Hiking in the Goat Rocks: Snowgrass Flats – Goat Lake Loop

Have you heard the rumors that the Goat Rocks Wilderness in Southwest Washington is a popular spot for hiking? Believe them. And boy, are there reasons a-plenty! This loop is a classic hike of intense beauty and grandeur. Snowgrass Flat – Goat Lake Loop is 13-miles round trip and climbs a total of 1900 feet in elevation – […]

GO: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

If ever you have needed a heavy dose of scenery, this place will deliver. It’s one of the Oregon Coast’s top attractions for a number of reasons, and its rugged, beautiful scenery tops the list. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is over 2700 acres in size and sits just two miles south of the awesome […]

GO: Iceberg Point on Lopez Island

Location: Very southern tip of Lopez Island on the southwest side. Access is via nearby Agate Beach County Park, which has parking available. The solitude you’re likely to find on Iceberg Point says nothing about the beauty of the place, because if that were well known this gem would be crawling with people. As it is, Iceberg Point […]

A River Begins: Hike to Metolius Springs

How do rivers begin? Well, snowmelt from mountaintops gathers into little gullies that form streams. And then those join to feed bigger streams, that then flow into rivers. Right? The mighty Metolius River in Oregon defies this basic geology lesson. It literally springs out of the shadow of a mountain. The mountain is called Black […]

Walk Among Giants at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park

Towering old-growth Douglas Firs pierced the sky above. We felt as if we’d stepped into an ancient grove of trees. In fact, we had, but we could still see our car parked just off the highway a short distance away. You might call it “nature express.” Tourists wizz right past this spot every year on […]

HIKE: Three Beaches near La Push

There are three beaches in close proximity near La Push – First, Second and Third beaches. First Beach is a short jaunt from the Quileute Nation’s Oceanside Resort in La Push, and a popular gathering spot. Third Beach is 2.5 miles round trip through the woods (though the reward of solitude on the broad, sandy […]

HIKE: Multnomah Falls – Wahkeena Falls Loop

Multnomah Falls via sfgamchick on Flickr Creative Commons

The 620-foot Multnomah Falls is the highest of the 77 named waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Gorge. And here’s another fun fact about this geologic wonder–it’s the second highest continually-flowing waterfall in the country. The upper and lower falls that comprise Multnomah Falls are the first and most impressive cascades you will encounter […]

HIKE: Sunshine Coast Trail

When I was told about British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast Trail,  I was stunned. I work for a hiking organization in Washington state — how had I never heard of this incredible trek before, just a few hours to the north of the U.S. border? And so of course, I want to make sure you know all […]