Troutdale, Oregon

Starvation Creek Falls is an impressive 190 ft. waterfall just a few feet from the parking lot. If you don't know it's there, you'll miss it. Keep walking past the restrooms, away from the trail head to see this beautiful two-tiered waterfall. There are a couple of picnic tables near the creek to...

The Starvation Creek Falls drops 141ft down into a naturally formed bowl, cascading past a wooded picnic area and onto the Columbia River. The falls are one of the easiest falls to access in the Columbia River Gorge along with Multnomah Falls, but are far less Crowded. The short 300ft walk from t...

The hike along Mt. Defiance Trail to Warren and Lancaster Falls is great if you want to get away from some of the more crowded destinations in the gorge, or just want to catch some shade during the summer. The trail is fairly easygoing, though the last 1/4th of a mile to Lancaster Falls is a bit ...

This hidden beauty is just north of Carson, Washington. Watch for Panther Creek campground signs and follow the twisting road about 7 miles to a rock quarry and park there. The trail begins just off the road about 50 yards back - keep an eye out for signs for the trailhead and listen for the fall...

This hike starts at the Fir Tree Trailhead and is an out and back 2.8 mile round trip. It's short, but there's 660 feet of elevation gain. To start, you climb steeply then it's an easy hike to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the lake. The trail descends via switchbacks down to the lake for the ...

This lake is found about 25 miles south of Hood River, Or. $5 for day use and now other passes are accepted, just keep that in mind. There are camping sites all over the lake as well, so if you are thinking of making a weekend out of it.  It wasn't very crowded on a weekend during the summer so y...

Starting at 6,000 ft of elevation at Timberline Lodge, start your climb up the south side of Mt. Hood. If you head out at noon, in 6 hours you can make it about an hour past the last ski lift, called Palmer, where you can set up camp for the night. You may need to dig out a flat spot for your ten...

The hike begins at Timberline Lodge, which sits on Mount Hood at 6,000 feet of elevation. Find the Timberline trail behind the lodge by following any of the maze of trails heading east and you will be on your way! After 1.2 miles, you reach Little Zigzag Canyon where you will descend approximatel...

The Pacific Northwest has an abundance of beautiful, technical and fun Alpine ascents.  For those looking to feel the rush of mountaineering but not wanting to push for a summit attempt, Illumination Rock on the southwest ridge of Mt Hood, offers a beautiful way to spend an afternoon or potential...

Ending just a few thousand feet shy of the mountain top, Palmer Lift doesn't start operating until most ski resorts are nearing their close. This leaves most of the mountain nearly uninhabited and ideal for exploring with close up views of the complex summit above and well into Oregon down below....

From the mount hood scenic byway in Government Camp, Oregon turn on the road that heads up to the Timberline Lodge. Follow that road to the end and park in the lot all the way at the top. In the ski season you need a pass to park there, but if you go in June, July, Or August (aka when the wildflo...

The reflection of Mt. Hood on the lake makes this trip definitely worth the visit.Try to arrive during the day so you can watch the sunset. For photographers, the south side of the lake is an amazing spot to take photos, especially on a windless day. For those looking to kayak or fish, there is a...

Starting at the parking lot for Trillium Lake located right off of Highway 26, go past the locked gate and begin walking downhill. After about a mile, you will see a fork in the road. Either way will eventually take you to the lake, but going left will be much quicker and take you to the best spo...

Trillium Lake is a popular camp spot at the base of Mount Hood. It's known for it's scenery, abundant recreational activities, and is family friendly. Boating, swimming and fishing are quite popular on the 63 acre lake. There is a small boat ramp within the campground and a larger ramp available ...

Getting to Punchbowl Falls is a super quick hike to a fun cliff-jumping swimming hole and waterfall. Be careful hiking the steep trail to the falls. Make use of the rope. Be VERY careful approaching the edge of the cliff higher up and know your limits when it comes to jumping. Always walk down a...

Cooper Spur is located on the north east side of Mount Hood. This is the hike to do if you want to get up close and personal with the mountain. To get there you have to drive around 10 miles up a bumpy dirt road, once off the main road. Low-clearance vehicles can make it but high clearance vehic...