Bridal Veil, Oregon

Located about 2 hours outside of Portland, Timothy lake is a great home base to adventure from. It has many campgrounds, lots of lake access and great loop around the lake that is open to both hiking and Mt biking. While the hiking loop is 13 miles, the Mt. bike loop is 15 since you need to make ...

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 ...

Timothy Lake is one very large, man-made lake in the heart of Mt. Hood National Forest, and can be considered one of the best summer camping spots in the area. With more than ten campgrounds to choose from, this area can accommodate almost every type of camping possible - everything from cabin re...

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 ...

As if erupting volcanoes weren't awesome enough, ancient lava flows also left behind these giant, hollow tubes as they cooled. Spend all day exploring deep underground in this 2.5 mile cave.To get there, head to the SOUTH side of Mount Saint Helens. You must pass through the town of Cougar to get...

Coyote Wall is a relatively uncrowded trail system in the Columbia River Gorge that provides outstanding views of the Columbia River. The trail system is made up primarily of user-created mountain biking trails, allowing hikers a choose-your-own-adventure approach to exploring the area. Start o...

The Columbia River Gorge is full of hidden gems, especially for new folks like me. I just found out about this little trail right in the middle of Mosier Oregon.  The trail is great for new hikers, and if you have some friends visiting this would be the perfect trail to take them on if they don'...

Huckleberry, Mark's and Looney's Gate Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Molalla, Oregon.

The Worm Flow Route, starting at Marble Mountain Sno Park, is the most direct winter route up to the summit. You'll start at around 2,700 feet and begin a steady walk along the trail for 2 miles. Although the trail is fairly well marked well above the snow, you'll want to pay attention to the arr...

In the winter you will need to start at Marble Mt. Snowpark and purchase a snow park permit. The hike starts here on the eastern side. Follow the Pine Ski Trail for about 1 mile along NF-83 Road. Then follow the June Lake Trailhead up to June Lake for about 1.5 miles. You will come to June Lake a...

Sadly because of the devastating Eagle Creek fire on the Oregon side of the Gorge, most of the trails are closed for restoration. As a result more hikers are heading to the Washington side and heading further east for Gorge day hikes. Heading east gets you some sunnier skies and prime wildflower ...

This is a very difficult hike. Camp sites are scarce and access to water is very limited. Overexposure is a concern so be sure to pack a hat and apply sunscreen frequently. There are sketchy sections of the trail where you will be forced to navigate steep washed out gullies that are unstable due ...

June Lake, is a beautiful mountain lake located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington. The out-and-back trail starts at the June Lake Trailhead and parking area. This hike is family-friendly at just under 2.5 miles to June Lake. Dogs are permitted on the trail on their leash.  This park...

Monitor Ridge is the "easiest" of the routes one can take in order to claim that they have stood on top of the sleeping giant better known as Mount St. Helens. This route is heavily favored over Worm Flows as the starting elevation is not only an additional 1,000 feet higher but the overall asce...

Champoeg was the first town to be settled in the Willamette Valley and the site of the formation of the first government in the northwest. The park offers historical sites as well as plentiful camping and some short day hikes. I decided to do the Townsite loop with my family on black friday #opto...

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is open 9am-6pm and offers the public a chance to see their 40 acres of Tulips for a limited time during the year. Their tulip fest goes from late March to early May so double check to make sure they're open before you go.For $5 a person or $20 for a car this place off...