Great hike but couldn’t go the distance without skis or snow shoes due to accumulated snow and ice. Pictures nonetheless. 
Great views at 2 miles through the Vista Ridge trail gaining an elevation of 1600 ft in a little over 2 hrs. 
Camping in Waxing Gibbous Moon light. 
Burnt forest at less than a mile through the trail head.
2016 Update: On Vista Ridge
Category Archives: Travel Oregon
Munra Point Hike
One of the more exciting day hikes close to Portland (other is Elk Mountain on OR 6), Munra Point hike is no walk in the park. The trail gains an elevation of around 1800-2000 ft in a little more than a mile. Average times (times may vary) hover around 2 hrs to the summit, extra time needed to carefully hike down the mountain. The hike begins at around 1.5-2 miles from the John B Yeon trail head. Take the CG bicycle path all the way up to Moffet Creek and turn right on to a narrow trail past signs to Trail # 400. At around 50 feet through the sign board, take the narrow steep trail to your right. The hike is a near scramble with a lot of exposure. Do not attempt should you fear your way down the mountain.
The narrow chimney that leads to the summit is a 15 ft scramble to the top. Stay safe!
Tam McArthur Rim Hike
An amazing hike awaits you in the Three Sisters wilderness. The Tam McArthur Rim Trail hike starts at Three Creek Lake and continues for around 4 miles onto the Broken Top trail. You have a clear view of Three Sisters and Broken Top at 3.5 miles. It gains an elevation of roughly 1700-1800 ft at the tallest point on the trail. It takes around 90-120 mins (times may vary) for an average hiker. The views (above) further up from the summit of an unmaintained trail are simply stunning. At an elevation of 8000 odd feet, be ready for snowfields as late as July.
You get clear views of the Three Creek Lake (above) and Mt Bachelor (below) along the trail. The trail climbs quickly, then relaxes a bit with a very gradual gradient and then steps up again.
You reach a cliff (below, visible from the lake) at 1250 feet and around 2.5 miles into the trail beyond which the trail is not maintained. I camped 0.5 mile further up from this point for a night and came across fresh cougar paw marks in the snow fields on the route ahead. Beware this is bear country.
Panorama at clarity of a 50mm fixed lens for amateurs interested in orology.
Lost Lake Butte Hike
South of Hood River, up by the Lost lake resort is a short but beautiful hike to what is now called the Lost Lake Butte. The hike gains an elevation of 1300 ft in 2.3 miles and takes around 60 minutes (times may vary).
It offers generous NW views of Mt Hood
Overnight tent camping has its perks.
Bachelor Mountain Hike
One of the best sites for overnight tent camping lies probably half way (at 0.9 miles) through the roughly 1.9 miles to the summit. You gain an elevation of 1100 ft to the summit of Bachelor mountain and may take around 45-60 mins (times may vary). You witness Mt Jefferson upclose.
The trail offers views to the South Cascades, esp peaks to Mt Washington North & South Sisters, Broken Top, Three Fingered Jack, Mt Bachelor, as well as Mt Adams to the North.
There are two ways to get to the trailhead in the Santiam wilderness and one of the ways (FR 1168/430) is simply not meant for passenger cars, or you may just be relying on your luck. The other one is gravel with potholes and uneven patches in some sections. Please do your research. I may be an exceptionally good driver to have managed to escape without a broken axle. 😉 Moonlight camping offered a pretty sight.
2014 Update: Night camping in a cloudy setting
2016 Update: Enroute to Coffin Mountain
East ZigZag Hike
A decently rewarding workout awaits in the name of the East Zigzag hike with around 2300 ft to gain in elevation in rougly 4.7 miles. Add another 0.5 mile should you need to park further down from the North Burnt Lake trailhead due to dicey road conditions. It took me around 120 mins to reach the summit (times may vary).
Looking eastwards towards the west face of Mt Hood.
Portland loves you :))).
Google “Silcox Hut” to know more.
Neahkanie Mountain Hike
Set along US 101 coastal highway is the Neahkanie Mountain loop hike (North & South Neahkanie trailheads). The North trail is longer than the South with a total one-way length of 2.7 miles and an elevation gain of around 1450 feet to the highest trail-able point on the mountain. Alternatively the South trail gains around 850 feet in some 1.6 miles. It is an easy hike which may take anywhere between 60 mins to 120 mins (times may vary) to reach the so-called high point. Note the high point is easy to miss and before you know you will be on your way down the other side.
The views are great subject to fog, clouds or simply the time of the day. These pictures were taken in January 2013.
Timberline Lodge Alpine Hike
Timberline Lodge alpine hike offers a 1000 feet elevation gain over 2 miles in 45-60 mins (times may vary). I wouldn’t recommend this hike unless you are planning to escape a hot day in summer (temperature and humidity at this elevation is generally lower). But the Timberline lodge itself is worth a visit and also offers some exciting Ski runs in winter. Also research “magic mile”…
2015 Update:
Wahkeena Falls Hike
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.
Vista House
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.
Last Man On The Trail 