Dan Moe

The hike to McNeil Point begins at Top Spur Trailhead, in the Mt. Hood National Wilderness. Follow signs for McNeil Point along the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails heading north. Though there are numerous camping opportunities along the way (most of the route follows the PCT), an old stone shelter greets backpackers at the Point itself, with stunning views of the sun setting over the Coast...

Cape Lookout is a two-mile long peninsula that juts into the Pacific Ocean from Oregon's rugged coastline. The park features more than 170 campsites, yurts, rustic cabins, and a day-use area, all located a short walk from the beach. There are roughly 10 miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate. The 2.6 mile trail to the tip of the Cape is the most scenic and offers views of migrating wha...

This long trail provides hikers with great views of the corridor in the Coast Range. As the trail follows public land for the most part, there are a couple sections with steady elevation gains to avoid private land: near Lees Camp and Ryan Creek. Although the trail receives some of the most rainfall in the state, it is open to hike during all seasons. Be sure to check trail conditions before h...

If you've set up camp at Perpetua Campground, head out toward the Cape Perpetua Visitors Center, head east along the Cooks Ridge Trail. After 3.75 miles and 1500ft elevation gain, head south and then west along the Cummins Creek Trail, eventually ending up at the ocean along Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint. Head back to the Visitor Center via the Oregon Coast Trail, which was once a wagon trail ...

Beginning at the Wahtum Lake trailhead, follow the Wahtum Lake Express trail down to the shore and head east (right) around the lake. At the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, follow the Herman Creek Trail to the east (right, again). You'll begin your ascent out of the Wahtum Lake bowl and towards the Wooly Horn Ridge. Shortly after the final trail junction, there is a well-marked user tra...

Camp at scenic and easily-accessible Forlorn Lakes, where the 25 campsites ($10/night) are both isolated and roomy. Sites have a picnic table and fire ring and provide access to the series of lakes, as well as the East Crater Trailhead which leads into the Indian Heaven Wilderness.Nearby, explore Guler Ice Cave, an exposed lava tube that is filled with ice formations for most of the year. A sho...

Looking to score those iconic photos of Mt. Hood? Climb the well-graded trail to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain, one of the most accessible summit hikes to Portlanders, and see where they were all taken. Starting from the busy Mirror Lake Trailhead, climb roughly 900 feet and 1.5 miles to Mirror Lake along one of the most popular and easily accessible trails in Oregon. There will be families, kid...

On a clear day, this short, secluded hike offers breath-taking views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Jefferson, as well as of downtown Portland, Coast Range, and the Roaring River Wilderness. Begin the hike from the Twin Springs Trailhead and immediately take your first left at the T. Follow the trail up and over a hill before crossing two saddles, one of which aff...

From the parking area, the Valley of the Giants trail crosses the Siletz River and passes a tranquil picnic spot before beginning a 1.3 miles loop trail through some of Oregon's oldest and largest Doug Fir trees. Many reach 500 years in age and heights exceeding 200 feet. In fall, vine maples explode with auto colors under a dense green canopy.The elevation gain is less than 690 feet, but there...

From the Rock Creek Pass Trailhead, begin the short hike to Three Corner Rock by heading south on the Pacific Crest Trail from its crossing of Road CG 2090. After a steady 1.5-mile climb of roughly 600 feet, look for a large fallen sign marking the junction to Three Corner Rock. Shortly after, another older sign invites Pacific Crest Trail hikers to a reliable spring and the trail ends at a jee...

This is a great option for a quick hike when you don't have time to get out of the city but need to satisfy your craving to get outside and escape the noise of bustling Portland. Follow Firelane 7 from the Springville Trailhead up towards Leif Erickson Drive and the Ridge Trail. There are signs and maps throughout the park that provide you with plenty of information to create a loop for yoursel...

The viewpoint is only footsteps from the parking area, and gives the best view of the 89-foot falls. A half mile trail leads visitors up to the upper viewpoint, right next to the falls. From there, Middle Tumalo Falls is around one and a quarter miles up the trail and Happy Valley is around three miles and a thousand feet up. Along the way, there are a dozen or so smaller waterfalls and scenic...