My Top Picks for REI Brand Hiking Gear
REI offers a wide variety of their own brand of hiking, backpacking and camping gear. These are all high quality REI brand items that I regularly use and recommend.
Your Guide to Hiking, Backpacking & Camping in the Pacific Northwest
Review: Himali Nebula Wind Shell
The Nebula is a versatile ultralight layer that adds wind protection while remaining breathable enough to help prevent overheating while hiking.
Review: Himali Monsoon Rain Jacket
The Himali Monsoon Hardshell Jacket is designed as a true four-season shell — built to handle everything from steady rain to snow and variable mountain weather.
Cape Perpetua campground
Cape Perpetua campground is located on the central Oregon coast two miles south of Yachats. Trails from the campground provide access to the scenic rocky coastline as well as to hikes through old-growth forest.
Easy Camping Meals Using Trader Joe’s Ingredients
These are my favorite hassle-free (and delicious) camping meals. All use just a few ingredients from Trader Joe's and are easy to prepare with minimal cleanup afterwards.
How to Prevent Mosquito Bites on Outdoor Adventures
Heading out during mosquito season? These tips help prevent bites while hiking, camping and backpacking, with gear and strategies that make a noticeable difference in buggy areas.
Review: Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix — Electrolytes for the Trail
After dealing with electrolyte imbalance issues, I tested Skratch Labs Hydration Mix to see how it performs for hydration, recovery, and replacing electrolytes on the trail.
Explore Central Oregon’s Painted Hills
The Painted Hills are located in northeastern Oregon’s John Day National Fossil Beds Monument, home to over 40 million years’ worth of fossils, providing vast insight into the Age of Mammals.
Best Oregon Coast Day Hikes
The hikes listed here are my favorites on the Oregon Coast, including trails to secluded beaches, through coastal rainforests, to summits with panoramic views.
Tillamook Head Backpacking Trip – Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast offers very few opportunities for backpacking. The hiker's camp on Tillamook Head, while intended for people thru-hiking the Oregon Coast Trail, has a designated camp area with wood shelters as well as space for tents.
Crescent Beach Hike – Oregon Coast
Secluded Crescent Beach is one of my favorite locations on the Oregon Coast. Bounded on the north by Ecola Point and on the south by Chapman Point, this pocket beach is only accessible via a 1.2 mile hike.
Ecola Point to Indian Beach Hike
Starting at Ecola Point, this section of the Oregon Coast Trail leads through lush coastal forest with sweeping ocean views before descending to Indian Beach.
Neahkahnie Mountain & Oregon Coast Trail Hike
On this section of the Oregon Coast Trail, hike past crashing waves at Devils Cauldron to sweeping views from the rocky summit of Neahkahnie Mountain.
Neahkahnie Mountain Hike via South Trailhead – Oregon Coast
Towering above the coastline, Neahkahnie Mountain offers one of the most breathtaking views on the Oregon Coast. This is the shortest route to the summit via the South Trailhead.
Tillamook Head via Indian Beach Hike – Oregon Coast
Take this short hike up Tillamook Head from Indian Beach for spectacular views of the ocean, then take a short side trail that passes by an old WWII bunker to a viewpoint of unique Tillamook Lighthouse.
Cooks Ridge & Gwynn Creek Loop Hike – Oregon Coast
The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area contains some of the best remaining old growth forest on the Oregon Coast. This hike includes the Cooks Ridge, Gwynn Creek and Oregon Coast Trails for a 6 mile loop.
Review: Outdoor Vitals Carbon Evo 50 Backpack
The Carbon Evo is an ultralight framed backpack that balances low weight with a stable, comfortable carry and supportive suspension for reliable on-trail support.
How I Organize & Pack My Camping Gear
Having a mix of organization bins, totes, and packing cubes for camping gear makes getting ready for a trip easier — and streamlines loading and unloading the car.
Review: Gregory Alpaca Gear Box, Utility Tote, and Gear Pods
Good camp organization starts with reliable storage. These well-built solutions offer the durability, thoughtful features, and long-term performance I look for in outdoor gear.
Guide to 2026 Backcountry Permits for Oregon & Washington
When you are considering a backpacking destination, you’ll need to know whether permits are required for backcountry camping and how to obtain them.
Review: Berghaus Fast Hike 15 Daypack
The Berghaus Fast Hike is a frameless 15-liter daypack with a vest-style harness, designed for a stable, minimal feel on trail.
Bunker Hill Hike – Southwest Washington
This lesser-visited hike to the top of Bunker Hill features woodland wildflowers, a steep climb, and views over the Wind River Valley.
Paradise Park Trail and Little Zigzag Falls hikes
The lower portion of the Paradise Park Trail led us through lush forest, blooming rhododendrons, and up to a rocky viewpoint for lunch.
Review: Salewa Pedroc 2 Max Hiking Shoes
The Pedroc 2 Max blends the agility and comfort of a trail runner with the stability, grip, and durability of a more supportive hiking shoe.