Low effort/high reward Portland spring hike
April 27, 2008 4:38 PM Subscribe
Moderate hike for next weekend with 1-2 hours of Portland, OR?
I am going to be in Portland, OR for a long weekend next weekend and I am looking for some low effort/high reward hikes within 1-2 hours of the city in any direction. Looking for such a hike because I am taking a friend who is a little out of shape and has no snow gear. Ideally it would be somewhere between 3-6 miles round trip. If it takes in some kind of view of Mt Hood or one of the other volcanoes that would be a nice bonus (of course I know that's weather/clouds permitting). I am aware there may still be a lot of snow in some places if we head east and that might limit the options in that direction.
I am going to be in Portland, OR for a long weekend next weekend and I am looking for some low effort/high reward hikes within 1-2 hours of the city in any direction. Looking for such a hike because I am taking a friend who is a little out of shape and has no snow gear. Ideally it would be somewhere between 3-6 miles round trip. If it takes in some kind of view of Mt Hood or one of the other volcanoes that would be a nice bonus (of course I know that's weather/clouds permitting). I am aware there may still be a lot of snow in some places if we head east and that might limit the options in that direction.
Falls Creek Falls is fabulous. I'm unsure whether it's still gated this year, though. There is a contact number in the link.
If it's open, you should go there! There is (or was last time I went) a $5 tag needed for parking at the trailhead/day use fee, and we bought it at the main store in Carson. It's totally worth it. Most Gorge hikes have the day fee anyway.
If you're coming from Portland, you can cross over to the Washington side at Vancouver and take Hwy 14 - that way you avoid the tolls on the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks.
posted by peep at 6:32 PM on April 27, 2008
If it's open, you should go there! There is (or was last time I went) a $5 tag needed for parking at the trailhead/day use fee, and we bought it at the main store in Carson. It's totally worth it. Most Gorge hikes have the day fee anyway.
If you're coming from Portland, you can cross over to the Washington side at Vancouver and take Hwy 14 - that way you avoid the tolls on the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks.
posted by peep at 6:32 PM on April 27, 2008
Forest Park is located at the NW corner of the city and has many trails suitable for easy hikes. No extra gear is needed (besides comfortable shoes and water). There are some hikes located off HW26 towards the beach as well, with large parking areas and water in the turn-offs.
posted by tmt at 6:43 PM on April 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by tmt at 6:43 PM on April 27, 2008 [1 favorite]
I've always enjoyed Angel's Rest for a moderate hike. It's not too far out in the Gorge, so you may not have to deal with snow.
posted by otolith at 7:41 PM on April 27, 2008
posted by otolith at 7:41 PM on April 27, 2008
Hike to the top of Multnomah Falls.
Head out I-84 and take the only left-exit between Portland and the Idaho border. The halves of the highway diverge, and there's a big parking lot between them. (That's why the left exit). There's a pedestrian tunnel under the eastbound side which lets you walk to the bottom of the waterfall. Continue on that path, about a mile (and about 600 foot of rise) and you can go to a lookout point just at the top of the falls. It's an amazing view. If you lean out a bit, you can see all the way to the bottom.
There are well-maintained trails that continue from there, if you want to walk further. Maps are available at the lodge.
Multnomah Falls is the second tallest waterfall in North America.
posted by Class Goat at 8:02 PM on April 27, 2008
Head out I-84 and take the only left-exit between Portland and the Idaho border. The halves of the highway diverge, and there's a big parking lot between them. (That's why the left exit). There's a pedestrian tunnel under the eastbound side which lets you walk to the bottom of the waterfall. Continue on that path, about a mile (and about 600 foot of rise) and you can go to a lookout point just at the top of the falls. It's an amazing view. If you lean out a bit, you can see all the way to the bottom.
There are well-maintained trails that continue from there, if you want to walk further. Maps are available at the lodge.
Multnomah Falls is the second tallest waterfall in North America.
posted by Class Goat at 8:02 PM on April 27, 2008
By the way, it might well rain, but there won't be any snow there. Not high enough.
As to mountain views, you can't see Mt. Hood from there, but if weather is clear you can see Mt. Adams, and I think you can also see Mt. St. Helens.
posted by Class Goat at 8:07 PM on April 27, 2008
As to mountain views, you can't see Mt. Hood from there, but if weather is clear you can see Mt. Adams, and I think you can also see Mt. St. Helens.
posted by Class Goat at 8:07 PM on April 27, 2008
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Also, the lovely people over at the Portland Hiking Forum are bound to have better suggestions.
posted by halogen at 5:21 PM on April 27, 2008