Silver Star Mountain Hike

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Gorgeous views atop the mountain but you have to traverse through some of the most demanding patches at the start and midway through the hike. It offers an elevation gain of around 2100 feet in 3 miles and takes around 120-150 minutes for the average hiker (times may vary). The trail gets nasty in places (very rocky) and gravel and is partly responsible for the longer duration during ascend and descend.

Mt Hood at a distance…
mt hood silver star mountain washington oregon postcard
Mt Adams is one of the mountains visible from the summit on a clear day…
silver star mountain mt adams mt rainier st helens mt hood view trail hike washington postcard

Video

Wahkeena Falls Hike

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wahkeena trail columbia gorge lemmon's viewpoint portland oregon postcard
At around 1.6 miles into the hike (past Wahkeena and Lemmon’s viewpoint), you encounter a thick tree cover and also pass a couple of scenic streams flowing down along the trail. The trail goes all the way upto Devil’s rest (at around 2500 feet in 3.7 miles). Although not a strong recommendation to go any further beyond the 1.6-2 miles mark on this trail, it offers an exciting green cover in spring/early summer and probably year round.
wahkeena falls trail columbia river gorge lemmon's viewpoint portland oregon postcard

Vista House

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Another popular attraction with excellent visibility on a perfect day (as seen from Portland Women’s Forum Scenic Viewpoint). In my opinion May-June and October-November make for some of the best pictures.

Dog Mountain Hike

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One of the more strenuous hikes for the average hiker, but you gotta earn the breeze and views at the top of the mountain. You gain an elevation of 2800 feet in around 3.8 miles and may well take you more than 120 mins to reach the summit (times may vary). Be sure to carry enough water on a hot day but I personally recommend May/June for the best scenery (wildflowers). These pictures were taken in July.

A lovely hike…

Just got lovelier…

Video

2018 Update: 
dog mountain columbia river gorge washington oregon trail hike trek postcard
dog mountain columbia river gorge washington oregon trail hike trek postcard

 

McNeil Peak Hike

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mt hood mcneil point peak oregon timberline trail #600 postcard
A long hike along the west face ridge of Mt Hood gaining around 3100 feet in 6 miles, McNeil Peak (I hope that is what it is called) is around 3/4’s of a mile further up from McNeil Point Shelter. The views along Timberline trail #600 are astounding to say the least and this may be an ideal summer hike for the initiated. An average hiker may take as long as 180-210 mins for the long and strenuous hike all the way to the peak (times may vary). Make sure you are carrying enough water for the 120-150 mins on your way down the mountain.
mt hood mcneil point peak oregon timberline trail #600 postcard
The stretch between the shelter and the peak is steep in places and has no cover for shade. But is gorgeous nonetheless…
mcneil point shelter mt hood timberline trail #600 oregon hike watermark
Mt Hood from McNeil Peak…
mcneil point peak mt hood hike view oregon timberline trail #600 postcard

Video

2013 Update: McNeil Point from Bald Mountain and further up from McNeil Point Shelter (Pics below)
McNeil Point Bald Mountain Mt Hood Shelter Sandy River

2014 Update: Night Camping around 2.5 miles along the way to McNeil Shelter (Pic below)
McNeil Point backpacking

2014 Update: Night Camping about 0.25 mile further up the shelter (Pic below)
McNeil Point backpacking
McNeil Point backpacking
McNeil Point backpacking
McNeil Point backpacking

Pittock Mansion Hike

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If you aren’t so much of a hiking enthusiast but don’t mind a good work out on an odd day (or an odd work out on a good day – whichever), here’s my suggestion for you – Pittock Mansion. Nestled in the  forest park only a few mins (drive) from downtown Portland, this hike offers what may well be few of the most exciting views of the city for common public. Alternately you can also drive all the way up to the mansion (use Burnside).

The hike reaches an elevation gain of around 900 feet in 2.5 miles and takes around 45-60 mins in summer when the trail is clear of puddles. I recommend visiting the mansion in different seasons (and varied times of the day) to enjoy a beauty called Portland, however my personal favorite is fall. A must see…

Tom Dick & Harry Mountain Hike

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Another personal favorite, great for a second or third hike at the start of the season. It not only offers generous views of the SW face of Mt Hood, but also extends its greatness 🙂 to include St Helens, Mt Adams, Mt Jefferson and Mirror Lake. You cover an elevation gain of roughly 1700 feet in 2.9 miles and takes around 90 minutes for the average hiker (times may vary). I shall definitely recommend summer (July) as the trail may carry a fair amount of snow as late as June.

Mt Hood close-up

Mt Jefferson at a distance

2013 Update: Backpacking overnight at the summit (Pics below)
Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain Starry Night Oregon Trek Hiking Backpacking Camping Tent Mt Hood
Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain Starry Night Oregon Trek Hiking Backpacking Camping Tent Mt Hood Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain Starry Night Oregon Trek Hiking Backpacking Camping Tent Mt Hood[/caption]

Saddle Mountain Hike

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Saddle Mountain is the perfect second or third hike for the serious hiker at the start of a determined season (that should ideally end with a 4000+ feet elevation gain hike). It offers some of the most spectacular views including all snow clapped peaks (in a radius of 200 miles) on a clear day. And offers around 1600 feet of elevation gain in 2.6 miles and takes no more than 90 mins for an average hiker (times may vary). My favorite time of the year is April-May, however March offers more wildflowers.

Notice where Columbia meets the Pacific ocean…
saddle mountain summit columbia river meets pacific ocean oregon postcard
What a view!
saddle mountain summit columbia river meets pacific ocean oregon postcard
The higher of the two summits on the mountain…
saddle mountain summit oregon coast postcard

Video

2013 Update: Cloudfall from Saddle Mountain
Cloudfall Saddle Mountain Oregon Instagram
photo

Silver South Falls Hike

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Over the years I cannot count the number of times I have had to take people to experience the majesty of these falls. What makes the trip worth the investment is the fact that you get to walk behind some of the falls, South falls (pictured) being my favorite. Recommended season is spring (on a not so rainy day).