Silver Star Mt. via Grouse Vista

Distance: 6 miles round trip
There are several trails leading to Silver Star Mountain, but Grouse Vista may be the most accessible trail coming from Portland or Vancouver. Finding the trail is not fun. Meandering country roads composed of coarse gravel, lead drivers to the trailhead. The travel is worth the effort, if you dare to visit the most recent Bigfoot sighting! That's right, Bigfoot was sighted walking along the mountain's ridge in November of 2005.

From Portland, use these directions to find the trailhead: directions. Otherwise, follow Padden Pkwy (500) as it transitions into Ward Rd and then again into 182nd Ave. Take a right on 139th St, where you'll begin to climb. Veer left onto Rawson Rd and remain on Rawson as it transitions into L-1400/L-1500. Eventually take a left onto L-100. 3.5 miles later take a right onto Dole Valley Rd, followed by a quick right onto L-1200. The rocky road of L-1200 will take you to the trailhead.

View from Silver Star Mountain

Beacon Rock

Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
Rumor has it, Beacon Rock is one of the tallest monoliths (solo piece of rock) in the United States. Surprisingly this monolith was not carried by ice age glacier movement, but instead, Beacon Rock is a projectile from the core of an explosive volcano. Mt Hood, maybe? Know one knows for sure. But in the early 1900's a man bought the enormous rock and constructed a series of cutback bridges leading 848 feet to the top! Making Beacon Rock one of the oldest trails in the gorge.

Beacon Rock is very easy to find. From Vancouver, head east on HWY 14 for approximately 40 miles. You can find parking just past the information center (small stone building) on the right hand side of the road. Don't forget your discover pass.

View of Beacon Rock from Hamilton Mt. Trail

Russell Lake

Distance: 12 Miles out and back

The following field guide is perfect for a long day hike or multi-night backpacking trip. However, I highly recommend staying the night. Jefferson Park is an ideal environment for overnighters. Plenty to see, plenty to do. Just don't forget insect repellent.

First expansive view after 1.5 miles of forest

Park Ridge via Russell Lake

Distance: 3 miles out and back
If you're backpacking in the Jefferson Park area, Park Ridge hike is a must. The round trip mileage may seem easy enough, until you realize the trail gains over 1200 feet of elevation in 1.5 miles. But still, very much worth the effort.  From Russell Lake, locate the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and head north towards Park Butte (Giant hill to the North).

Russell Lake and Mt. Jefferson

Norwegian Memorial Via Rialto Beach

Distance: 20 miles out and back
Olympic National Forest (ONF) is an amusement park for backpacking enthusiasts. ONF comprises several ecosystems with an abundance of hiking and backpacking option.  Want to summit a mountain? Hike through the largest rain-forest in America? Or trek the untapped shorelines of the Pacific Coast? ONF is the place!

To reach the trailhead, you must first head to Forks, WA. Stop by the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) on HWY 101 in Forks (551 S Forks Avenue) to pick up permits and bear canisters. Permits cost $5 per group plus $2 per person per night. The WIC recommends a $3 donation to rent Bear Canisters. Bear canisters are required for any back-country hiking in ONF, so bring your own or rent from WIC. Don’t forget to check tidal charts! Some parts of the trail are only accessible at low tide. Refer to the links at the bottom of this page or chat it up with the helpful staff at Forks’ WIC!

From the WIC, head north on HWY 101 until you reach La Push Rd (HWY 110), take a left and follow the road 20 minutes in route to Rialto Beach. This 20 mile hike can be accomplished in one day or multiple. Below is the recipe for a successful three day trip.

Day1
After you’re done exploring Rialto, adjust your pack, double check provisions, and hit the trail! The trailhead will direct you north along a bare, loose, sandy beach. Your steps will sink into the coarse sand for the first mile before reaching Hole-in-the-Wall. Walk closer to the waves for solid footing. 

Hole-in-the-Wall can be seen at the far right

Black Butte

Distance: 4 miles out and back
Several mountains, buttes, and formations decorate the landscape of central Oregon. Visibly jutting out of the ground from all highways leading to Bend, Redmond, Sisters, or Sun River. None more distinct than the perfectly symmetrical, dark cone of Black Butte. To find the trailhead from Bend, travel 27 miles NW on HWY 20, passing through the delightful town of Sisters along the way. Take a right on Ford Rd (NF-11) followed by a left on Black Butte Rd (NF-1110). Black Butte Rd begins smooth, but gradually becomes rockier as you work your way up.

Lava River Cave

Distance: 2 miles out and back
Lava River Cave is a quick & easy venture for anyone vacationing in central Oregon. From Bend Oregon, travel south on HWY 97 for 11 miles before taking a slight right on Crawford Rd (NF-9702). Don't miss the exit, the turnaround time is about 15 minutes (unfortunately, I know from experience). Follow the Lava River Cave signs from there.

Cave Entrance

Hamilton Mountain

Distance: 7.5 mile loop
Finding Beacon Rock State Park is simple. Just head east on HWY 14. When you see Beacon Rock jutting out of the ground to your right, you’ll approach a parks information station to your left (~40 miles from downtown Vancouver). To find the trailhead, veer left just past the information station and follow the road to its end.  If you reach Bonneville Dam, you’ve over shot the park by about a mile.

Hamilton Mountain rivals Beacon Rock as the most popular Columbia Gorge hiking destinations of the Washington side; and for good reason. Hamilton Mt. is a relatively short driving distance from town and provides a rewarding payoff-to-effort ratio. You'll view both Mt. Hood and Mt Adams from the summit of Hamilton Mountain.

Panoramic of Cape Horn Viewpoint

Fort Stevens & Peter Iredale

Distance: ~1 mile
Fort Stevens is located about 10 miles NW of Astoria, OR. I have no better way to describe the location better than: here. Fort Stevens could be better described as an outdoor museum than a hike. Fort Stevens was built near the end of the Civil War and was an active military site through WWII (1863-1947). Along with Fort Columbia and Fort Canby (Cape Disappointment), the trio formed the "three Fort Harbor Defense System" in guarding the mouth of the Columbia River. Interestingly enough, Fort Stevens was the only military site in the continental United States to receive attack during WWII. 17 Japanese artillery shells were fired at the fort June 21 and 22, 1942. 

View From South Bunker