Happy Valley, Oregon

This lake is found about 25 miles south of Hood River, Or. $5 for day use and now other passes are accepted, just keep that in mind. There are camping sites all over the lake as well, so if you are thinking of making a weekend out of it.  It wasn't very crowded on a weekend during the summer so y...

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 ...

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...

Cooper Spur is located on the north east side of Mount Hood. This is the hike to do if you want to get up close and personal with the mountain. To get there you have to drive around 10 miles up a bumpy dirt road, once off the main road. Low-clearance vehicles can make it but high clearance vehic...

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...

The trail to Falls Creek Falls is well maintained with a few short moderately steep areas. The trail hugs the creek for the first mile, and takes you through old growth trees for the second mile. Once the falls are in sight, make sure to stop and look up to see the top tier through the trees. It'...

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...

Park at White River West Sno-Park. Walk to the north end of the parking lot. Start a very brief way up the White River Trail. After 100-200 feet, step off the main trail, to your left, and head into the woods for some solitude. To get to the Pacific Crest Trail, look for the blue diamond trail ma...

The Storey Burn Loop in the Tillamook State Forest offers a dynamic trail experience for hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners looking to explore the lush beauty of Oregon’s coastal foothills. Located just off Highway 6 between Portland and Tillamook, this scenic loop features a mix of fores...

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...

The White River West Sno-Park is a hub of winter activities at Mt. Hood. At 4200', this area is easily accessed directly off of Route 35. The large parking lot fills up quickly on snowy weekends so arrive early to get a spot and make sure that you have an Oregon Sno-Park Permit*.The White River r...

Just 66 miles east of Portland, and 35 miles south of Hood River the infamous Mt Hood breaks through the clouds for all to see. The highest peak of Oregon is the ultimate explorer's paradise offering something for every season... and in this case we mean snow shoeing and hiking!!Our trek begins ...

The 0.3 mile hike to University Falls seems longer than it is because you'll be stopping to take pictures every step of the way. No, you're not in an enchanted forest, you're in the Tillamook National Forest. The waterfall you're about to find, however, certainly is enchanting. From Portland, he...

To get there from Salem, Follow Hwy. 22 east to Mehama. Turn on Little North Santiam Road (FS 2209) and proceed for 12 miles to Three Pools Day Use Area. Three Pools is by far one of the most popular swimming holes in the Northwest. With multiple swimming holes within just feet from one another i...

Little Crater Lake to Timothy Lake Campground is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Government Camp, Oregon.

The Dog Mountain trailhead is located halfway between Stevenson and Bingen. Look for the big signed parking area just after milepost 53 (Eastbound). The parking lot fills up quickly, especially during peak wildflower season, so if you can go on a weekday that would be better. There are 3 trails ...