Cape Lookout

Distance: 5.2 miles out and back
Cape Lookout State Park is located less than 15 miles south west of Tillamook, OR. Take 3^rd street out of Tillamook, towards the coast. 3^rdSt will quickly transform into Hwy 131. When Hwy 131 forks, stay left and travel down Whisky Creek Rd. You will remain on this road until reaching the trailhead. The road’s name will change several times before ending as: Cape Lookout Rd. Again, there will be plenty of big, brown, park signs, pointing in the right direction.

Anderson's Lookout

Ape Caves (Upper & Lower)

Distance: 3.5 round trip

To reach this geological marvel, take exit 21 off I-5 and head east on highway 503. Remain on course as 503 merges to Lewis River Rd and again to Rd 90. Take a left on NF-83 and another left on NF-8303. There will be plenty of signs to point you in the right direction.

The Ape Caves of Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one of the most unique features created by the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. These remarkable caves were hollowed out by flowing lava forcing its way through rock and solid earth.

Make sure and Suit Up! It will be cold underground. Bring long sleeves, headlamps, and gloves. Emphasis on the gloves! Not only will gloves protect you from the cold, but they will shield you from the bat do-do caked on the cave walls.

Mt. St. Helens from Ape Cave Trail

Elk Mountain

Distance: 4 miles out and back

To reach The Elk Mountain Trailhead, travel west on HWY 26 from Portland and take the HWY 6 exit n route to Tillamook. Once you connect to HWY 6 watch your odometer closely! The Elk Mountain Rd turnoff is exactly 23 miles down the road and to the right.

Wind Mountain

Distance: 2.5 miles out and back

In search of Wind Mountain, head east on highway 14 for ten miles past The Bridge of the Gods and take a left on Wind Mt. Rd. Follow Wind Mt. Rd. briefly as it bends right and leads you to the parking area. The trail head is usually marked by large, highlighter-yellow cones, located a short walk down the road from the parking area.

The hike is less than moderately difficult and provides three amazing views along the way.  The view-quality to effort ratio is amongst the highest of all gorge hikes!  

Spur

King's Mountain

Distance: 5 miles out and back

To located the trailhead from Portland, head east on highway 26 for 30 miles before taking the highway 6 exit. A small trailhead parking lot is located 27 miles down the road. Because King’s Mountain has a lower elevation than say, Mt. Hood, the hike is manageable all year round. Just make sure to bring trekking poles in the winter.

Mt. Tabor

Distance: 2 miles round trip

This popular city park is located in the center of Portland’s Southeast quadrant. Mt. Tabor is bordered by Belmont & Division St. from the north and south respectively and squeezed between 60^th & 71^st Ave to the west and east. The park can be approached successfully from any direction; however, I suggest cruising trendy hawthorn Blvd to the footsteps of the western slope.  

City view from the lower Reservoir

Dog Mountain

Distance: 5.2 miles out and back

To find this grand-view of the Columbia Gorge, head to Cascade Locks and cross The Bridge of the Gods to Washington. Continue east on Hwy 14 for 13 miles to reach the parking lot. Locate the trailhead east, towards the restrooms.

Saddle Mountain

Distance: 5.2 miles out and back

Want a stunning, panoramic view of coastal forests, mountain tops, and the Pacific Ocean? Head west on highway 26 from Portland for 65 miles until reaching Saddle Mountain Rd on the right. Continue 7 more miles to the trailhead.  Even on a cloudy day, you'll be blown away by the views. 

View from brief tree clearing

Eagle Creek - Tunnel Falls

Distance: 12 miles out and back
Eagle Creek Trail is one of the most popular destinations in the Gorge for hiking enthusiasts. The Trailhead is located directly off I-84, Exit #41. The Exit is only available traveling eastbound, so travelers from Hood River will need to double back from Exit #40. Make sure and arrive early in the day! Parking lot space fills-up quick in the summer.

Metlako Falls

Bagby Hot Springs

Distance: 3.5 miles out and back
 Located about 40miles south of Estacada off Clackamas Highway (Hwy 224), Bagby Hot Springs is a natural wonder of the Pacific Northwest.

From the Earth to your Tub

Angel's Rest

Distance: 4.8 miles out and back
Sharing parking space with Bridal Veil Falls', the Angel's Rest Trailhead is located in the Columbia river Gorge just off Exit #28 from I-84. Considering the short hike to the summit and its relative proximity to Portland, Angel's Rest is a very popular summer season hike.

Rock-slide path

Silver Falls State Park

Distance: 6.9 mile loop
Silver Falls State Park - Oregon’s largest state park - is a giant canyon, containing several trails and a plethora of diverse waterfalls. To reach the trailhead from Portland, head south on I-5 in route to Salem. As you approach Salem, take exit 253 east on HWY 22. Taking exit 9 will put you on Silver Falls HWY, which you will remain on until reaching the park. There are plenty of signs along the road to remind you of your destination.  

South Falls

Ecola State Park

Distance: 3+ miles out and back

Ecola State Park provides remarkable ocean views, picturesque beaches, and plenty of colorful sea creatures. Driving along Highway 101, Ecola State Park is located just north of Cannon Beach.  Before you begin, check out the immediate park area before jumping on the trail. A short paved path leads to several viewpoints of Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, and the Ocean Arch.

The Ocean Arch

Wahclella Falls

Distance: 1 mile out and back

Wahclella Falls is a splendid break along I-84 (Exit 40).  If you are headed to Skamania Lodge, Hood River, Pullman (Go Cougs!), or anywhere along Highway 26, seriously, take 25 minutes (1 mile RT) to checkout Wahclella Falls. You won’t be disappointed!

Wahclella Falls

Munra Point

Distance: 6 miles out and back 

Have you ever read a hike review describing the hike as "Very difficult?" I mean, it's not rock climbing, what could be so difficult about walking, right? Munra Point is the definition of a difficult hike! A round trip trek of nearly 6 miles, Munra Point ascends over 1,000 feet in less than half a mile. More of a steep, dirt crawl than a hike.

I would suggest starting from Wahclella Falls Trailhead (Exit 40 off I-84). From the parking lot, follow the bridge west until you find trail #400 (narrow passage in the brush). After heading south, switching back, and gaining some elevation, you will parallel the Columbia River heading west for about a mile.

Once you reach an I-84 bridge near Moffett Creek, the ascent begins. Locate the "unmaintained trail" sign and start climbing.

Hazy View of the Columbia Gorge 

Triple Falls

Distance: 6.4 miles out and back

My go-to trip for any novice hiker - smooth, easy hike, with tons of water falls. A perfect sample of The Gorge forest. Very easy to find. Just head East on I-84 (for 33 miles), then take exit 35 off the highway. Follow signs from here.

Horsetail Falls

Hello

Hello & Welcome! My name is Jordan Petrusich and I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest! I have created this blog to share my love for northwest hiking! I'll be sharing my hiking experiences in the Pacific North West. My goal is to galvanize outdoor adventure by documenting my experience!