Wilson River Trail – Diamond Mill to Lester Creek Hike
This hike on the Wilson River Trail winds through dense forest filled with moss and ferns, passing numerous small creeks and opening to views of the Coast Range mountains along the way.
Eightmile Creek Loop Hike – Mount Hood
This is a hike I do for my birthday with friends to see western larches at peak color — a late-fall outing near Mount Hood that I always look forward to.
Bald Mountain via Lolo Pass Hike – Mount Hood
On this fall hike to Bald Mountain’s summit in foggy conditions, we were rewarded when the clouds lifted, revealing spectacular views of Mount Hood.
Wilson River Trail Hike & Tillamook Forestry Center
On a quick outing along the Wilson River Trail, we paired a short hike with a visit to the Tillamook Forestry Center and were treated to unexpected wildlife sightings along the way.
Silver Star Mountain via Ed’s Trail Loop Hike
Featuring expansive mountain views and rugged terrain, this loop to Silver Star Mountain via Ed’s Trail included rocky scrambles, fall color, and panoramic vistas of five Cascade volcanoes.
Twin Lakes Loop Hike – Mount Hood
The Twin Lakes loop is a moderate 8.3-mile hike near Mount Hood, passing Lower and Upper Twin Lakes and following sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, popular year-round for hikers and snowshoers.
Devils Half Acre & Palmateer Point Loop Hike
A foggy morning on Mount Hood’s south side highlighted the fall colors of vine maples and huckleberry shrubs as we hiked through historic Devils Half Acre and up to Palmateer Point.
Short Sand Beach at Oswald West State Park
On a sunny day in February, we spent the morning exploring Short Sand Beach and hiked a few of the short trails in Oswald West State Park.
Camping at Carl Washburne State Park
Oregon's Central Coast is one of my favorite areas to explore, with lush coastal forests, long sandy beaches, and rocky shorelines where waves pound dramatically at high tide.
Junction Lake Backpacking Trip – Indian Heaven Wilderness
For their first backpacking trip, I took two friends to Indian Heaven in the fall — one of my favorite spots for easy hikes, lakes, and colorful meadows.
Larch Mountain Rim Loop Hike
This trail loops around the rim of Larch Mountain, an ancient volcanic peak in the Columbia River Gorge. Early summer is a particularly stunning time to visit, with beargrass and rhododendrons in full bloom.
Table Rock Hike in Oregon’s Old Cascades
This hike in the Table Rock Wilderness features rhododendron-lined forests, rocky cliffs, and sweeping vistas from an open high ridge trail.
Zigzag Canyon Overlook Hike – Mount Hood
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Timberline Lodge to Zigzag Canyon Overlook for big views of Mount Hood, rocky ravines, and colorful fall foliage.
Camping at Crater Lake National Park
I took a quick summer trip to Crater Lake for a few days of camping, hiking, and sightseeing with my sister.
Snowgrass Flat Backpacking Trip – Goat Rocks Wilderness
This trip was shortened due to my getting heat exhaustion, but Goat Rocks was still a beautiful place to spend a couple of nights.
Burnt Lake, East Zigzag Mountain & Cast Lake Backpacking Trip – Mount Hood
On this two night backpacking trip, we hiked in to Burnt Lake to setup camp and day hiked to East Zigzag Mountain and Cast Lake.
North Fork Skokomish River Backpacking Trip – Olympic National Park
Located in the Olympic National Park, the North Fork Skokomish River Trail is a great low elevation trip for the spring when water levels are running high in the cascading river and the lush forest is filled with many shades of green.
North Fork Skokomish River Backpacking Trip – Olympic National Park
A low-elevation early summer adventure in Olympic National Park: vibrant forest, cascading river, high bridges, and quiet campsites along the North Fork Skokomish River Trail.
Packwood Lake Backpacking Trip – Goat Rocks Wilderness
A great early-season backpacking destination, Packwood Lake is surrounded by old-growth forest and the ridges of Goat Rocks Wilderness.
Netarts Spit Hike – Oregon Coast
Located on the Oregon Coast’s Three Capes Scenic Loop, Netarts Spit is accessed via Cape Lookout State Park. The spit is a 5-mile long narrow section of beach that separates Netarts Bay from the ocean.
Pete Lake + Spectacle Lake Backpacking Trip – Alpine Lakes Wilderness
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington is one of my favorite subalpine/mountain locations. Filled with granite slabs, over 700 mountain lakes, and peak after peak, it's subalpine glory at its finest.
Hunts Cove Backpacking Trip – Mount Jefferson Wilderness
Hike in next to Pamelia Creek, past popular Pamelia Lake and up to Hunts Cove to setup camp at Hanks or Hunts Lakes. Access the Pacific Crest Trail via the Old Hunts Cove Trail for outstanding views of Mount Jefferson.
Falls Creek Falls Hike – Southwest Washington
Stunning Falls Creek Falls is the highlight of this loop hike that combines an easy hike alongside a mossy creek in old-growth forest with an upper ridge trail and canyon views.
Lookout Mountain via Fret Creek Hike – Mount Hood
This hike to Lookout Mountain in Badger Creek Wilderness features western larches displaying golden yellow fall color, multiple viewpoints along the Divide Trail ridge, and of course, the summit of Lookout Mountain.