Fred Barstad - Best Hikes Near Portland: A Falcon Guide

Copyright 2009 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 The Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, P.O. Box 480, Guilford CT 06437.

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

Interior photos by Fred Barstad

Art on page iii Shutterstock

Text design by Sheryl P. Kober

Maps by Tim Kissel, Trailhead Graphics Inc. Morris Book Publishing, LLC

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

ISBN 978-1-4930-0589-5

The author and The 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

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Dave Kaufman, Karla Evans, and Marq Box for hiking with me on these trails. Thanks to Randy Peterson, ODF Recreation project manager for the eastern part of Tillamook State Forest; Larry Sprouse, ODF Support Unit Forester for the Astoria District Clatsop State Forest; and Mary Ellen Fitzgerald, R6 USFS coordinator, for reviewing portions of the text. Thanks to Marie Deuell for information on Forest Park. Thanks also to the Forest Service employees at the Zigzag Ranger Station and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters for furnishing road and trail information. Most of all, thanks to my wife, Sue Barstad, for hiking and camping with me and editing the raw text.

Introduction

Whether you wish to hike to an isolated Pacific Ocean beach, tromp through the lush rain forest to the rugged peaks of the Coast Range, climb into the subalpine country on the western slopes of Mount Hood, or ascend to the summit of an active volcano, hikes within an hours drive (or slightly more) of the greater Portland metropolitan area offer it all.

The coastal and most of the Coast Range hikes, as well as the hikes within the Willamette Valley, are generally snow-free year-round. Although you may need rain gear in the winter and spring, these walks can be very pleasant at all times of the year.

At higher elevations the trips into the Cascade Range are generally snow-free from mid-June through October. Several of these hikes lead you into superb subalpine territory, with fantastic views of the fire peaks of the High Cascades. The highest and probably the most strenuous of these hikes takes you to the summit of Mount St. Helens.

Besides the out-of-town hikes, Forest Park, within the city, has more than 50 miles of trails available to hikers. Slightly farther from downtown, the spectacular Columbia River Gorge, with its dark basalt cliffs and magnificent waterfalls, is laced with forest trails just waiting for the hikers boots.

Geography and Climate

Within an hours drive of Portland, a wide range of geographic features can be found. At the western edge of this region are the Pacific Ocean beaches and in a few spots, mostly near the mouths of major rivers, a coastal plain. Very close to the beaches and in some cases all the way to the breakers, forming exposed headlands, is the Coast Range, which has even heavier rainfall than the coast itself. East of the Coast Range the low and fertile Willamette Valley, still fairly damp but much drier than the Coast Range, stretches south from Portland. Farther east the Cascade Range wrings out most of the remaining moisture from the Pacific storms. The Cascade Range is much higher than the Coast Range and in places has up to 150 inches of annual rainfall, of which a good part falls as snow. Except for the highest parts of the Cascade Range, the entire region enjoys a mild marine climate.

Large Wildlife

The most common large animal in this area is the black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus columbianus ). You can expect to see them on any of the hikes described in this book, even in Forest Park, within the city of Portland.

Roosevelt elk

Roosevelt elk ( Cervus elaphus roosevelti ) are the largest animals in the region. A large bull may reach half a ton in weight. The Coast Range and the area south of Mount St. Helens is prime range for these majestic animals. They are also found in smaller numbers around Mount Hood.

Black bears and cougars are possible on nearly all the hikes described in this guide, but they are shy and seldom seen.

Hazards and Being Prepared

There are a few simple things you can do that will improve your chances of staying healthy while you are on your hikes. One of the most important things to do is to be careful of your drinking-water supply. All surface water should be filtered, chemically treated, or boiled before drinking, washing utensils, or brushing your teeth with it.

Check the weather report before heading into the mountains. Inform friends or relatives of your itinerary and when you plan to return. If you are planning a long or difficult hike, be sure to get into shape ahead of time. This will make your trip much more pleasant as well as safer. Of all the safety tips, the most important is to take your brain with you when you go into the wilderness. Without it, no tips will help, and with it, almost any obstacle can be avoided or overcome. Think about what you are doing, be safe, and have a great time in the outdoors!

Encounters with Stock and Mountain Bikers

Meeting stock traffic is a common occurrence on a few of the trails in this region. So its a good idea to know how to pass stock with the least possible disturbance or danger. If you come into contact with stock, try to get as far off the trail as possible. Equestrians prefer that you stand on the downhill side of the trail, but there is some question as to whether this is the safest place for a hiker. If possible, I like to get well off the trail on the uphill side. It is often a good idea to talk quietly to the horses and their riders, as this seems to calm many horses. If you have a dog with you, be sure to keep it restrained and quiet. Dogs cause many horse wrecks.