Portland/Seattle area Hiking
May 19, 2008, 8:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: East Coast, USA.
Posts: 25
Portland/Seattle area Hiking
Can anyone give any recommendations for mountains or hikes that are particularly worthwhile between Seattle and Portland? I'm in decent shape so the more challenging the better, although I do not engage in technical climbs so something like summiting Mt. Hood or Rainier would be outside my range.
Probably looking at a time in Late June - Early August.
Probably looking at a time in Late June - Early August.
May 20, 2008, 3:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,784
Check some of the hiking sites like http://www.summitpost.org and http://www.cohp.org, as they can give you some good beta. Mt. Daniel is a nice, loooong hike about an hour or so out of Seattle that doesn't require much in the way of technical skill. Mt. Adams and St. Helens also offer some fairly challenging, but non-technical climbs that can be done in a long day. Olympus is also fun if you don't mind a 2-3 day trek over easy snow.
Be forewarned, however, that above 3000 or 4000', there will be a tonne of snow until mid-June. Rainier and Hood aren't that bad, btw, particularly Hood.
Be forewarned, however, that above 3000 or 4000', there will be a tonne of snow until mid-June. Rainier and Hood aren't that bad, btw, particularly Hood.
May 23, 2008, 12:46 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA*G, UA 1MM
Posts: 1,277
You can also try Washington Trail association: http://www.wta.org/
The options are too numerous to list. A personal favorite area of mine between Portland and Seattle is around Mt. St. Helens. There are some amazing hikes down there!
Ranier is that bad - it's a serious technical climb. I've never done Hood, so I cannot give you any experience there.
brendog is right - it was a big snow year, so if you come in late June, stuff over 4000 feet is going to be very iffy with snow. The good stuff at St. Helens, in particular will still be under snow in late June.
Right now we are still hitting snow around 2700 feet. August will be best. Do some web searching for ranger contacts and call before you head out for anything.
The options are too numerous to list. A personal favorite area of mine between Portland and Seattle is around Mt. St. Helens. There are some amazing hikes down there!
Ranier is that bad - it's a serious technical climb. I've never done Hood, so I cannot give you any experience there.
brendog is right - it was a big snow year, so if you come in late June, stuff over 4000 feet is going to be very iffy with snow. The good stuff at St. Helens, in particular will still be under snow in late June.
Right now we are still hitting snow around 2700 feet. August will be best. Do some web searching for ranger contacts and call before you head out for anything.
May 23, 2008, 8:58 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: East Coast, USA.
Posts: 25
Thanks. I didn't realize the snow would be that bad in late June. I'll push my trip back to August then. I detest hiking on snow after almost seeing someone die on a snow covered mountain so I'll definitely have to wait. Do you think the snow will be gone by mid-late July?
May 23, 2008, 9:00 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,449
Snow may or may not be gone. Where exactly are you planning on hiking.
The Manning guides are excellent. I would highly recommend them.
The Manning guides are excellent. I would highly recommend them.
May 23, 2008, 9:12 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: East Coast, USA.
Posts: 25
Most likely concentrated around the Seattle area. I'd probably want a drive no more than an hour or so outside the city. Does that still give me plenty of options? I know virtually nothing about the area.
May 30, 2008, 8:47 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA*G, UA 1MM
Posts: 1,277
Here is another good link for you:
http://www.nwsource.com/outdoors/hiking/
If you have specific questions on routes, post them.
May 31, 2008, 6:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Oregon (DL and Marr Lifetime plat. etc.)
Posts: 1,273
Not too far East of PDX in the Columbia Gorge, there are several very scenic hikes along creeks (e.g. Eagle) and past waterfalls (e.g. Multnomah Falls). These can be as long or short as you like.
Jul 27, 2015, 1:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW/STL
Programs: AA EXP, AA Admirals Club, Marriott PLT Premier, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 762
Seattle/Portland locals - what are some of your favorite hikes? Tying to plan a similar trip as the OP in a few weekends. Thinking 2 days in Seattle, driving south & 2 days in Portland. I am planning on a day in the Co River Gorge.
Jul 27, 2015, 1:33 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP
Posts: 1,171
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasona...mountain-trail
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/rattle-snake-ledge