Rating: Easy-Difficult

Surface: Crusher fines, some areas of larger gravel. The ramp is a combination of crusher fine and road base gravel.

Width: Average: 5-6’ 

Running slope: Varies between 5.5-16.5% in the steepest parts

Shade: Very exposed, some minimal opportunity for shade under trees along trail

Current Conditions On Site: The main Bluff Lake loop trail is mostly dry with some muddy and icy patches in shaded areas. The Creek Loop trail is very muddy.

Please be aware that certain areas of the site will be difficult to access after a large rain event. This is especially true for our Creek Loop, which has considerably muddy trails and may have a couple inches of water to cross immediately following a rain event.

Please be sure to stay on the trail at all times, and do not go off trail, as this disturbs habitats and erode the surrounding areas.

Picnic: Two picnic tables (seats attached around the table) near the parking lot. No food allowed on the main part of the site. 

Structures: The pergola offers a shaded area to view the site, mountains, and city from the parking lot area. There is an amphitheater at the base of the ramp that provides shade. Benches are located intermittently along the trail. 
Restrooms: 3 sets of portalettes: 1 set in the parking lot area that has one ADA compliant unit and one standard unit, 1 ADA compliant unit near the amphitheater structure at the bottom of the ramp, 1 standard unit near the boardwalk.

Notes and Hard Spots: 

There is a ramp and stairs leading from the parking lot to the main, lower level of the site. The ramp is crusher fine and a running slope varying between 6-9%, making it a steep slope with no landings to pause, and a few ruts caused by water runoff. This has been noted as a challenging route for wheelchair users, and Bluff Lake is currently assessing ways to improve the accessibility of the ramp. 

The Lake Loop trails are wide and have a surface of crusher fine. Trails that are north and east of the lake have shaded areas and are flat. There is an accessible bird blind at the northwest tip of the lake, though getting back from the bird blind to the trail can be challenging due to the slope of the structure’s ramp. 

Once you pass the bird blind and follow the trail south and west of the lake, there is a considerable slope up to the prairie area that can be a challenge with a running slope varying between 5.5-7.5%. Once at the prairie area, there is considerably less shade. 

Coming down from the prairie area to the outfall, there is another considerable slope that has water runoff ruts and a running slope varying between 6-9%. 

Work We’ve Done: 

Bluff Lake is engaging with groups who represent people with various abilities, including people who use wheelchairs. Our staff has conducted site visits, audits, surveys, and interviews to shed a brighter light on the accessibility issues that make our site difficult to navigate and enjoy. Results of this engagement include the changes to our portapottie, including adding pavers for easier access to the ADA compliant portapottie by the amphitheater.

Work We’ve Yet to Do: 

Bluff Lake is creating a master plan of campus improvements, which will address the accessibility issues we have discovered. Areas for improvement include the parking lot, the ramp, spots on the trail, creek access, shaded structures, seating areas, and more. We hope that you will continue to engage with us and tell us the issues you are facing, as this feedback gives us a better understanding of the work that needs to be done. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Development Manager Leila Regan-Porter (leila@blufflake.org) or Natural Resources Manager Tess Robeson (tess@blufflake.org).

This map illustrates a work in progress, featuring actual feedback from visitors showing areas we are working to improve.