Dunegan - Best Easy Day Hikes Portland, Oregon

Best Easy Day Hikes Series

Best Easy Day Hikes Portland, Oregon

Third Edition

Lizann Dunegan

Help Us Keep This Guide Up to Date

Every effort has been made by the author and editors to make this guide as accurate and useful as possible. However, many things can change after a guide is publishedtrails are rerouted, regulations change, facilities come under new management, etc.

We would appreciate hearing from you concerning your experiences with this guide and how you feel it could be improved and kept up to date. While we may not be able to respond to all comments and suggestions, well take them to heart and well also make certain to share them with the author. Please send your comments and suggestions to the following address:

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Thanks for your input, and happy trails!

Copyright 2014 by Morris Book Publishing, LLC

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437.

Falcon and FalconGuides are registered trademarks and Outfit Your Mind is a trademark of Morris Book Publishing, LLC.

Maps Morris Book Publishing, LLC

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN: 978-1-4930-0879-7

The author and Globe Pequot Press assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book.

Contents

The Hikes

Acknowledgments

Thanks to all my friends who helped me update this book, my canine hiking partners Bear and Tiz, and to the editors at Globe Pequot Press for editing the manuscript.

Introduction

This small pocket guide contains thirty-one easy day hikes ranging in length from 0.5 mile to 7.0 miles that allow you to explore Portland and surrounding natural areas within a ninety-minute drive of the city. Portland is nestled at the intersection of the mighty Columbia and Willamette Rivers, the deep forests of the Tualatin Mountain Range, and the diverse landscapes of the Willamette Valley and is just a short drive from magnificent Columbia River Gorge and scenic Mount Hood. This beautiful city is host to a vast system of parks. Many of the parks have interconnected trails that wind through a variety of natural landscapes that nurture your desire to get out and explore. Whether you want to experience an easy stroll along the banks of the Willamette River, enjoy the immense beauty of a natural waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge, or climb to a windswept summit, Best Easy Day Hikes Portland, Oregon showcases the best of this regions recreational treasures.

Weather

Portland and the Willamette Valley receive about 40 inches of rain per year. Expect rain starting in November and lasting through June. All this rain means that trails can be muddy and wet in winter. If youre prepared for these conditions, youll find that hiking during the winter months means fewer people and more solitude. Hikes located in the eastern part of the Columbia Gorge are typically drier than in Portland and the Willamette Valley, making this area a good place to visit if its rainy and wet in Portland. You can expect snow on trails above 4,000 feet beginning in late October and sometimes lasting through the end of June. Trails on Mount Hood sometimes do not open until July, depending on the depth of the snowpack. The driest hiking weather in Portland is July through October.

Preparing for Your Hike

Planning your hiking adventure begins with letting a friend or relative know your trip itinerary so that he or she can call for help if you dont return at your scheduled time. Your next task is to make sure you are outfitted to experience the risks as well as the rewards of the trail. This section highlights clothing and gear you may want to take with you to get the most out of your day hike.

Clothing

Clothing is your armor against Mother Natures little surprises. Clothing that can be worn in layers is a good strategy for dealing with the often rainy Portland weather. In the spring, fall, and winter months, the first layer youll want to wear is a wicking layer of long underwear that keeps perspiration away from your skin. Long underwear made from synthetic fibers is an excellent choice. Synthetic fabrics wick moisture away from the skin and draw it toward the next layer of clothing, where it evaporates. Avoid long underwear made of cotton; it is slow to dry and holds moisture next to your skin.

Your second layer should be an insulating layer. In addition to keeping you warm, this layer needs to breathe so that you stay dry while hiking. Fleece provides insulation and dries quickly; a zip-up jacket made of this material is highly recommended.

The last line of layering defense is the shell layer. Youll need some type of waterproof, windproof, breathable jacket that will fit over all your other layers. The shell should have a large hood that will fit over a hat. Youll also need a good pair of rain pants made from a similar waterproof, breathable fabric.

Now that youve learned the basics of layering, dont forget to protect your hands and face. In cold, windy, or rainy weather, youll need a hat made of wool or fleece and insulated, waterproof gloves that will keep your hands warm and toasty. Theyll allow you to remove your outer gloves for delicate work without exposing the skin. During the warm summer months, youll want to wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. If youre hiking in spring and summer on a trail next to a lake, creek, or river, be sure to carry mosquito repellent in your pack.

Shoes and Socks

Lightweight hiking boots or trail-running shoes are an excellent choice for day hiking. If youll be hiking in wet weather often, boots or shoes with a GORE-TEX liner will help keep your feet dry.

Socks are another important consideration. Steer clear of cotton socks in favor of socks made of wool or a synthetic blend. They provide better cushioning, wick moisture away from your feet, and help prevent blisters.

Its always a good idea to bring an extra pair of sandals or an old pair of tennis shoes along if you plan on wading in creeks or swimming in rivers.

Once youve purchased your footwear, be sure to break it in before you hit the trail. New footwear is often stiff and needs to be stretched and molded to your foot.

Backpacks

To make your day hike more enjoyable, youll need a day pack to carry basic trail essentials. A day pack should have some of the following characteristics: a padded hip belt thats at least 2 inches in diameter (avoid packs with only a small piece of nylon webbing for a hip belt); a chest strap (which helps stabilize the pack against your body); external pockets to carry water and other items that you want easy access to; an internal pocket to hold keys, a knife, a wallet, and other miscellaneous items; an outside pocket to hold a cell phone; an external lashing system to hold a jacket; and a hydration pocket for carrying a system (a water bladder with an attachable drinking hose). Some hikers like to use a fanny pack to carry a camera, food, a compass, a map, cell phone, and other trail essentials. Many fanny packs have a padded hip belt and pockets for two water bottles.