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

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