Your Guide to Hiking, Backpacking & Camping in the Pacific Northwest
Saddle Mountain, located 12 miles east of the Oregon coast, offers panoramic views from the summit stretching from Mount Rainier to Mount Hood to the Columbia River and the Oregon coastline. In June, open meadows are filled with wildflowers, several of which are endemic to this area.
I've been enjoying hiking on less traveled trails recently. This section of the PCT near the Panther Creek campground had plenty of solitude, several unexpected wildflowers, and two great viewpoints.
This is a great conditioning hike, with a lot of elevation gain that isn't too difficult. May is a good time to see rhododendrons and bear grass in bloom.
Hike through a lush forest next to the scenic Ohanapecosh River – the jade green water of the river plunges through rocky gorges with several waterfalls along the way, including the majestic Silver Falls.
December is a great time to hike at Silver Falls State Park. The lodge and park entrance are all dressed up for the holidays, water levels are higher in the waterfalls, and there are far fewer crowds.
Silver Star Mountain, located in the Yacolt Burn area, is filled with summer wildflowers and includes panoramic views of the Cascades from the summit.
This longer loop to Silver Star Mountain takes the Tarbell and Sturgeon Rock trails to the summit, then returns via the Grouse Vista trail.
Located in Oregon's Coast Range, the Step Creek Loop is an easy hike that's great for a cloudy or rainy day.
This section of trail along Surveyors Ridge east of Mount Hood is popular with mountain bikers but it’s also a great trail for hikers, with wildflowers along the open ridges and interesting rock formations throughout.
Located next Mount Hood, this hike to Mirror Lake and Tom Dick Harry Mountain includes a scenic subalpine lake, a forest filled with rhododendrons, and panoramic views from the rocky peak.
Hike beside Hurricane Creek in the Wallowas for epic views of Sacajawea Peak, wildflower-filled meadows, and the dramatic Slick Rock Gorge.
Ride the Wallowa Lake Tram 3,700’ up to Mount Howard for a short loop trail with spectacular panoramic views of the rugged Wallowa Mountains.
In the spring, bright green new growth on alders and shrubs mix with woodland wildflowers lining the trail at Gales Creek.
Two night backpack trip in Indian Heaven Wilderness, with day hikes to Lemei Rock and the Lakes Basin
The Old Salmon River Trail is a great place to introduce hikers to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest's lush, mossy forests and scenic rivers.
Hug Point State Recreation Area, just five miles south of Cannon Beach, boasts a seasonal waterfall, sea caves, and a historic stagecoach road.
Snowshoeing next to the Salmon River in an old-growth rainforest.
Snowshoe hike to Tamanawas Falls through the prettiest winter forest of them all. This is an extremely popular location in the winter so go early!
On this three night backpacking trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, we hiked in to Rampart Lakes and day hiked up Alta Mountain.
On this three night backpacking trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, we hiked in via the Stuart Lake trailhead to Colchuck Lake.
The Green Lakes are nestled in a valley between South Sister and Broken Top in Central Oregon. On this 3 night trip, we setup a basecamp and day hiked to Golden Lake and explored the Broken Top Trail.
Located in the Mount Washington Wilderness in Central Oregon, Tenas Lakes are a group of subalpine lakes with rocky shorelines and blue-green water. We spent four days relaxing, swimming, and doing short exploration hikes in the area.
A great early-season backpacking destination, Packwood Lake is surrounded by old-growth forest and the ridges of Goat Rocks Wilderness.
Packwood Lake is a great early season backpacking option if you can find a good weather window. Even though the forecast called for rain every day, we lucked out and only had a brief period of bad weather.