One Night Wilderness: Portland: Quick & convenient backpacking getaways within three hours of the city
1st EDITION 2009
3rd printing 2010
Copyright © 2009 by Douglas Lorain
All photos and maps copyright © 2009 by Douglas Lorain (except photo)
Cover design: Larry B. Van Dyke
Book design: Lisa Pletka
Book editor: Marc Lecard
ISBN 978-0-89997-463-7
Manufactured in the United States of America
| Published by: | Wilderness Press |
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| Berkeley, CA 94710 | |
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| Cover photos: | Three Fingered Jack from the Pacific Crest Trail, Mount Jefferson Wilderness (Trip 62) (front); Mt. Hood above Mt. Hood Meadows (Trip 41) (back) |
| Frontispiece: | Umbrella Falls, Mount Hood National Forest (Trip 41) |
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews.
SAFETY NOTICE: Although Wilderness Press and the author have made every attempt to ensure that the information in this book is accurate at press time, they are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience that may occur to anyone while using this book. You are responsible for your own safety and health while in the wilderness. The fact that a trail is described in this book does not mean that it will be safe for you. Be aware that trail conditions can change from day to day. Always check local conditions, know your own limitations, and consult a map.
“Having a landscape to oneself is an exclusive pleasure. Many of us stumble upon this by surprise. Suddenly it is there—unshared, solitary. One may well experience a reckless moment of freedom, a penetrating moment of understanding. A meaning that was elusive is suddenly clear.”
—Margaret Owings, artist and conservationist
Acknowledgments
As always, the help of many people made this book possible. Special thanks go to the following persons:
For her love, her encouragement, and especially her forbearance in allowing me to spend so much time on the trail (sadly) away from her loving arms, I especially wish to thank my wife, Becky Lovejoy.
I would also like to thank my nephews, Rossin and Kamron Ebrahimi, and Drew Bush, who enthusiastically helped me experience the joys of introducing a youngster to backpacking (and stuffing my face with huckleberries) on their first overnight trips into the wilderness.
My great appreciation goes to all the many people at Wilderness Press whose talent and hard work were invaluable in making this book both readable and attractive, but who (unfairly) don’t get the glory of having their names on the cover. On this project I especially want to point out the assistance of Marc Lecard, Lisa Pletka, and Laura Shauger.
Finally, I would like to thank the following individuals at the various land agencies for taking the time to review hikes in their area and provide helpful input: Steve Andringa, Bryan Bell, Susan Graham, Edan Lira, Jon Nakae, Jacquelyn Oakes, Jim Thornton, Geoff Walker, and Macy Yates.
Preface
Fortune has smiled on outdoor lovers in the Portland metropolitan area. Within a short drive from their homes, hikers face an almost unbelievable array of options. They can choose to walk through massive old-growth forests or to visit any of several hundred waterfalls. They can climb across massive glaciers or traipse through wildflower-covered mountain meadows. They can beachcomb on surf-pounded sand or explore semi-desert canyonlands filled with the aroma of sagebrush. Only one or two other cities in the country can boast such a wide assortment of opportunities so close at hand.
Many, even most, of these wonders are accessible to dayhikers. But as thousands of pedestrians have discovered over the years, to appreciate fully the charms and wonders of the wilderness, nothing compares to packing in your gear and spending the night. The outdoor experience is infinitely richer, more exhilarating, and certainly more memorable if you extend your stay, enjoying a place where the stars outshine the streetlights, where the hooting of owls and the howling of coyotes replaces the honking of horns and the shriek of sirens, and where crowded cityscapes, although closer than you’d think, seem to be a million miles away.
This book is designed for two groups of people: those who already know the pleasures and rejuvenating qualities of spending a night in the wilderness; and those who hope to soon join that club. The goal is to provide the first guide to all the best one- (and a few two-) night hikes within a three-hour drive of Portland. There are trips here for all ability levels, from short and easy strolls suitable for backpackers of any age, to extended trips of 20 miles or more that will test even the fittest hiker. What they all have in common is a close proximity to Portland, terrific scenery, and inviting campsites that make them suitable for weekend trips.
While researching this guide, I hiked every trip in this book at least once and most of them numerous times. However, roads and trails constantly change as new routes are built, old trails are abandoned, and floods and landslides obliterate existing routes. Your comments on recent developments or changes for future editions are always welcome. Please write to me in care of Wilderness Press at [email protected].
Contents
Summary of Featured Trips
Introduction
Tips on Backpacking in the Pacific Northwest
Advice for the First-Time Backpacker
Reintroducing Yourself to Backpacking
Introducing Your Kids to Backpacking
Southeastern Olympic Mountains
1 Duckabush River Trail
2 Lake of the Angels