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 […]

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 […]

Hoh River Trail (& Hall of Mosses)

Location: Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Washington Level: easy / Beginner Level: challenging Round trip/Gain: 5.8 miles/300-ish ft Type: round trip Permit: Olympic National Park entrance fee or America the Beautiful pass Brie and I arrived after about four hours of sleep and four hours of driving. I know how popular this place is and […]

Found

I was an indoor kid, a city kid, and I remained so into my adulthood. I didn’t even think about the outdoors. In the first six years I lived in Portland, Oregon, the most outdoorsy thing I ever did was drive up to the famous Multnomah Falls. Once. I struggled with PTSD, depression, self-hate and […]

Hike Trails, Get Money

I sort of hinted at this a couple of months ago, but it is finally official: REI got wind of me and I’ve been contracted to essentially keep doing what I do. They aren’t asking me to sell a product or be anything other than what I am, an unlikely outdoorsperson. For the next six […]