important to arrive in relatively good physical shape. Our pace will be leisurely, and will focus on exploration, discovery and discussion. The materials packet should not exceed $10.
Exploring the Larch Mountain Trail (Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls Loop Hike): Birthplace of Multnomah Falls
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Course Number SC413j or SC513j 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
We will meet near the base of Multnomah Falls, where we will learn both the natural and human history of the area. Ascending the trail, we will cross the historic Benson Bridge and then reach the platform at the very top of Multnomah Falls. Continuing beyond Multnomah, we will discover several hidden waterfalls on our way to our lunch stop at Wahkeena Spring. In the afternoon, we will head down the scenic Wahkeena Trail, discovering Fairy Falls and Wahkeena Falls along the way. Eventually, we will complete the six-mile loop hike with a return to our starting point.