Cougar, Washington
Top Spots in and near Cougar
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Corbett, Oregon
Hike to Upper Bridal Veil Falls
5.00.5 miAt the parking lot for Angel's Rest, turn left uphill on to Palmer Mill Road. Drive for about a mile, and park right past a tributary stream/small waterfall (pictured above) on your left that flows through a small pipe under the road. You will see a small space to park on the right. Park here and...Read more -
Skamania County, Washington
Camp at Takhlakh Lake
5.0Takhlakh Lake is located 7 miles NW of Mt Adams with a 53 site campground on the west side of the lake as well as a day use picnic area.The campground features a boat ramp and a wheelchair-accessible 1.1 mile flat trail, which encircles the lake, and accesses the Meadows Trail that climbs up to t...Read more -
Skamania County, Washington
Hike to the Summit of Mount Adams via South Climb
5.012 mi / 6700 ft gainStart by checking in at the Trout Lake Ranger station to pick up a Cascade Volcanoes pass for $10-$15. Continue the South Climb trailhead at the Cloud Cap Campground. Some hikers overnight here for an early start the next day.Sign out a wilderness permit at the trailhead and follow the South Clim...Read more -
Skamania County, Washington
Backpack around Mount Adams
1.032 mi / 7000 ft gainUnder 2 hours from Portland, Mount Adams sees a sizable crowd of visitors - but get beyond the first mile of the South Climb trail, and you're unlikely to encounter another person until you circle around all the way to the PCT. This loop around the mountain doesn't put you quite as high up as th...Read more -
Portland, Oregon
Rocky Butte
4.2Joseph Wood Hill Park is another under-the-radar gem right in the heart of the city. It’s located on Rocky Butte, an extinct volcanic cylinder cone, and provides a sweeping panoramic view of Portland and beyond. Accessing the park is easy – you can drive directly there and parking is plentiful. ...Read more -
Stevenson, Washington
Dog Mountain via Dog Mountain Trail
4.56.53 mi / 2858 ft gainThe 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 ...Read more -
Stevenson, Washington
Dog Mountain: The Steeper Route
4.55.55 mi / 2858 ft gainIf you know the Columbia Gorge, you know Dog Mountain. It's the ever-rewarding, incredibly challenging, insanely popular, calf-burning 6.5-mile hike that attracts hundreds of people every weekend, especially during May and June when the wildflowers are in full bloom. If you're like me and you h...Read more -
Portland, Oregon
A Quick Escape to Sauvie Island
3.5During those summer days when you’re desperately seeking some sand between your toes, open space to soak up the sun, and nature to play around in…Sauvie Island is calling your name. Located just 10 miles outside of downtown Portland, Sauvie Island offers a convenient rural escape that’s just begg...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Mount Defiance
3.712.55 mi / 5167 ft gainThis hike starts at the Starvation Creek Rest Area. After parking, head west back along the shoulder of the freeway, where you’ll see a wooden sign stating “Mt. Defiance Trail.” Continue heading west along the abandoned Columbia River Highway. Keep going west as you pass the junction with the Sta...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Lower Starvation Ridge Loop
3.72.69 mi / 1001 ft gainStarvation Creek Falls is an impressive 190 ft. waterfall just a few feet from the parking lot. If you don't know it's there, you'll miss it. Keep walking past the restrooms, away from the trail head to see this beautiful two-tiered waterfall. There are a couple of picnic tables near the creek to...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Warren and Lancaster Falls
4.51.89 mi / 571 ft gainThe hike along Mt. Defiance Trail to Warren and Lancaster Falls is great if you want to get away from some of the more crowded destinations in the gorge, or just want to catch some shade during the summer. The trail is fairly easygoing, though the last 1/4th of a mile to Lancaster Falls is a bit ...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Starvation Creek Falls
3.5The Starvation Creek Falls drops 141ft down into a naturally formed bowl, cascading past a wooded picnic area and onto the Columbia River. The falls are one of the easiest falls to access in the Columbia River Gorge along with Multnomah Falls, but are far less Crowded. The short 300ft walk from t...Read more -
Yakima County, Washington
Mount Adams Circumambulation
35.1 mi / 8881 ft gain***Before you go on this trek, give the Yakama Nation a call and talk to a Ranger to make sure the trail is open to backpackers or hikers.*** 1-509-865-5121 or 1-509-395-3402 There are a few places you can start this adventure, but starting from the South Climb Trail Head and Cold Spring Campgrou...Read more -
Cook, Washington
Spirit Falls
4.01.5 mi / 516 ft gainNOTE: Access to this hike is currently closed. A Part of this hike goes through private land. At this time, the landowner is not granting access to hikers. There are no signs or trail head for the falls, but it's a popular spot for kayakers and photographers, so look for a faint boot path direct...Read more -
Portland, Oregon
Explore Cathedral Park
4.5Located right underneath the St Johns Bridge, Cathedral Park is hard to miss. It was given its name due to the Gothic looking arches that sit above the park.This is one of my personal favorite places to photograph especially if you enjoy photographing bridges. This park can be crowded or have eve...Read more -
Portland, Oregon
Photograph the St. John's Bridge
4.5To begin, park on North Pittsburg Ave and walk down to the river. Then, turn left and walk down the short less than a quarter mile until you see a spot where the beach is bigger than in other areas. This is an extremely good place to take photographs of the bridge, especially at night. Feel free ...Read more