Hi,

I'm on a buisiness trip (based in Portland), and probably I have a day off on Saturday. I would like to do a full day hike. It should be something easy or moderate. It should also be something wher I'm not totally alone in the wilderness ;-).
It should be somethin scenic for taking some photo.
So what hike would you recommend, if you only had one day here in the Portland area.

Thanks a lot.

Andreas

I'd recommend doing the Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls hike if you want the classic Northwest temperate rain forest experience.

 

Metlako Falls on Eagle Creek

If you're coming in late May / Early June, it's hard to beat Dog Mountain (although depending on your fitness level, you may consider this difficult)

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Jeff - Site Admin

Someday you'll take me home to live forever....up on the mountain
S. Chapman

Jeff had already jumped on two of my favs.

Eagle Creek is a great one for out of towners, because there are great views everywhere. You can turn around after two miles or fifteen.

Dog is great during the bloom, but it's a decent climb for many of us. You'll be starting from river level in the pic above and climbing about 2400 feet.

You might also consider Silver Falls State Park. It's in the Field Guide, as well. There are ten waterfalls in the canyon. All reachable in one loop hike. Call on this one first though, as there was a section of the trail that was closed.

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

If you don't even want to have to drive, check out the many group hikes happening: http://portlandhikers.org/content/HikingEvents.aspx ...usually a couple bucks to participate for the day, a few more for sharing carpool gas costs, and fun and interesting folks to explore the trails with!

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

If you even make it back in town a bit later in the spring/summer I'd have you drive up to Mount St. Helens and hook into one of the hikes within the natural monument.  It is just so unique an area in the world, much less in the Northwest. 

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Mount_Saint_Helens/Photos

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Jeff - Site Admin

Someday you'll take me home to live forever....up on the mountain
S. Chapman

Hi,

thanks for the hints.
But where can I get a Northwest Forest Pass for the parking lot of the trail head?

Thanks.

Andreas

Hi Andreas, many stores sell them, such as REI, GI Joes (I think,?) , Multnomah Falls info center, ...might depend what neck of the woods you plan to go...also I see you can purchase online here:   http://www.naturenw.org/store-passes.htm. , and check if you actually need a pass, depending on the trail(s) you choose: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/recreation/trails/index.shtml

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

You can buy a $5, one-day pass at the Eagle Creek Trailhead at a dropbox. I don't recall if Dog Mountain has a dropbox or not, but you'll need a NW Forest Pass there. Silver Falls has dropboxes where you can buy the necessary Oregon State Parks pass.

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

I recommend the Hamilton Mountain Loop.

You get waterfalls, great views of the gorge, a summit, and a loop. It probably wont be as crowded as Dog Mountain or Eagle Creek on a Saturday, and drumroll.....no parking fee.

Here's one on the Oregon Coast.  (You didn't say where you were from so I'm not sure what would intice you the most, but if your from inland or out East, a Pacific coast hike might be just the ticket)

Neahkahnie Mountain is a pretty easy climb on the coast.  My three young boys did it last summer, then we hung out at Short Sands beach at Oswald West afterward.  I just posted this same recommendation to someone else in another thread.  (Unfortunately we don't have field guide pages for these yet.  I swiped this photo off another site:)

Manzanita Beach from the Neahkahnie Summit

This photo is mine from 2003. 

Short Sands Beach in Oswald West Park

 

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Jeff - Site Admin

Someday you'll take me home to live forever....up on the mountain
S. Chapman

Stevefromdodge:

Dog is great during the bloom, but it's a decent climb for many of us. You'll be starting from river level in the pic above and climbing about 2400 feet.

Or even more if you go all the way to the summit at 2948 feet.  The parking lot is at 160 feet.

Good call, Klossner.   I must have been crossing Hamilton's elevation with Dog's!

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

Hi,

thanks to all for the hints and tips.
Currently I tend to go the Eagle Creek. I think, the woods are quite interesing and impressive. Is the parkling lot really that dangerous as it is decribed in the Field Guide?
Whats aboute the Vertigo Mile? Is this a problem to pass or is the path wide enough?

Many Thanks a again!

BTW, I'm from Germany (close to Munich), so I love the mountains...

Yesterday I've been at Cannon Beach, and we had a great sunset. Oregon is really  beautiful...

Andreas

Eagle Creek Lot has a reputation for being heavily hit, but I'm not convinced it's worse than any other. There have been a lot of breakins at all of the trailheads, this year, but your odds of being hit on any given day are still pretty low. I wouldn't let the possibility of a theft bother you while hiking.

I'm a firm believer that leaving your car empty is the way to go. Leave everything you don't need at home (or maybe in your case, at the motel) and carry any important paperwork with you. The less you leave behind, particularly visible, the less chance you have of something missing when you get back.

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

AnderlSp:

Hi,

Yesterday I've been at Cannon Beach, and we had a great sunset. Oregon is really  beautiful...

Andreas

AnderlSp - we planned this weather just for you.

I don't think you'll have any trouble with the vertigo areas. If so, just take your time and wait for others to pass.