Pacific Northwest Hiking

A forum that'll feed your need for exploring the limitless adventure possibilities found in "other" places. Post trip reports or ask questions about outdoor adventures beyond the Sierra Nevada here.
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trav867
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Pacific Northwest Hiking

Post by trav867 »

I'm moving from LA to Portland next week (got a job with the fire dept!) and was wondering if anyone could give me a run down of the area backpacking/hiking-wise. I know there are lots of parks and wilderness areas in the northwest but I don't know a thing about them. I'm already missing the Sierra but I know plenty of new adventures await me in the Cascades! (and maybe the rockies too!)
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Timberline
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Re: Pacific Northwest Hiking

Post by Timberline »

Hey trav,
Congratulations on the new job! =D> Portland is a very user-friendly city, & I'm sure you'll find a lot to like there. Ditto the wilderness. Having lived in Oregon for 25+ years, I got to see some of it, but didn't nearly deplete the possibilities for backpacking/hiking. Here are some simple suggestions for openers that you can pursue further:

Cascades: anywhere along the PCT is worth a close look. These are friendly mtns, if just a little too clostrophobic with the dense timber. To deal with that, I always headed for the high peaks, all volcanoes along the crest. My favorites were Mt Jeff(erson) up close, from Pamelia or Marion Lakes; Three Fingered Jack's Canyon Creek Meadows in wildflower season, and anywhere in the Three Sisters region, especially Green Lakes. The lakes have an openness that suggests the Sierra without losing their Cascades feel. (btw- - don't forget to check out Mt Adams, St Helens, and Rainier in Washington either).

2. Eagle Cap Wilderness: the Wallowa Mtns, yes! Wild, gorgeous, remote and intimate, this small range packs an enormous variety of options for its size. For a first look, take the gondola to Mt Howard from Wallowa Lake (a jewel of a glacial lake; look for ospreys & their nests at the inlets); I think you'll be impressed. Lostine Canyon offers a grand entrance to the heart of the range, there are sizeable scenic lakes in the southern portion, and the east side entrances, grand in themselves, almost pale in comparison to what lies a little further east in Idaho. When you're here, think of them as the "lobby" of the Rockies.

3. Other possibilities: the Elk Range: a small but high ridge-crest just west of Baker that gives rise to the storied John Day River headwaters. Oregon's gold rush country and some nice destinations are here. Further west and downstream in the drainage is the Strawberry Wilderness, another small but precious alpine island amid the high desert. South into that desert is Steens Mtn, with a fantastic view across the alkali basins to the east, and the lands of the mighty MC Ranch, a real western legend.

It pays to remember to be weather conscious, especially in the Cascades, at any time of year. I spent a miserable, wet 4th of July at Wasco Lake holed up in the tent in a downpour. East side is drier, but still unpredictable in the high country.

I'm sure others will chime in here to help you (Old Ranger, where are ya?) and you're gonna find some wonderful times ahead. Happy trails! :nod:
Let 'er Buck! Back in Oregon again!
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oldranger
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Re: Pacific Northwest Hiking

Post by oldranger »

Trav

Another set of congrats! Portland is a great base and a good place to live. Timberline named my favorites so I don't have a bunch to add. Mosquitos and flies seem to be much worse than in the Sierra for longer. I don't generally do overnight trips except when there is snow on the ground or after the third weekend in August. Green lakes is pretty much as close to sierra feeling in the cascades and the Eagle Cap Wilderness is truly spectacular. The North Cascades in Washington are as rugged as mountains get with off trail bushwacks that make the worst in the Sierra seem like childs play. For all that the NW has to offer my heart remains in the Sierra!

Mike
Mike

Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
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Timberline
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Re: Pacific Northwest Hiking

Post by Timberline »

oldranger wrote:Trav

For all that the NW has to offer my heart remains in the Sierra!

Mike
Here, Here! \:D/
Let 'er Buck! Back in Oregon again!
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