Bridal Veil, Oregon

Bagby Hot Springs is actually a set of amazing bathhouses nestled in the forest outside of Estacada. They are one of Oregon’s most poplar hot springs, and for good reason. The hike into the hot springs is easy and quite scenic. You’ll cross a bridge over Nohorn Creek and follow the Hot Springs Fo...

Not to be confused with the ever so popular Ape Caves, the Ape Canyon is a moderately challenging hike that remains above ground, climbing a total of 1650 feet in elevation parallel to the Muddy River.  Although originally designed as a hiking trail, this route has become increasingly popular wit...

Starting at the Lava Canyon Trailhead, you will walk on a paved trail down a few switchbacks until you reach the river, where you can go right or left. Either way takes you to the suspension bridge, but I recommend going right if you are following this guide. It will make more sense in a moment.A...

The trail begins at the Rowena Crest Overlook on the Old Columbia River Highway between Hood River and the Dalles. Park at the Rowena Overlook, and you find the trail on the south side of the area. Follow the trail to the top of McCall Point. The trail is fairly level at first but then climbs ste...

If you're looking for a minimal effort pit stop on the drive through the Columbia River Gorge with huge bang for your buck, this is the spot. Rowena Crest is an iconic viewpoint that creates a horseshoe curve along the road. This unique shape is one of the most photographed roads in Oregon. It's ...

Distance: 5.4 milesElevation Change: 500ftThis Lewis River hike starts at Lower Falls then follows the Lewis River Trail #31, detours up to Copper Creek, before returning back to the main trail for the magnificent Upper Falls. Enticing views of the crystalline water in the Lewis River will make y...

This hike is actually on a nature preserve owned by the Friends of the Columbia Gorge, on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge. It's fairly unknown and you can enjoy amazing views of the Gorge, wildflowers during the springtime, and a trek through an old oak forest. The hike begins at an unm...

From Scott Mills Follow Crooked Finger RD NE for 13.3 Miles to the Upper Butte Creek Trailhead. The last 2-3 miles or so is gravel road with some potholes but most cars shouldn't have a problem. The path down to the falls starts near the bathrooms. A short .3 mile walk on a few switchbacks and...

This trail is unmarked and a little rough and rugged. The land is privately owned by Mount Angel Abbey, but they don't appear to have problems with courteous hikers. Walking out of the parking area back up the road in the direction you came from, you’ll pass one dirt trail right at the ending of ...

Note: this trail is closed due to fire damage. For more updates, please visit the Forest Service website.  The Opal Creek pools are a wonderful place to visit year-round, but they’re a true oasis on a hot summer day. With a variety of rock outcroppings and ledges to jump off of, and plenty of ro...

On Saturday, I slid into the backseat alongside weekend belongings crammed in the car trunk. Backpacks with patches and streaks of dust. Bags of food that could be cooked over the flames of a fire. We drove south on the 5, leaving Portland and crossing through Salem, as Lake Street Dive albums p...

While thousands of visitors come to witness the raw power and devastation left behind from Mount St Helens' famous 1980 eruption, few wander past the groomed paths surrounding the Johnston Ridge Observatory. It is beyond these paths where you come across the more commonly designed backcountry tra...

The Boundary trail is amazing. It's 54 miles long and runs for the most part along a ridge in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. You can climb various peaks and viewpoints right off the trail, but this trip report is for climbing Coldwater Peak and hiking up to Harry's Ridge Viewpoint on the way. H...

From roughly May to September, both star gazers and photographers alike travel to the darkest locations in order to capture something truly magnificent- the galactic core of the milky way. The Loowit Viewpoint is unlike any around due to the perfect combination of it's remote location, higher ele...

The trail is a washed out, old mining road making its way through a lush forest with a mix of ferns, moss covered trees, and towering Douglas Firs with trees blown over from wind storms lining both sides of the trail. I call those Big Foot traps. The trail comes to a fork, stay to the left you ar...