r/OregonHiking

Yesterday, my brother and I were in the cascade east of Salem hiking. We encountered a momma blackbear and her cubs. Things were handled diplomatically and we were able to afford each other the space we preferred.

On the hike out though, we kept hearing what sounded like more black bears. a short 1/2 second calm, deep "roar"-like sound -- not aggressive by any means, just a call of some sort. At first I assumed it was just more blackbears. Having just heard the momma black bear, the sound was fresh in my mind. However, throughout the hike out, we kept hearing that same calls from maybe 5-8 locations all around us every 2-5min. The idea of that many blackbears in 1 sq mile seems very unlikely and I am not aware of any exchange-calling behavior in those solitary creatures.

Any thoughts on what we were hearing?

I have listened to videos covering blackbear sounds, deer and raccoon. Nothing fits perfect, but the blackbear growl/roar is still the best fit.

I was planning to do Timberline Trail loop Sept. 2nd (full loop as a long trail run). Afterward was going to stop by Smith Rock SP, Crater Lake, and drive back to Portland along the coast. My flight is non-refundable (going in/out of Portland) so would like to keep the trip, but recognize Timberline is iffy at this point (although a lot can change in 3 weeks). Any suggestions for ~40 mile loops (or 20 mile trails I can out-back) that would be have some good vistas I can use as a back-up. Someone suggested Columbia River Gorge, but looks like that will likely also be very bad air quality. Thanks for your help!

Hi Portland residents!

I’m currently in the midst of planning a trip to visit some friends in the portland/just outside portland area. I’ve never been, and im excited to check it out.

Before one of my friends moved we tried to plan a camping trip but to no avail. It’s super important to them, and I’d love to get a trip planned while im there for a week. I’m trying to find some nearby places and would love some recommendations.

Some limitations are transportation (I won’t have a car and neither will they) and gear/amenities. I have plenty of gear, I’ve been camping my whole life and I can pack for just about any conditions. They don’t have any, however, and we will definitely share mine but would be good to be in a place with a shelter, bivvy, and is not far from the trailhead at all. Even a car camping situation would be nice, just any way to get outdoors!

If anyone has recommendations for locations that can be ubered/bussed to from within the city, is easily accessible, and ideally cheap, that would be fantastic!

So I’ve been planning to do a trip to summit eagle cap and do the wallowa loop but obvious issue is fires and smoke. Fires seem much more contained. How do you guys think the conditions will be in that area. We have a backup trip planned but stubborn and want to see what the consensus is.

Curious what you guys think of this itinerary below. The focus is hiking and scenery (not really interested in anything else haha). Dates are October 14-18. The flight is booked, lodging is not yet.

Some notes- we are early birds and can be out of our hotel by 8am the latest. We are in good shape and can hike at a 2-4 mile/hour pace (depending on stops and inclines). We like to maximize the day and will hike until sunset, especially since the days are shorter by then. Finally, I'm a photography enthusiast. Not one of those that spends over an hour in one place trying to get the perfect shot, but I take a lot of pictures and might spend a few minutes on the long exposure shots for waterfalls (my wife gets slightly annoyed at times). That said, I'm curious about fall foliage. See my questions on Silver Falls below.

Day 1, arrive PDX at 10:15AM. Head towards Hood River. The list below are just stops unless hiking mentioned. Since most of them are stops, I think we can do them in a 6 hour period from say noon to 6pm.

-Latoural falls

-Wahkeena falls? OR Wahclella falls (2 mile hike)

-Multnomah falls

-Elowah and upper falls- 2.5 mile hike

-OR, Dry Creek Falls if there's time (instead of Elowah)- 4.5 mile hike

Night at Hood River

Day 1 ALTERNATE- go Towards Mt Hood and hike around and spend the night in that area. Best fall foliage hikes?

 

Day 2, drive towards Smith Rock SP with sights on the way

-Tamawamas falls- 3.5 mile hike

-Trillium Lake

-Crooked river area (a short 2-3 mile hike?),

-Smith Rock for sunset. Would like to focus on my photography here.

Overnight in or near Redmond

 

Day 3- Most of the day in Smith Rock State Park. Those Crooked river hikes outside of the park look pretty amazing though so might squeeze one of those in if there's time.

Overnight in or near Redmond

 

Day 4-

Drive to Silver Falls (2.5 hour drive) and spend the day there. Any stops/short hikes on the way or should we dedicate all non-driving time to hiking in Silver Falls (thinking 6-7 hours spent in the park)? This is would be another photography opportunity here. How's the fall foliage in mid-October?

We may have dinner with a friend in Corvallis which would add another hour of driving. Otherwise, we'll stay nearby.

Day 5- Head back to PDX, but flight is not until 3pm. Anything to do on the way or in Portland that would involve fall foliage?

Any feedback is much appreciated! Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’ve never been to Oregon. Next month is my 40th birthday and I’m planning a short weekend trip to Oregon 🤩 and both days I want to go hiking. I am a beginner hiker but I do anything for an amazing view. Can you guys recommend where to stay and where to stay and where to go hiking?

Hi I'm 30m and been wanting hike crater lake for sometime, and all my friends here in Canada have no interest in it, so I post here to find a hiking buddy. Or is totally fine to do solo?

I booked a cabin off Wallowa Lake for a week toward the end of August. I am not accustomed to the wildfire season, and it's hard online to gauge how bad the smoke is, the likelihood conditions will get better in the next two weeks, etc. Would you cancel at this point? What does "unhealthy" air feel like for a relatively healthy adult?

Curious if that would work as well as S to N?

1st timer here at 62 and thinking about it. Knowing it might be a later start, but also knowing that down south will be warmer at the end.

Just wondering if anyone else does it backwards?

Thanks!

My partner and I are flying in this Saturday and were planning on doing the following itinerary: Portland-->Still Creek Campground--> Mazama Campground--> Carter Lake Campground. Should we postpone our trip or is it still safe/feasible? Our concerns are the air quality, road closures, and not being able to find another campsite.

Edit: we will be camping outdoors the full duration of our trip (10 days) and hoping to hike everyday so air quality is important

What would others do? Got a site reserved at Hoodview … what are the chances of them fully refunding due to closures? If they aren’t closed, what are everyone’s thoughts for the smoke potential?

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Edit to add update from the Zigzag Ranger Station (as of 8/10 am):

If you’re coming from Portland, you won’t be impacted by road closures. The campgrounds on Timothy are all open, however, if you’re planning on paddling or being in the water they ask that everyone stay near the shore to make room for the water helicopters since they’re pulling water from the middle of the lake.

There are three new starts to the east of Timothy, but for now the winds are blowing it towards the reservation so air quality hasn’t been impacted—but potentially could be.

All trails around there are open.

The ranger said that if you’re planning on camping on Mt Hood right now that Timothy is one of the best/safest places to be.

The park host has radio, WiFi, etc. and is there to share any changes.

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I have a trip planned to backpack in the Three Sisters Wilderness next Thursday through Saturday, but the air quality forecast isn’t looking great. It looks like the best air in Oregon is along the coast, but I can’t find any loop trips in that area. Does anyone have any ideas of other trails that could work?