Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls - Mt. Hood National Forest
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
From Portland, take I-84 East to exit 41 where you will find the Eagle Creek Trailhead. I gotta say, this is a trail I've heard about for the last few years and I am finally able to check it off the list. A 12 mile out and back hike, this is an amazing jaunt for a rainy day, however in the future I will likely leave Rita & Lola at home. The steep cliffs and muddy paths are not ideal for dogs. This trail takes you past Punch Bowl Falls and numerous other falls as you skirt along Eagle Creek. Take your time, enjoy the views and the sounds, for us this was roughly a 5 hour hike. Cheers.
Neahkahnie Mountain - Oswald West State Park
Monday, January 5, 2015
Start of a new year means it's time to drag our loaves up a mountain. We parked off of Highway 101 at a scenic viewpoint, crossed the road and started up where the trail reads "Oregon Coast Trail." For January, we had a clear blue day with temperatures in the mid 40s, we quickly dropped our jackets as this hike is mostly switchbacks all the way to the top. The trail is relatively easy to follow and pretty popular with day hikers, yet Mike and I still managed to off road while we were staring at an enormous pine. We eventually found our way back to the trail and continued at our sluggish pace. It took us roughly an hour to go 2 miles. At the top we had the option of looping back down, but we opted to retrace our steps and return the way we came.
Overall this was a great hike to remind you of your physical shortcomings. On a clear day I definitely recommend it, if you are looking for a summit view of the Oregon Coast. We were eager to head back down as we never miss an opportunity to eat Fish & Chips at Bill's in Cannon Beach. Some of the earlier beach pictures are from Cape Falcon, we were unable to hike the cape due to a windstorm, hoping to head back there this summer. Happy New Year and Happy Trails!
Overall this was a great hike to remind you of your physical shortcomings. On a clear day I definitely recommend it, if you are looking for a summit view of the Oregon Coast. We were eager to head back down as we never miss an opportunity to eat Fish & Chips at Bill's in Cannon Beach. Some of the earlier beach pictures are from Cape Falcon, we were unable to hike the cape due to a windstorm, hoping to head back there this summer. Happy New Year and Happy Trails!
Maple Trail, Forest Park Portland, Oregon
Monday, October 20, 2014
Sometimes it's nice to find a hike closer to home, particularly if the Bears and the Jags are playing at 10:00 AM on the west coast. Forest Park is one of the country's largest urban parks spanning an impressive 5,100 acres virtually in downtown Portland, Oregon. It's fun to explore the 70 miles of trails in this park and get a visual of what Portland looked liked before city life.
We took our out-of-towners to the Maple Trail, hoping to see the maples transitioning from green to yellow. And while some of our deiciduous counterparts have embraced fall, most of the trees here in Portland are still clinging on to summer. So, as a result the trail was still mostly green, but beautiful nonetheless.
To get to the Maple Trail we took Highway 30 to Salztman Road. We followed Saltzman Road for roughly 1 mile until we saw the signage pointing us to the Maple Trail. We looped it back for a 3 mile hike roundtrip by cutting through on the Quarry Trail which brings you back to Saltzman Road further uphill. I'm hoping to return in a few weeks to see the changing leaves.
Tory
We took our out-of-towners to the Maple Trail, hoping to see the maples transitioning from green to yellow. And while some of our deiciduous counterparts have embraced fall, most of the trees here in Portland are still clinging on to summer. So, as a result the trail was still mostly green, but beautiful nonetheless.
To get to the Maple Trail we took Highway 30 to Salztman Road. We followed Saltzman Road for roughly 1 mile until we saw the signage pointing us to the Maple Trail. We looped it back for a 3 mile hike roundtrip by cutting through on the Quarry Trail which brings you back to Saltzman Road further uphill. I'm hoping to return in a few weeks to see the changing leaves.
Tory
An easy 3.1 mile hike around Lost Lake in the Mt. Hood National Forest. We opted for the shorter version and turned around at the cabin. This is a nice flat lakeshore hike with views of Mt. Hood and the ever elusive Lost Lake Firebelly Newt (aka skanks to the locals...or maybe just me). You start this hike near the Lost Lake store and follow the path through the densely wooded forest along the lake, it's pretty obvious, you can go all the way around or go out and back, it's up to you. Note, in the summer this lake is busy, you can rent pedal boats, paddle boards, canoes and kayaks. If you'd like to avoid the crowds, visit from October - May.
We traveled from Hood River on highway 35 for 14 miles, turned right on Woodworth Road for another 2 miles. You will then turn right on Dee Highway (there will be signs directing you to Lost Lake) you will continue until you see Forest Road 13 which you will lead you all the way to the Lost Lake Campground. I definitely recommend this hike if you have out of town guests who want an up close and personal experience with Mt. Hood. Don't forget to stop by Double Mountain Brewery on your way home, you gotta get that heirloom pizza girl!
Enjoy.
We traveled from Hood River on highway 35 for 14 miles, turned right on Woodworth Road for another 2 miles. You will then turn right on Dee Highway (there will be signs directing you to Lost Lake) you will continue until you see Forest Road 13 which you will lead you all the way to the Lost Lake Campground. I definitely recommend this hike if you have out of town guests who want an up close and personal experience with Mt. Hood. Don't forget to stop by Double Mountain Brewery on your way home, you gotta get that heirloom pizza girl!
Enjoy.
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