Skip to main contentBike: Historic Columbia Highway
Pedal peacefully through the Gorge without dodging traffic.
Two sections of wide, paved trail (5.2 miles from Moffett Creek to Cascade Locks and 4.6 miles from Hood River to Mosier) that pass waterfalls, tall trees and the 350-foot Mosier Twin Tunnels, built in 1921.
Three dollars to park at the Hood River section.
HCRH State Trail. (PG)
Camp: Alder Flat
Tell folks you wandered off to camp next to a mountain stream in an old-growth forest; you don't have to mention you were 20 minutes from the car and brought your cooler and grill.
An easy one-mile walk to six free tent sites along the Clackamas River.
Whatever you feel like carrying for a mile.
Alder Flat Clackamas. (PG)
Climb: Broughton Bluff
A wealth of rock routes, ranging from bouldering in the Magma Zone to the three-pitch, 5.9-plus-rated Gandalf's Grip.
According to getbeta.com, "Lots of Trad, some multi pitch, a couple of top rope routes. Huge amounts of routes and good rock."
Rope, helmet, climbing shoes and somebody who knows what getbeta.com is talking about.
Broughton Bluff climbing. (PG)
Climb: Carver Bridge Quarry
The property owner lets people access this former quarry because, so far, everybody has played nice. Sign a waiver at Portland Rock Gym, pay the $8 fee, and tackle routes like Rubicon, Rites of Passage and Notorious.
Fifty-seven rope routes (most from 5.9 to 5.12) and more than 100 bouldering problems.
Rope, helmet and your best land-use etiquette.
Carver Quarry climbing. (PG)
Ski/Board: Mount Hood
Get there before the glacier melts.
Summer shred-heads migrate to the Palmer snowfield to butter their pipe moves or rock their gate transitions. The 11,249-foot mountain is where Shaun White spent many of his summers. Climbers frequent the peak, but it's tougher than it looks. Don't die.
Twin-tip skis, snowboards and locator unit.
Mount Hood summer. (BC)
Drive: Hood River Loop
From blossoms in April to apples in October, bliss out on wholesome munchies, family fun and spectacular views at 32 locations around the Hood River Valley.
To have a big, stupid grin on your face as you binge on strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, apricots, peaches, wine....
Wallet, Loop map, appetite.
Hood River Fruit Loop. (PG)
Fish: North Umpqua River
Because the fish are out there, begging to be caught. Because people come from all over the world to chase steelhead, trout and salmon on this blue-ribbon river, where 34 of 100 miles are designated Wild and Scenic.
Canyons, waterfalls, deep forest and overlapping runs of salmon and steelhead.
Rod, reel, patience and a guide.
North Umpqua River. (PG)
Hike: Eagle Creek
Because every time you turn a corner on this National Recreation Trail, you see another waterfall, another narrow canyon, another pleasant site of some sort. Put in two easy miles to Punchbowl Falls, 14 to Wahtum Lake, or anything in between, and you'll enjoy every bit of it.
Some high cliffs (with railings) and on summer weekends several throngs of hikers.
Good boots, water, $5 for parking, a leash for Fido, acceptance of others.
Eagle Creek trail Oregon. (PG)
Hike: Multnomah Falls
Because it's the biggest damn waterfall in the state! Also, because the trails in the area can be challenging, magnificent and sometimes not even crowded. Go a paved mile (and 600 feet up) to the top of the falls, put in the five-mile loop that includes Wahkeena Falls, or tromp seven miles to the top of Larch Mountain.
A million tourists, a breakfast buffet in the lodge, espresso, ice cream.
Water, map, camera, cappuccino.
Multnomah Falls trail. (PG)
Lake: Lake Harriet
To see where PGE stores water for its Oak Grove Hydroelectric Project.
A beautiful, 22-acre reservoir stocked with trout. At the head of the lake sits a 10-site campground.
Fishing pole, tent, PGE uniform.
Lake Harriet Oregon. (NS)
Bike: Pioneer Bridle Trail
Oregon law "requires" residents to ride their bikes once a year.
As you ride from Government Camp to Rhododendron, you'll encounter dirt and rock tread and at one point you'll have to cross Highway 26.
Bike, water bottle and a crossing guard.
Pioneer Bridle trail. (NS)
Look: Bonneville Dam
Your satellite dish isn't picking up Fish TV.
Nearly 4,000 fish swimming up one of the two ladders built for counting and natural migration assistance.
Camera, kids, fish net.
Bonneville fish ladder. (NS)
Lake: Timothy Lake
Because your mom asked you to go play outside.
1,500 acres of lake, 200 campsites and an incredible view of Mount Hood. The perfect place to camp, hike, fish, canoe or windsurf.
Picnic basket, tent and a pair of water wings.
Timothy Lake Oregon. (NS)
Kite: Hood River
Give that old dinosaur of a kite in the garage the ride of its life.
Serious, kick-ass wind. One of the world's best sites for wind sports. Kiteboarding and windsurfing schools abound. Hundreds of multicolored sails float through water and sky. Otherworldly views from the Full Sail Brewery's deck.
An old-fashioned kite, a windbreaker and time to browse the Saturday market and Full Sail beer selection.
Hood River marina. (LK)
Lake: Hideaway Lake
Fish and snooze while no one's watching.
A remote, high-elevation wonderland. Cast-off point for dozens of heavenly fishing spots. Nine lakeside campsites. Waterfalls within driving distance.
Bait, tackle, your favorite rod, a picnic blanket and a full-brimmed hat.
Hideaway Lake Oregon. (LK)
Soak: Breitenbush Hot Springs
Meditate with naked people in a geothermal pool.
Mineral-rich hot springs surrounded by the Cascades. Oregon's premier natural destination for spiritual refuge. Nearby resort and retreat with extensive course offerings in holistic and New Age disciplines, 20 miles of trails, lots of nude hippies.
Bathing suit (though clothing is optional), hiking sandals and your chi (to harness).
Breitenbush hot springs. (LK)
Play: Timber Park Disc Golf
Play Frisbee golf like the pros.
Tournament-quality course. Wooded atmosphere with plenty of elevation changes. Good mix of open and tight holes. People who take this game very seriously.
Tie-dyed collared shirt, a strong caddie and a six-pack for the 19th hole.
Timber Park Disc Golf, PDGA. (LK)
Soak: Pansy Lake
Because pansy lakes have feelings, too.
Colorful flora, hungry mosquitoes and a pond passing itself off as a lake. Even though Pansy Lake is indeed pansy, it sits in a breathtaking glacial cirque—surrounded by a semicircle of steep bluffs and cliffs.
Water bottle, motivational quotes, bug repellent.
Pansy Lake. (KSC)
Hike: Timberline Trail
Mount Kailash is too far away.
Four to five days circumnavigating Mount Hood, an 11,235-foot dormant volcano. The trail is a 40.7-mile loop with 9,000 feet of elevation change, spot ridges, glaciers, streams, falls, alpine meadows and ski lifts.
Tent, sleeping bag, food, sunscreen, brandy.
Timberline Trail Mt. Hood (KSC).
Soak: Bagby Hot Springs
Rustic tranquility meets spa fantastic.
Absolute relaxation as your body absorbs mineral-rich water pouring into your cedar tub at up to 136 degrees. Though it's rustic, you can choose fro five private covered tub areas, or five more public covered tubs.
Towels, snacks and a spare tire for your car.
Bagby Hot Springs. (WB)
WWeek 2015