Regional Hikes: Summer is the time to hike the Pacific Northwest

  Mt. Hood from McIntyre Ridge                                        Photo by author

---

Related Articles

• Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest
  

• The ten essentials for safe hiking
  

• Abiqua Falls: A waterfall lover's dream

Every hiking season has its charm in the Pacific Northwest. Summer is the premier time however, for visitors to enjoy meadows of Technicolor wildflowers and thundering waterfalls.

The Portland, Oregon area is a central location to numerous hiking meccas. Destinations include the cascade peaks of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Oregon Coast.

So with that in mind, I've compiled a list of some Portland area favorites that cover a broad spectrum of what hikers might be looking for when they visit.

If you want to stay in town and don't mind greeting other hikers, try the Hoyt Arboretum or Balch Creek Canyon. If you're looking for a little more privacy close in, check out the Maple Trail or Powell Butte.

To hike through old growth forests, you can visit the Salmon River or the Riverside Trail. Want to walk among ancient trees by yourself? Head to the Eagle Creek Trail in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness.

Awe inspiring waterfalls are always a hit. The Trail of Ten Falls is an epic hike, and everybody knows it. Be prepared for crowds. The Eagle Creek Trail in the Gorge is considered the premier hike in the area, and a favorite for locals and visitors alike. The Horsetail / Triple falls loop is a classic, also potentially crowded hike. The Lewis River is slightly less crowded but no less beautiful. Wahclella Falls is a great 2 mile waterfall hike through a stunning canyon. One of the most amazing cascades to be found anywhere can be seen by hiking to Falls Creek Falls.  If you want to enjoy a waterfall without interference, try Dry Creek Falls.

Breathtaking vistas always make for a good lunch spot. Dog Mountain is the place to be during Memorial Day weekend. McIntyre Ridge is far less crowded, and even provides a bench for snack time. Hood River Mountain and McCall Point provide postcard worthy views as well.

Finally, to get way out there and enjoy some wide open space, head to the Klickitat Rail Trail. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as there is little shade to be found here.

Further reading:

Curious Gorge by Scott Cook

Afoot & Afield Portland/Vancouver: A comprehensive hiking guide by Douglas Lorain

100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington by William L. Sullivan

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Portland by Paul Gerald

For more of Adam's writing, reviews, and photography, visit AdamSawyer.com