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East Buttes facts for kids

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Gresham Butte
Gabbert Hill (left) and Walter's Hill, seen from the north near Main City Park

The East Buttes are a group of old, inactive volcanoes located in and around Gresham, Oregon, in the United States. They are part of a larger area called the Boring Lava Field. These volcanoes started forming at least 2.7 million years ago. They have been quiet and inactive for about 300,000 years, meaning they are now considered extinct.

These interesting landforms stretch from the southeastern part of Portland all the way to Damascus. Some of the most well-known East Buttes include Gresham Butte, which is also called Walter's Hill, along with Gabbert Hill and Towle Butte.

Exploring the East Buttes: Saddle Trail

Greshambuttexmas
The East Buttes natural area near the Saddle Trail

The Gresham Butte Saddle Trail is a cool path that winds through natural open spaces. These areas are owned by Metro, a regional government, and the City of Gresham. The trail used to be an old road for logging, which means it was used to transport cut trees.

This trail has Gresham Butte on its north side. On the south side, you'll find Towle Butte and Gabbert Hill. It's a great place to explore nature!

Nature and Wildlife on the Buttes

The open spaces around the East Buttes are home to many different plants. Several small streams that flow into Johnson Creek can be found here. The main trees you'll see are tall black cottonwood, red alder, and towering Douglas-fir trees.

However, there are also some plants that are not native to this area. These include Himalayan blackberry and European holly. You can even find a big patch of European holly right in the middle of the Saddle Trail.

The Abandoned Bus Mystery

Deep within the forest of the East Buttes, there's an old, abandoned bus. This bus wasn't for passengers; it was used to move water pipes. These pipes were part of a big project planned in the 1970s called the Mount Hood Freeway.

But the freeway project never happened. Many people in the community spoke out against it, and because of their strong objections, the project was stopped. The bus and the plans for the freeway were left behind, becoming a hidden piece of history in the woods.

Protecting Gabbert Hill

Gabbert Hill is another important part of the East Buttes. A large section of land on Gabbert Hill was once planned to become a housing development called Darby Ridge. However, in 2007, Metro and the City of Gresham worked together to buy this land.

By acquiring the land, they helped protect it from development. Now, Gabbert Hill remains a natural area, preserving its beauty and importance for wildlife and the community.

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