I want to go hiking in the mountains

January 24, 2016 7:45 AM

I want to go on a week-long hiking/camping trip somewhere in the vicinity of Washington, Oregon, or Colorado, with maybe a few days rest afterward to enjoy a nearby city. I'm vaguely familiar with the Portland area, having visited once before but haven't spent much time in good hiking areas otherwise. I live in the Midwest. Can you recommend companies / packages that would make this easy and fun? Specifics inside.

I have some limited camping experience. I am physically fit but not really an expert at hiking. I don't know anyone who is into hiking who would travel with me, so I'd be going alone. Hiking and camping for a week alone sounds like it wouldn't be very fun, so I was hoping to join a group, ideally no larger than 10-12 people. Another thing -- I wouldn't want to get paired up with a group of mostly couples. As a single guy I think it would be more fun to do this hiking experience with some other individuals or in a healthy mix.

I've heard of "adventure" companies that do this sort of thing but I don't know of any in the area or how to go about planning this kind of trip. Could you give me some recommendations?

Thanks!

posted by deathpanels to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

You should check out the Sierra Club's Extended Tours and Treks. I've never been on one (East Coaster) but I've been drooling over them for years. They do fill up fast though. I'm not sure if you're interested in day hikes from a base camp, or a backpacking trip, or something else.

FWIW, I've gone hiking for a week "by myself" and I never felt particularly lonely - if you're on a popular trail and hiking at a normal pace, you will see the same people at the campsites (or huts, but I don't think those are very common in the western US) and lunch spots every day, and you'll be all "how far are you planning on going tomorrow?" and "did you see that $animal up by the thingummy?" and stuff like that. But backpacking is definitely easier in a group, since you have to carry your tent and your stove and things whether you're one person or four.
posted by mskyle at 8:20 AM on January 24, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Mazamas is the grand-daddy of hiking orgs in Oregon. They don't have their 2016 trips up yet though. They also might be able to point you to other groups and professional guides if you emailed them.

I don't have any personal experience with Pisgah Adventures but their previous trips looked neat. (nothing up yet for 2016.)
posted by vespabelle at 9:30 AM on January 24, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: REI offers trips like that.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:38 AM on January 24, 2016

http://www.wta.org/volunteer/volunteering/vacations

The WTA are some good folks.
posted by stowaway at 9:39 AM on January 24, 2016

Check Oregonhikers.org

There's another one, can't think of the name. "NW hikers" or something.
posted by Rich Smorgasbord at 8:51 PM on January 24, 2016