Rachel & Rampart Lakes Backpacking Trip – Alpine Lakes Wilderness
On this challenging three night backpacking trip, we stayed at Rachel Lake the first night, then continued up to Rampart Lakes for two more nights.
Your Guide to Hiking, Backpacking & Camping in the Pacific Northwest
Doris Lake Backpacking Trip – Three Sisters Wilderness
The Six Lakes Basin in the Three Sisters Wilderness is full of lakes that are perfect for a relaxing backpacking trip. We spent two nights at Doris Lake on a trip that included swimming in the lake and relaxing, but very little hiking.
Green Lakes Backpacking Trip – Three Sisters Wilderness
On this three night backpacking trip in the Three Sisters Wilderness, we camped at the Green Lakes and did day hikes to Broken Top and Golden Lake.
Wahtum Lake & Chinidere Mountain Backpacking Trip – Columbia River Gorge
Wahtum Lake is located west of Hood River, between Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. There are many trails that cross through this area, including Eagle Creek, Herman Creek and the PCT.
Catherine Creek & Rowland Basin Hike – Columbia River Gorge
Escaping the rainy weather in Portland, this loop hike at Catherine Creek offered open skies and scenic trails with stunning views of the river below.
Herman Creek Pinnacles Hike – Columbia River Gorge
The basalt monoliths on this hike aren’t the only interesting feature: a metal footbridge over lovely Herman Creek, wispy Pacific Crest Falls, and a mossy section of lava boulders add to the appeal.
Herman Creek Trail to Casey Creek Hike – Columbia River Gorge
The Herman Creek Trail is one of the areas that was damaged in the September 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. This hike has been a favorite trail of mine for awhile, so I was curious to see how it fared after the fire.
Angels-Devils-Wahkeena Loop Hike – Columbia River Gorge
This strenuous loop hike starts at Angels Rest, continues to Devils Rest, then heads down to Wahkeena Spring before going back up to Angels Rest. We timed our hike for sunset and hiked out in the dark back to the trailhead.
Angels Rest Hike at Sunset – Columbia River Gorge
Angels Rest is a classic location for a sunset hike. The views at the top are amazing, and it's not too far to hike out in the dark. Just make sure to take a headlamp!
Archer Mountain Hike – Columbia River Gorge
Archer Mountain is located on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, west of Hamilton Mountain. The trail is steep and unmaintained with a couple of sketchy sections near the Quiver Point and Arrow Point viewpoints.
Cape Horn Loop Hike – Columbia River Gorge
Cape Horn is located on the Columbia River near the town of Washougal – and offers outstanding views of the Columbia River from the trails.
Catherine Creek & Rowland Basin Hike – Columbia River Gorge
When spring wildflowers are blooming, the Catherine Creek and Coyote Wall areas are popular with hikers. To avoid crowds, consider this loop hike located between these two areas.
Catherine Creek & Tracy Hill Hike – Columbia River Gorge
The Catherine Creek area is known for spring wildflowers, but it also features panoramic views of the Columbia River from Tracy Hill on this scenic loop hike.
Hardy Ridge Winter Hike – Columbia River Gorge
At Beacon Rock State Park, several former logging roads have been gated and turned into trails for hikers and equestrians. Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain are the more popular destinations here, while Hardy Ridge is far less crowded.
Garfield Peak Hike – Crater Lake National Park
One of the Crater Lake National Park’s highest points, Garfield Peak offers outstanding panoramic views of Crater Lake, the Klamath Basin, and the Cascades.
Mount Scott Hike – Crater Lake National Park
Located on the east side of Crater Lake, Mount Scott is the highest point in the park (8,929 ft.), with a working fire lookout at the summit.
Wizard Island Boat Ride & Hike – Crater Lake National Park
The trail to the top of Wizard Island offers the unique experience of hiking on a volcano inside a volcano. Wizard Island was formed about 7,300 years ago, emerging from Crater Lake in a shower of fiery cinders that piled into a symmetrical cone, with lava flowing around the island and forming its shores.
Dry Creek Falls via PCT Hike – Columbia River Gorge
This short hike to the Dry Creek waterfall starts in Cascade Locks on the Pacific Crest Trail heading south.
Fern Canyon Hike – Redwoods National Park
Located in Redwoods National Park near Gold Bluffs Beach, Fern Canyon is a unique hike through a creek with sheer canyon walls covered in ferns.
Hamilton Mountain Hike – Columbia River Gorge
It's been over 5 years since I hiked to the summit of Hamilton Mountain. While the hike felt just as strenuous as it ever had, this was the first time I've hiked there in the fall. Vine maples filled the lower forest with shades of yellow, while a light amount of snow covered the top.
Hamilton Mountain & Hardy Creek Loop Hike – Columbia River Gorge
The hike up to the summit of Hamilton Mountain offers many rewards: waterfalls, streams, interesting rock formations, and sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge.
Hardy Creek Hike – Columbia River Gorge
This loop in Beacon Rock State Park combines multiple trails for a quiet hike in the forest next to Hardy Creek.
Hardy Ridge Hike – Columbia River Gorge
The hike to the Phlox Point on Hardy Ridge features panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge – and in late spring to early summer – rock gardens filled with phlox accentuate views from the rocky spine.
Herman Creek Pinnacles & Dry Creek Falls Hike – Columbia River Gorge
This hike starts at the Herman Creek trailhead and takes the Herman Creek trail to the Pacific Crest trail, crossing Herman Creek on a footbridge and passing by Pacific Crest Falls and the Herman Creek Pinnacles before continuing to Dry Creek Falls.