What makes a great hike? I would say ease of access, scenery, variety, options, and something cool nearby to do afterwards. That’s why I think the Paradise Park loop from Timberline Lodge is one of the best hikes on Mount Hood. Just the starting point is worth visiting: Timberline Lodge was built in the 1930s […]
All of us in Portland are aware of Willamette Falls, but how many of us have really seen it? And we all know that there is an old paper mill there that’s closed, but how many of us know about the massive riverwalk being imagined and designed for that site? You can now take a […]
I love going to see fall colors in Portland, and this week I took a group up to Hoyt Arboretum for a volunteer-led tour. It’s always a nice time to visit the Arboretum, whether in spring for blooms, summer for cool shade, winter to get some exercise on their 12 miles of trails, or fall for all […]
Over Labor Day Weekend, I helped to lead the Mazamas’ annual Round The Mountain hike, where we hike the Timberline Trail in three days, spending each night in their lodge near Government Camp. It’s a great way to hike the Timberline Trail, staying indoors with three cooked meals per day and van support to the […]
I might have a new favorite place to go hiking on Mount Hood. It’s beyond Ramona Falls, which everybody knows about, but hardly anybody goes to this place; and it’s a long walk, which not everyone will want to do. But the solitude, remoteness and beauty of Yocum Ridge gave me a bit of that […]
When it gets too hot in Portland and you want to get away, what you need is a hike with lots of shade, lots of water, and not too much hassle. Consider the Roaring River Wilderness, up the Clackamas River. This is a 90-minute drive to a pleasant, up-and-down loop with six lakes, a flower-filled meadow, […]
The prime season for hikes near Portland is upon us, and I have decided to celebrate by offering all of my books for $12 each. That’s anywhere from $2 to $6 off, and if you buy more than one, shipping is free. You’d better hurry, though — this offer ends at midnight on August 3. […]
With spring break coming up, I figure lots of folks will be heading out to go hiking with their kids. And even if we have a normal winter, by that time the Columbia River Gorge is usually snow-free in the lower elevations, making for great spring hiking. Of course, 2015 is turning into “the winter […]
Every year about this time, I start thinking about hiking my butt back into shape. I get out of shape every winter because I basically dislike (A) hiking in the rain, (B) driving on snow, and (C) the gym. So I eat and relax all winter, then hit the trails in the spring. But which […]
If you are into hiking near Portland, Oregon, you probably already know about portlandhikers.org. You might not know that every year they produce a really cool Portland hiking calendar. Sales of the calendar, which includes photos from users on the site, benefit Trailkeepers of Oregon, which runs the website. TKO’s mission is “to protect and […]