Emily Walbridge

Located on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge heading east on highway 14 at milepost 85.  Pull into the parking lot on the right hand side of the road and the trailhead is located by the restrooms.   Be cautious on warm days because this is rattlesnake country.  There are signs posted with additional warnings. This is a great place for beginner climbers to exercise those newly acq...

An 1.5 hour drive NE from Vancouver, WA this section of the Lewis River makes for a perfect day fishing trip.  Heading North on I-5 for approximately 20 miles take the Woodland / HWY 503 exit East and head towards Mt St. Helens.  You'll follow the Lewis River along Hwy 503 (Lewis River Road) the entire way, making it a picturesque drive.    You're next turn will be in an hour, so enjoy the driv...

This river may be a bit under the radar at the moment but not for long.  This section doesn't have the big fish, that the main fork of the Hood River does but it will keep you busy with modest active trout perfect for a 3 or 5 weight rod in the summer time and a dry fly.   It's a great beginner & intermediate river with easy access from the Polallie Trail Head off of Highway 35.   A NW Fore...

Driving from Portland, Oregon west towards Tillamook, Oregon this is an easy bank access river to hit with big fish. Approximately 45 - 60 minutes drive from Portland to Highway 6 west towards Tillamook, the rivers runs next to the highway for several miles making it easy to pull-off and hit the river in many spots. On a crisp, cool fall day this river can get busy, so be there early and grab y...

This is a lovely shallow lake for kayaking with spectacular views of Mt Hood and Mt St. Helens on clear days. It’s an ideal spot for beginners to learn water sports including, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and swimming. There is a beach and park available for those afternoon picnics and naps too!   There is also a professional rowing club that holds competitions on the lake, so plan ahead...

Surrounded by old growth forest, Merrill Lake near Cougar, Washington is the perfect little gem to get in some late summer, mid-elevation mountain lake fishing. The morning and evening hatches are known state wide for the size of fish they attract. There are stories of Eagles even stealing trout right off the line!   This is a Fly-Fishing, catch and release lake only. Come for the early morning...

Each trail is well maintained and easy to navigate through the area.  All trails are either packed dirt or gravel depending on which trail you’re on. The Douglas-firs, hemlocks, ferns, Oregon grape and many other native tree and plant varieties grow in the area that make the area abound with wildlife. There is minimal elevation gain on all of the trails, making it a perfect family outing! While...