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As an avid hiker, I’ve always been drawn to the mesmerizing beauty of Oregon’s natural landscapes. There’s something enchanting about the rugged terrain and the serene wilderness that beckons adventurers like me. Recently, I embarked on a two-day hiking expedition to explore the breathtaking area of Mount Hood’s Cairn Basin and McNeil Point. From the …

Read more “Two Days in Mount Hood’s Cairn Basin and McNeil Point: A Hiker’s Adventure”

Recently I spent a picturesque day driving up and down Oregon’s Central Coast. The weather was perfect, none of my stops were overly crowded, and the evening sun was radiant. Oregon’s Central Coast is full of things to see, like sea lions and other aquatic life, lighthouses that have seen the centuries go by, and …

Read more “A Brief Guide to the Top Day Trip Sights of Oregon’s Central Coast”

Hiking Lava Canyon near Mount St. Helens is a unique and exhilarating experience. The sometimes precarious trail takes you through a beautiful canyon in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Lava Canyon is filled with waterfalls, rugged terrain, and remnants of the devastating 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The entire area has a rich history of …

Read more “Hiking Lava Canyon Near Mount Saint Helens: The Ultimate Guide”

Smith Rock State Park is a popular hiking destination located in Terrebonne, about 45 minutes north of Bend in Central Oregon. It is known for its towering rock formations, formed by a combination of volcanic activity and erosion over millions of years. The rock formations and surrounding trails, flanked by the Crooked River calmly meandering, …

Read more “Hiking Smith Rock State Park: Otherworldly Central Oregon Staple”

Day hikes in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon, offer stunning and diverse wilderness areas located in northern Oregon. With more than one million acres of forest, mountains, and rivers to explore, it’s no wonder that Mount Hood National Forest is a favorite among hikers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Hood’s proximity to the Columbia River …

Read more “Top 5 All Seasons Day Hikes in Mount Hood National Forest”

One of the Columbia River Gorge’s most incredible falls, Spirit Falls, is a nearly-40-foot waterfall with a deep pool below and is surrounded by mossy rocks and forested hillsides. For decades there has been an unspoken agreement between the private land owners and hikers, allowing the public to traverse down the steep slope to view …

Read more “Retiring a Waterfall: Washington’s Spirit Falls Now Closed to the Public”

Nestled on the Oregon coast, Cascade Head is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cascade Head’s picturesque views of the Oregon coastline are unparalleled. With stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and miles of lush forest trails, it’s no wonder that Cascade Head has become a must-visit spot for adventurers. However, the heavy …

Read more “Trailkeepers of Oregon: Rehabbing the Cascade Head Trail on the Oregon Coast”

White River Falls is a waterfall located in north-central Oregon, near Maupin in Wasco County. It is situated on the White River, a tributary of the Deschutes River. White River Falls State Park and the ghost towns to the North are firmly in the middle of nowhere. The towns of Boyd, Dufur, and Friend are …

Read more “Oregon’s Best-Kept Secrets: White River Falls and Ghost Towns”

Tamanawas Falls is a popular hiking destination located in the Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon. The drive south on Highway 35 from I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge is also simply fantastic. It parallels the Hood River for several miles, and in the wintertime, there is snow everywhere. This makes the trail a picturesque …

Read more “Tamanawas Falls is a Mount Hood Must in the Winter”

Did you know that there is a high desert region in the state of Oregon? When most travelers think of Oregon, they undoubtedly envision lush evergreen rainforests, mountains, and alpine lakes. However, Oregon’s high desert located east of the Cascade Mountain range makes up roughly a quarter of all land in Oregon! When we left Portland for …

Read more “Our Eastern Oregon Road Trip Itinerary and Stops”