All the Things I Didn’t Say in 2017

2017 – place yourself directly in the trash Every Day Was Bad News. If you survived 2017 with a modicum of good mental health, my hat’s off to you. If you tragically asked me at any point, “how are you?” I’m sorry. My blank, wide blinking eyes and mouth trying to fix itself into words […]

Hamilton Mountain

Location: near Stevenson, Washington. Couldn’t find original land name(s). Ancestral home to the Chinook and Multnomah Tribes Photo blog! This was an exceptionally gorgeous fall day. Trail stats, info and more photos can be found here.

Great Falls

Location: Great Falls National Park in McLean, Virginia. Ancestral home to the Patawomeck, Tutelo, Saponi, Shawnee, Ohio Valley tribes & likely more. Level: moderate Round trip/Gain: 4ish miles/less than 200 feet Type: loop Permit: $10 park fee I just had to see Great Falls before I left town and I went literally hours before I […]

Eagle Rock

Location: Warner Springs, California Level: moderate Round trip/Gain: 6.6 miles/900ish ft. Type: out-and-back Permit: n/a There are so many things I loved about this trail. 1) It feels good hiking in/around San Diego. It’s adding so much dimension to the place I grew up in. Being a tourist in your hometown can be a good […]

Saddle Mountain

Location: near Seaside, Oregon Level: moderate Round trip/Gain: 5.2 miles/1600 ft Type: out-and-back Permit: n/a One maaaaajorly notable thing: TRAFFIC. I left Portland at 8am, and the traffic was stop-and-go there and back for many miles. I think I spent about 4.5 hours in the car round trip. If you’re in or around Portland, it’s […]

Falls Creek Falls

Location: near Carson, Washington Permit: Northwest Forest Pass Option 1 Level: easy to falls / Beginner Level: challenging Round trip/Gain: 3.4 miles/650 ft Type: round trip Option 2 Level: moderate to top of falls Round trip/Gain: 6.3 miles/1150 ft Type: loop My mind is a little blown by this trail. I’ve been out there three […]

Pacific Crest Trail at Timberline Lodge

Location: Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon Level: easy to Zig Zag Canyon / Beginner Level: doable Round trip/Gain: 4.4 miles/500 ft Type: round trip Permit: n/a True story: this was my first time at the Timberline Lodge in my fourteen years of living in Portland. I’d driven up there a few times for the view, […]

Johnston Ridge Observatory

Location: Johnston Ridge Observatory, Mount St. Helens, Washington Permit: Johnston Ridge Observatory entry fee ($8). One free entry with NW Forest Pass Option 1 to viewpoint Level: easy Beginner Level: doable Round trip/Gain: 3.8 miles/400ft Type: round trip Option 2 to Harry’s Ridge Level: moderate Round trip/Gain: 8 miles/1000ft Type: round trip That first view […]

Enchanted Valley Trail to Pony Bridge

Location: Quinault, Olympic National Park, Washington Level: easy / Beginner Level: challenging Round trip/Gain: 5 miles/500ft Type: round trip Permit: Olympic National Park entrance fee or America the Beautiful pass I guess all trails in ONP are big backpacking trails and I’m super bummed that another summer has gone by where I couldn’t get my […]

Ozette Triangle / Cape Alava Loop

Location: Olympic National Park, Washington Level: Moderate Round trip/Gain: 9.2 miles/100ft Type: Loop Permit: Olympic National Park entrance fee or America the Beautiful pass This trail is so cool! It’s a perfect triangle 3x3x3 (& some change) miles. 6 miles of boardwalk trail through forest and meadows and a sandy, rocky ocean-side stretch. It’s mostly flat, […]