Top 10 Adventures

Our Local Expert Says:

Located just outside of Portland, upon entering this park you'll feel you've entered another world.

Description:

Forest Park, the largest municipal park in the nature, is a great spot for hiking, biking, and jogging on a clear day in Portland. This 5,000 acre park is a must-see for all nature lovers visiting the area. The fir trees and abundant plant life make this park feel other-worldly. Extra points if you can find the picnic tables buried in moss.

Description:

Surveyor's Ridge Trail rolls along a ridge top, resulting in a mixture of steep up and downhill areas as well as flat sections. The landscape varies from open grassy slopes and meadows, to rocky outcroppings, to abandoned logging roads. The trail can be joined from access points along road 17 for shorter hiking and biking trips. A strenuous 35 mile loop bike ride can be made in either direction by using the trail, road 17, Highway 35 and road 44. Gibson prairie campground, a 4-site campground designed especially for those traveling with horses, can be reached by this trail of road 17.

In addition to magnificent views of Mt. Hood and the Hood River Valley, points of interest include: A climb to the top of Rim Rock (a former lookout tower site), a passage through Cook's Meadow, and a look at an aqueduct that once contributed water to the Dalles watershed. In the spring and summer, the section of the trail between Forest Service Road 640 (continuing past the trailhead) up to Bald Butte offers outstanding wildflowers. With enough time and energy, the climb to Bald Butte is worth it due to its unsurpassable views.

Description:

From the Tamanawas Falls parking area, cross the East Fork of the Hood River on a log bridge and turn right (north) on the East Fork Trail #650. The trail continues along the west bank of the river for half a mile to a junction with the Tamanawas Falls Trail #650A. Continue straight ahead on this trail, cross Cold Spring Creek on a plank bridge and turn left. Another quarter mile brings you to a junction with the Tamanawas Tie trail #650B. Turn left and cross the stream on a log bridge. The trail then follows the south bank a short distance and after descending a series of log steps, crosses back to the north bank. From here, the trail climbs through a talus slope and in a quarter mile reaches the falls.

Note: Optional Five mile Loop: After visiting the falls, hikers may choose to vary the return route by taking the Tamanawas Tie trail. This trail climbs gently out of the canyon and after a half mile reaches a junction with the Elk Meadows Trail #645. Turn right and follow this trail downhill for a mile and a quarter to a junction with the East Fork trail just above the Polallie trailhead parking area. If you have not arranged to be picked up here, turn right and follow the East Fork...

Description:

Gumjuwac Trail climbs steadily in a series of switchbacks to Rd. 3550.
Your hike can be continued on Trail #480 to Gumjuwac Saddle or on Trail #458 to Lookout Mt. for spectacular views and summer wildflowers.

Description:

Hidden just below Mt. Hood and less than an hour from Portland, this 44,560-acre wilderness is relatively unknown and lightly used. As its name implies, the main draw here is the Salmon River and the mountains it winds through. Hiking trails below 2,000 feet are usually snow-free all winter while those higher are often closed November-May. Easy day hikes filled with good views of Mt. Hood can be had along the Mirror Lake and Veda Lake Trails, both two and a half miles round-trip in length. There are no fees to use the area.

Description:

The Top Spur Trail provides quick access to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 (PCNST), Bald Mountain Trail #784 and Timberline Trail #600. The closest viewpoint to Top Spur is on the PCNST, towards the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River. This viewpoint overlooks the Muddy Fork and Mount Hood.

The Bald Mountain Trail and the PCNST are both open to horses. The portion of the PCNST between Bald Mountain and Ramona Falls, however, is not recommended for equestrian use due to frequent slides. Bald Mountain Trail is a highly recommended alternate route. The Timberline Trail is closed to horses. The Top Spur Trail also leads to trails within the Mount Hood Wilderness, which are closed to bicycles and motorcycle use and wilderness permits are required in the wilderness.