One Night Wilderness: Portland

This comprehensive guide presents 64 one- or two-night backpacking trips, plus more than 40 bonus trips, within three hours of Portland, Oregon

Choose Your Backpacking Adventure Near Portland, Oregon

Spend a night or a weekend in the wilderness, and experience the mountains, coast, old-growth forest, gorges, and canyonlands of Oregon and Washington. One Night Wilderness: Portland helps you choose from a full spectrum of one- and two-night backpacking trips within three hours of Portland. Acclaimed local author Becky Ohlsen and award-winning author Douglas Lorain present 64 featured trips, plus more than 40 bonus trips—from short and easy hikes to extended trips of 20 miles.

Explore the Columbia River Gorge, Coast Range, Clackamas River country, Mount Jefferson, and southern Olympic Mountains. Take in the majestic views of the Pacific Northwest’s signature volcanic peaks: Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Rainier. The new edition of this popular guide includes all the information you need, including detailed trail descriptions, directions to backcountry campsites, 65 easy-to-follow maps, permit requirements, and more.

Expert author ratings for each trip’s scenery, difficulty, and solitude—along with indications as to which trips are great for kids or are dog-friendly—help in finding the perfect adventures for your specific needs. Plus, first-time backpackers will appreciate the authors’ candid advice on getting started, and parents will enjoy the tips for introducing children to this healthy, inexpensive outdoor activity.

The Portland area is a short jaunt from boundless backpacking opportunities. This comprehensive guide can lead you away from the city hubbub for a night or two of rejuvenation in nature.

Acknowledgements

Preface

Summary of Featured Trips

Introduction

• Tips on Backpacking in the Pacific Northwest
• Safety
• Advice for the First-Time Backpacker
• Reintroducing Yourself to Backpacking
• Introducing Your Kids to Backpacking
• How to Use This Guide

Southeastern Olympic Mountains

• Duckabush River Trail
• Lake of the Angels
• Lena Lakes

Southern Mount Rainier and the Goat Rocks

• Goat Lake and Gobblers Knob
• Indian Henrys Hunting Ground and Pyramid Park
• Indian Bar and Cowlitz Park
• Dumbbell and Sand Lakes Loop
• Cispus Point
• Packwood Lake and Coyote Ridge Loop
• Heart Lake
• Snowgrass Flat Loop

Mount Saint Helens and Vicinity

• Dome Camp
• Goat Mountain and Green River Loop
• Mount Margaret Backcountry Lakes
• Lewis River Trail
• Quartz Creek
• Siouxon Creek

Mount Adams and Indian Heaven

• Dark Meadow via Jumbo Peak
• Foggy Flat and Avalanche Valley
• High Camp and Killen Creek
• Horseshoe Meadow and Crystal Lake
• Sunrise Camp
• Lemei and Blue Lakes Loop
• Lake Wapiki

Oregon Coast and Coast Range

• Tillamook Head
• Soapstone Lake

Columbia River Gorge

• Silver Star Mountain
• Soda Peaks Lake
• Herman Creek Trail
• North, Bear, and Warren Lakes
• Lower Deschutes River Canyon

Mount Hood and Vicinity

• Cairn Basin and Elk Cove
• Ramona Falls and Yocum Ridge
• Burnt Lake
• Cast Lake and Zigzag Mountain Loop
• Paradise Park
• Elk Meadows Loop
• Salmon River Trail
• Veda Lake
• Twin Lakes Loop
• Boulder Lake
• Lookout Mountain and Oval Lake
• Badger Creek

Clackamas River Country

• High Lake
• Shining Lake
• Shellrock and Serene Lakes Loop
• Pechuck Lookout
• Pansy and Twin Lakes
• Big Slide Lake
• Olallie Lake Scenic Area Loop

Mount Jefferson and Vicinity

• Pyramid Lake
• Firecamp Lakes
• Jefferson Park
• Pamelia and Shale Lakes Loop
• Carl Lake Loop
• Duffy and Santiam Lakes
• Three Fingered Jack Loop
• Washington Ponds and George Lake
• Cache Creek

Appendix A: More Short Backpacking Options

Appendix B: Recommended Reading

Appendix C: Conservation Organizations and Outdoor Clubs

Appendix D: Land Agencies and Information Sources

Index

About the Authors