Oregon

This spot in central Oregon is a beautiful, natural lake where you can combine a nice hike with an afternoon of fishing. There are opportunities for multiple hikes surrounding the lake that are moderately challenging hikes and also remain scenic throughout the 10 mile trek around the lake. Relax...

Cache Mountain offers amazing views of Mt Jefferson, 3 Fingered Jack, Mt Washington and the North and Middle Sisters. In the summer months, it is also known as one of the best single track mountain biking spots in Central Oregon. This is a great spot for a multi-day camping trip; set up camp and ...

The Elkhorn Crest Trail runs along the Elkhorn Ridge of the Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon. From this ridge you can scramble of multiple peaks, including the highest in the ridge: Rock Creek Butte (9,106 ft) and Elkhorn Peak (8,931 ft). For the peakbaggers out there, the Elkhorns contain 13 of ...

Begin at the Lower Lake Campground and take the Lower Lake trailhead. The best direction to hike is counter clockwise, however you can do either.  Continue along Trail #717 and very shortly you come out to Lower Lake featuring Mt. Jefferson as the backdrop. From here keep hiking and you reach yo...

Mann Lake can be found in the Steens Mountain Wilderness area. Camping is first come first serve but depending on the time of year it won't be crowded at all. I visited in the early fall and there was one other car.  I decided to camp next to the lake (>200 ft. away of course), which holds wat...

Head on over to Hurricane Creek if you are looking for a great campground near Lake Wallowa. It's a forest service campground, so the fee is minimal, only $6 per night. There are no reservations, just show up, grab your spot, and pay at the kiosk. They offer three tent/trailer sites and eight ten...

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...

Starting at 6,490' in elevation, you get to experience all the benefits of hiking high up in the Eagle Cap Wilderness without the long, steep ascents typically found in the Wallowa Mountains. The trail starts in a forest that burned in a 1989 fire. You will soon reach your first of many stream cr...

You start by weaving through an old-growth forest, gaining a little elevation, appreciating the shade, before you come up out and into the alpine forest the majority of the hike will take place in.  You will quickly reach your first of many intersections within ~.1 mile into the trail. Be sure t...

From the Breightenbush Lake PCT trailhead (5,600ft Elevation) you hike through a thick forest until you reach an old burn area. This area was burned from a forest fire and has rebirthed lush green plants and bushes to help feed all the animals in the area. After a mile of climbing through the bur...

The trail starts at 5200 feet and climbs through the forest for 1.6 miles to an opening with a great view off diamond lake and the beautiful and very recognizable Mt. Thielsen. There are several small outcropping here that make a perfect spot to stop and get out the backpacking stove for some mou...

Deschutes River Trail: Benham Falls to Slough Meadow is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Bend, Oregon.

Kentucky Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Mapleton, Oregon.

The major draw of this campground however is the beach. Many of the campsites overlook the water, but if you don’t have a view from your site it takes less than a minute to be in the sand. We made our trip from the University of Oregon in Eugene. It was a gorgeous 2 hour drive, and after driving ...

The Steelhead run on the Rogue River is famous the world over and for good reason. Like anywhere, local guides are the gatekeepers to the right spot and should be contacted accordingly.  Steelhead run December through March and Chinook April through Fall, with Coho making an appearance in the lat...

Hebo Lake to South Lake via Pioneer Indian Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Beaver, Oregon.