Douglas Lorain - Backpacking Oregon: From River Valleys to Mountain Meadows

BACKPACKING OREGON

From the book...

ROGUE RIVER TRAIL ()

This wild canyon provides continuously spectacular scenery, waterfalls, [and] unusually abundant wildlife.... It is unquestionably one of Oregons most exciting long backpacking trips.

TIMBERLINE TRAIL LOOP ()

... probably the most famous footpath in the state... The mountain views are stunning, wildflowers choke many of the meadows, and exceptional side trips abound.

THREE SISTERS LOOP ()

One of Oregons greatest long backpacking trips, this route completely circles the Three Sisters, providing ever-changing views of these beautiful siblings.... A hiker could spend weeks here and never tire of the scenery or run out of places to explore.

BEAR CREEK LOOP ()

Tucked away in a lesser used corner of the Wallowa Mountains, this loop provides an excellent opportunity for experienced hikers to explore some outstanding country, see plenty of wildlife, and enjoy lonesome trails.... This trips main attraction... is the spectacular hike along Washboard Ridge, one of the most outstanding ridge walks in Oregon.

STEENS MOUNTAIN GORGES LOOP ()

The cliffs on the mountains eastern escarpment drop more than 5,500 feet to the flat expanse of Alvord Desert. On the gently sloping west side of the mountain, ice age glaciers carved immense U-shaped gorges that are among the most impressive in the world.

HONEYCOMBS LOOP ()

A land of striking beauty lies on the east side of the Owyhee Reservoir. In the dry canyons of this desert country, you will discover a collection of oddly shaped rock pinnacles, towers, and cliffs painted in a colorful array of browns, reds, and oranges.

Backpacking Oregon: From River Valleys to Mountain Meadows

1st Edition 1999

2nd Edition 2007

3rd Edition 2019

Copyright 2007 and 1999 by Douglas Lorain

Copyright 2019 by Becky Ohlsen

Distributed by Publishers Group West

Manufactured in the United States of America

Cover design: Larry B. Van Dyke and Scott McGrew

Book design: Larry B. Van Dyke with updates by Annie Long

Maps by Douglas Lorain and Scott McGrew

Photos by the author except as noted

Front cover photos, clockwise from top: Three-Fingered Jack (; photographed by Douglas Lorain)

Back cover photo: Hells Canyon (; photographed by Becky Ohlsen)

Frontispiece: Looking upstream Minam River to Jim White Ridge (see ); photographed by Douglas Lorain

Book editor: Amber Kaye Henderson

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Lorain, Douglas, 1962- author. | Ohlsen, Becky, author.

Title: Backpacking Oregon / Douglas Lorain ; revised by Becky Ohlsen.

Description: Third Edition. | Birmingham, Alabama : Wilderness Press, an imprint of Adventure- KEEN, [2018] | 1st Edition September 1999T.p. verso. | 2nd Edition May 2007T.p. verso. | Distributed by Publishers Group WestT.p. verso.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018037441| ISBN 9780899977751 (paperback) | ISBN 9780899977768 (ebook) ISBN 9781643590110 (hardcover)

Subjects: LCSH: BackpackingOregonGuidebooks. | HikingOregonGuidebooks. | Trails OregonGuidebooks. | Outdoor recreationOregonGuidebooks. | OregonGuidebooks.

Classification: LCC GV199.42.O7 L67 2019 | DDC 796.51/09795dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018037441

Published by:

WILDERNESS PRESS
An imprint of AdventureKEEN
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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 authors 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 and know your own limitations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Douglas Lorain: The help of many people made this book possible. First of all, I would like to thank the hundreds of wilderness rangers and fellow hikers who provided companionship and trip recommendations.

SPECIAL THANKS GO TO THE FOLLOWING PERSONS:

For introducing me to backpacking: my parents, Bob and Nancy Lorain.

Occasional hiking partners and/or friends: David Elsbernd, Barbara Fink, Bob Fink, and Glenn Sutton.

From the now-closed Nature of the Northwest store, Don Haines, who displayed enormous patience and an uncanny ability to answer questions on virtually any subject.

Formerly on the Hells Canyon Preservation Council, Ric Bailey.

From the Mazamas, Keith Mischke.

From the Trails Club of Oregon, Walt Garvin.

U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management personnel, who read drafts or otherwise provided their considerable expertise: Bob Alward, Larry Brandvold, Ray Crist, Leigh Dawson, Mary Emerick, Carole Holly, Dwight Johnson, Janet Kirsch, Don McLennan, Randy Menke, Kirk Metzger, Jacquelyn Oakes, Steve Otoupalik, Mike Ricketts, Robin Rose, John Shipp, Cathi Wilbanks, and Sue Womack.

From Oregon State Parks, Pete Bond.

For generously sharing his experience in publishing, William L. Sullivan.

For her botanical expertise, Christine Ebrahimi.

For her love, support, and the countless other wonderful things she brings to my life, my wife, Becky Lovejoy.

Becky Ohlsen: Thanks to Wilderness Press and to Doug Lorain for giving me the opportunity to help update this revered and trusted book. Working on it was a dream job, and it allowed me to spend time in a few parts of Oregon that Id only ever driven through or dipped a proverbial toe in. Thanks also to the many rangers who answered odd questions, the hikers who stopped to chat on the trail, and especially the folks who perform crucial trail maintenance every spring. Lastly, thanks to the nurse on the health-advice hotline who talked me down when I called in a panic after picking up a tick in Southern Oregon. (It turns out that Lyme disease is still uncommon in these parts.)

Mount Hood from just above Cooper Spur Shelter (see )

photographed by Douglas Lorain

CONTENTS

Klamath and Siskiyou Mountains

Western Old Cascades

High Cascades: North

High Cascades: South

Blue Mountains

Wallowa Mountains

Hells Canyon