Douglas Lorain - 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon

Author Douglas Lorain has compiled a wonderful bunch of hikesfrom the Coast to the Wallowas, Cascades and out onto the High Desertwhich will give you itchy feet.

The Nugget Newspaper (Sisters, Oregon)

Think you already know Oregons outdoors? This new book contains 100 of the best hikes, and chances are there are more than a few pristine places in the Beaver State with which you are not familiar... Well-written, the book has short, concise directions. However, beware! All who read may find themselves planning their next out-of-state trip to Oregon.

Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah)

If the Pacific Northwest figures into your temporary exit plans this summer, youll want 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon... Truly a deluxe guide to Oregon... Lorain approaches this book like a consummate journalist.

Tail Winds

If you need some excellent color photos to whet your appetite for hiking, check out 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon.

Idaho Statesman

Lorain provides detailed information on an eclectic mix of hikes... Maps and charts showing elevation changes are excellent and easy-to-read.

Herald and News (Klamath Falls, Oregon)

THE MOUNTAINEERS BOOKS

is the nonprofit publishing arm of The Mountaineers, an organization founded in 1906 and dedicated to the exploration, preservation, and enjoyment of outdoor and wilderness areas.

1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134

2011 by Douglas Lorain

All rights reserved

First edition, 2004. Second edition, 2011.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Manufactured in China

Copy Editor: Christine Ummel Hosler

Cover and Book Design: The Mountaineers Books

Layout: Ani Rucki

Cartographer: Moore Creative Designs

All photographs by the author

Maps shown in this book were produced using National Geographics TOPO! software.

For more information, go to www.nationalgeographic.com/topo.

Cover photograph: South Sister over Eileen Lake, Three Sisters Wilderness (Hike 52).

Frontispiece: Hidden Lake, Wallowa Mountains (Hike 87).

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lorain, Douglas, 1962

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lorain, Douglas, 1962

100 classic hikes in Oregon : Oregon coast, Columbia Gorge. Cascades, eastern Oregon, Wallowas.2nd ed. p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-59485-492-7 (ppb)

1. HikingOregonGuidebooks 2. TrailsOregonGuidebooks. 3. BackpackingOregonGuidebooks. 4. OregonGuidebooks. I. Title. II. Title: One hundred classic hikes in Oregon.

GV199.42.O74L67 2011

796.5109795dc22

2010045518

ISBN (paperback): 978-1-59485-492-7

ISBN (e-book): 978-1-59485-493-4

N ot every state can say this (they know who they are), but in Oregon the Great Outdoors really is great. Oregon is a state of remarkable geographic diversity. From waterlogged rain forests to arid deserts, from glacier-clad peaks to wave-lapped beaches, from deep river canyons to view-packed ridge crests, Oregon has something to offer every outdoor lover. You could easily spend a lifetime in this beautiful state and never grow tired of its charms.

Mount Jefferson from Bear Butte Viewpoint (Hike 44)

Carefully selected from more than 2000 hikes in the Beaver State, the trips in this book are, arguably, the 100 best walks in Oregon. Every part of the state is represented, so no matter where you live or where you are visiting, a choice of great hikes is nearby. The hikes also include a mix of difficulty levels, from short, easy strolls suitable for young children and their great-grandparents to extended backpacking trips on which experienced hikers can enjoy a long vacation away from the rat race.

Personal preferences were necessarily a factor in the selection of hikes to include, but understanding the criteria used will give you a good idea of what kind of hikes you can expect to find in this book. Although no single attribute was required in every hike, the most important criterion was outstanding scenery, especially good views. Water features, such as clear streams, waterfalls, and mountain lakes, were also significant attractions. Similarly, wildlife sightings enhance any outdoor experience, as do wild-flowers, fall colors, old-growth forests, juicy huckleberries, and interesting geologic features. One factor that is important to many hikers but which played no part in the selection criteria for this book is the quality of fishing.

Apart from these subjective judgments, the following objective criteria apply to all hikes in this book:

The best and most intimate way to see the state is at the self-propelled pace that hiking allows. To answer the question of why go hiking, simply glance at the photographs and hike overviews in this book to be inspired about what you can experience if you travel on foot. Questions about where and when to go are answered in the individual hike descriptions. That leaves the question of how to do these hikes. Some tips will help you spend more happy hours exploring Oregons trails.

GETTING STARTED

If you are new to hiking, are new to Oregon, or just want to find new hiking friends, a good place to start is with a local hiking or outdoor club. These groups have a full schedule of hikes suitable for all ability levels. This allows you to save money by carpooling with others, gives you the chance to meet interesting people, and lets you learn from local experts. For a list of the larger hiking clubs in Oregon, see Appendix B at the back of this book.