Wilson River Hike Tillamook

Wilson River Trail Tillamook State Forest

Wilson River Trail is a moderately relaxing hike along the Wilson River out and back trail located near Tillamook, Oregon that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. This part of the Wilson River Trail is really beautiful and the trail mostly follows the river. 

This section, at 3.5 miles, is the most popular section, owing to its ease of access, lack of big hills, and proximity to the river. The Jones Creek area has a campground nearby and a series of picnic sites along the first stretch of the trail.

After a third of a mile—some of which will certainly go into the river one day—you’ll reach a big bridge leading over to Tillamook Forest Center, which has exhibits about the forest and its history. The trail stays on the north side of the river, occasionally on roads, and after a mile swings away from the river a bit to cross Cedar Creek on a one-log bridge over a deep pool that looks like a good place for a dip. Soon after, you’ll climb for about 1 mile to pass the 100-foot Wilson Falls, which may seem overrated if it hasn’t rained lately.

Trail Head: Tillamook Forest, Jones Creek to Footbridge and back

Mileage: 7.5 miles

Elevation Gain: About 600ft

The last 1.5 miles of this section traces a fern-filled bowl, then makes a long, gradual descent to the trail over to Footbridge, which crosses the Wilson at a deep, placid pool in a small gorge.

The Wilson River Trail is a long trail broken into several sections, each with its own parking and trail-head, and for the most part, it’s easy and not crowded — as opposed to all the hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.

Wilson River Trails in Tillamook State Forest

·        Elk Creek to Kings Mountain

·        Kings Mountain to Jones Creek

·        Jones Creek to Footbridge

·        Footbridge to Keenig Creek

How To Reach : From Portland Take US 26 Highway, driving 20 miles west of I-405, then bear west on OR 6, following a sign for Tillamook. The trail-heads are all along the right side of the highway. For Elk Mountain, go 23 miles to Elk Creek Campground, just past milepost 28; the trail head is 100 yards past the campground. Kings Mountain Trail head is 3 miles farther along, just before milepost 25. Jones Creek is in a day-use area between mileposts 22 and 23; head for the campground, then turn left just after a bridge. Footbridge is a parking area on the right at milepost 20. For Keenig Creek, go 2 miles past Footbridge, turn right on Cedar Butte Road, cross the bridge, and go left onto Muesial Creek Road. The trailhead is 0.2 miles ahead, on the right.

Woodburn Tulip Festival

Oregon Woodburn Tulip Festival

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is to enjoy all things that make spring in the Northwest. We can stroll through 40 acres of Tulip gardens with stunning beauty of Mt hood view, experience expansive views of vineyards, distant mountains, and a few mud puddles. Fresh flowers, food, and fun for the entire family, including well behaved dogs on leashes!

There is nothing like the colors of our tulip fields in the spring backed by Mt. Hood and surrounded by fresh country air. Every year the varieties are arranged differently in a new pattern of color as we rotate our tulip fields to a new location.

Bring your family (including the dog!) and enjoy 40 acres of tulips. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase food onsite and make it a day-long event. Daily wine tasting available from our Wooden Shoe Vineyards, catch a bouncy ride on our famous cow trains, and so much more. 

Photographers Delight : Professional photographers and scrapbook aficionados alike will have endless opportunities for creating terrific pictures. Iconic landmarks including the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm’s windmill and pink tractor are great for any backdrop, with Mt. Hood an extraordinary addition – especially in the early-morning or early evening light.

Once a year, the large spaces of Wooden Shoe Farm on the suburb of the city of Woodburn, a city in Marion County, Oregon are covered with huge carpets of colorful tulips. Only 45 minutes from Portland and 30 minutes from Salem.

Address: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, 33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn, OR 97071

New River Gorge Bridge WV

Canyon Rim Visitor Center Lansing, West Virginia

The Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers a birds-eye-view of the New River and the New River Gorge Bridge. The visitor center features an exhibit room filled with photographs and exhibits on the people, towns, and industry of the gorge. Other displays focus on the recreation and natural history of the area. Visitors can enjoy two videos; on the construction of the New River Gorge Bridge, and on how the forces of nature created the massive V-shaped gorge. The auditorium provides visitors an orientation slide program on the park, and other special features and programs. 

The Bridge is completed in 1977, New Bridge is the world's longest single-arch steel span bridge. At 376 feet above the river it is America's 2nd highest bridge.

The most easily recognized attractions of the site are the views of the gorge and bridge. The back deck of the center offers a two-mile view southward into the park. Visitors discover the striking size of the gorge with one of the world's oldest rivers at the bottom. A short hiking trail descends into the gorge on a wooden boardwalk. The boardwalk has two observation decks which offer unobstructed views of the longest steel arch span in the western hemisphere and the mile wide gorge it spans. A fully accessible ramp provides access to the upper observation deck.

Located near the city of Fayetteville, the Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers a birds-eye-view of the New River and a modern engineering marvel, the New River Gorge Bridge. At the visitor center a boardwalk and stairs lead down to a viewing area, offering a fantastic view of the New River Gorge. The center also offers a trip back in time with local history and the story behind construction of the third-highest steel arch bridge in the United States. Appearing in the need of paint, the rusty looking bridge used Cor-Ten steel for the bridge. Imagine trying to paint a bridge that is almost 900 feet off the ground. This special steel alloy New River Gorge Bridge - From Fayette Station Rd, Lansing, West Virginia is protected by a layer of rust, saving a million dollars every time the bridge would have been painted.

New River Gorge National River :

The New River Gorge National River is a unit of the United States National Park Service designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. Established in 1978, the NPS-protected area stretches for 53 miles (85 km) from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted. New River Gorge is also home to some of the country's best whitewater rafting.

How To Reach : Canyon Rim Overlook Boardwalk is located on U.S. Route 19, just north of Fayetteville, WV. U.S. Route 19 is easily reached from Interstates I-64 and I-79, as well as U.S. Route 60.

Address: Canyon Rim Visitor Center, 162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing, WV 25862

Ramona Falls Loop Hike Oregon

Ramona Falls Loop Hike - Mount Hood Wilderness Oregon

The Ramona Falls Hike is a favorite summer destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to the gradual elevation gain, relative proximity to Portland, and its beautiful waterfalls.

Ramona Falls drops 120 feet, cascading and splitting into ever smaller fingers of water broken up by the hexagonal columns of basalt at the base of the cliff.  The trail is relatively easy for this region, but the 1100 feet of elevation gain could require plenty of rest stops for those not used to hiking in the mountains.

A road washout in the mid-1990s caused the trail head to be located 1.4 miles farther away at the Old Maid Sand Pit. The permanent bridge at the Sandy River Crossing was destroyed a few years later and, in 2014, a hiker was swept off the seasonal bridge and drowned by rapidly rising waters after a sudden storm.

·        Start point: Ramona Falls Trail head

·        End point: Ramona Falls

·        Distance: 7.1 miles round trip

·        Hike Type: Loop

·        Elevation gain: 1035 feet

·        High point: 3,470 feet

·        Difficulty: Moderate

·        Trail Location: Mount Hood Wilderness, Oregon.

Warning:  No Bridge to cross the Sandy River - use caution when crossing the logs.

The Forest Service has decided not to replace the bridge, so the crossing of the river, which you have to do going and coming, is now a ford or a careful balancing act on logs that change their position annually. Also, Ramona Falls became part of the Mt. Hood Wilderness in 2009, so consider this a hike into the back-country with all the attendant precautions. Wear proper footwear, carry emergency essentials in your pack, and turn back if there is a heavy rain. Do NOT attempt a crossing of the Sandy if the river is running fast, deep, and furiously.

Hike Description

Hike onward to the steep eroding bank of the Sandy River. The trail joins an alder-lined old road bed. Reach the bank of the river again, and then descend to the Sandy River Crossing. A bridge is no longer provided here, so you’ll need to pick one of the logs strewn across the spate or attempt a ford.

The trail picks up on the opposite bank and head up parallel to the river in shady woods. Come to the Pacific Crest - Sandy River Trail Junction, and go left. The trail soon reaches a footbridge over Ramona Creek and heads up the bank of the creek. At the well-signed Ramona Falls - Pacific Crest Trail PCT Junction, keep right and Continue, once reach the junction with the Timberline Trail, and stay right to admire Ramona Falls' splashing veil from the footbridge that spans the creek here.

How to Reach: From Portland, OR - turn north on Lolo Pass Road (Forest Road 18). Follow it four miles. Turn east (right) onto Forest Road 1825 and continue 0.6 miles, cross a bridge and then continue 1.7 miles to a road junction. Bear left at the junction onto Forest Road 1825-100 and drive 0.3 mile. Take a left onto Forest Road 1825-024 to a large open parking lot (0.2 mile) at the Ramona Falls trail-head.

Cape Horn Loop Hike

Cape Horn Loop Hike - Washington

The Cape Horn Trail is one of the closest Columbia River Gorge trails to the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. It features wide-ranging views up and down the river, rocky cliffs and crags, streams and a waterfall. The entire loop is made up of two segments separated by Highway 14; each are mostly single track, along with sections of trail that volunteers like WTA have helped transform from old road to Forest Service standards trail.

Take the first fork to the right (the upper trail) near the start of the trail. Cross a small creek on the Twain Bridge and begin the steepest climb of the entire loop under a canopy of big leaf maples, sword ferns and vine maples. You will reach the first overlook at the 1.2-mile mark after climbing about 800 feet. From there the trail ascends several steep switchbacks, then traverses west and south past scenic views of Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rock and the Gorge. In another 0.1-mile bear left on a short spur trail to Pioneer Point (with the Tipping Tree) with views to the southwest that include Angel’s Rest and Devil’s Rest.

Return to the main trail which now crosses a wide, wooded summit. The trail gradually descends and intersects an abandoned forest road. Bear left at this intersection. After .6 mile you will reach paved Strunk Road. Cross the road and follow a footpath left until you reach a wide gravel path. After .2 mile turn left at a signed intersection on a trail to the Nancy Russell Overlook. The overlook is a wonderful lunch spot with stone seating and spectacular gorge views.

·         Trail Head: Cape Horn Trail head

·         End point: Cigar Rock

·         Trail Log: Trail Log

·         Hike Type: Loop

·         Distance: 7.4 miles

·         Elevation gain: 1230 feet

·         High point: 1,300 feet

·         Difficulty: Moderate

·         Location : Washougal, Washington

If you want to continue on the loop, follow the trail markers and descend 1.2 miles via a series of switchbacks, crossing a creek over the Bootlegger Bridge, to a pedestrian underpass beneath Highway 14. Continue to follow the trail, taking short spurs to two lovely stone overlooks with expansive views. The first is Cape Horn Waterfall Overlook, the second Oak View Overlook. If the peregrine falcon closure is in effect, the trail will be closed just beyond Oak View Overlook.

Assuming the route is open, continue west and switchback downhill. The trail now veers east with occasional river views and a stunning view of Cigar Rock, pillars of basalt rising above the river. The trail climbs and falls in roller coaster fashion, through two moss-covered talus slopes, eventually arriving at a bridge in front of Cape Horn Falls. Sections of this part of the trail are narrow, steep and rocky so exercise caution. Hiking poles will be handy.

Continue to the east. The trail pops out of the woods at paved Cape Horn Road. Walk 1.3 miles gradually uphill, enjoying expansive views of cliffs and pastoral fields with goats and cows. Turn left at the trail sign. Use the new pedestrian underpass under Highway 14 to avoid crossing the busy road.

Nancy Russell Overlook : This viewpoint from a stone-walled amphitheater is high above the Highway 14 viaduct at Cape Horn. There are beautiful views to the east of the river and across the gorge to Multnomah Falls, Mist Falls, and directly down to Phoca Rock. The Prindle Cliffs, Beacon Rock, and the south face of Hamilton Mountain can be seen upriver on the Washington side.

How To Reach : The main parking area is the Skamania County Public Transit Park and Ride at the intersection of Salmon Falls Road and Highway 14. The clearly signed trail begins on the west side of Salmon Falls Road, opposite the Park and Ride lot.

Bald Mountain Hike Oregon

Bald Mountain Hike from Top Spur Trail Head 

The Bald Mountain hike begins at one of the more crowded Top Spur trail-heads, but quickly moves to the mountain. On a clear day At the summit of Bald Mountain, we can able to see the stunning view of Mount Hood.

Make a 2.4-mile loop out of Top Spur Trail #785, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Timberline Trail #600 to circle the upper reaches of Bald Mountain with killer views of Mt. Hood and the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River Valley in the south side of Bald Mountain. This hike, with its short distance and awesome view, is very popular hike on a clear day.

From the Top Spur Trail-head, climb through beautiful, old-growth noble fir forest for one-half mile before joining the Pacific Crest Trail (no. 2000). Turn right and immediately arrive at a confusing junction of four trails and Mount Hood Wilderness registration box. The trail to the right, and downhill, is the continuation of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) and is marked with a sign to Timberline Lodge. The route to the left is the northward section of the Timberline Trail (Trail No #600), with a sign to Cairn Basin. The trail straight ahead, and uphill, is the southbound section of the Timberline Trail (#600), with a sign to the Muddy Fork, and is the route to Bald Mountain.

·         Trail Head: Top Spur Trail head

·         End point: Bald Mountain

·         Trail Log: Trail Log

·         Distance: 2.4 miles round-trip

·         Elevation gain: 550 feet

·         High Point: 4,591 feet

·         Difficulty: Medium

·         Location : Mt. Hood Wilderness

From the registration box at the junction, continue on the Timberline Trail toward the Muddy Fork for about 450 feet, and then watch for an unsigned trail heading left and uphill, between two large trees. This is the historic Bald Mountain Trail. Follow this rustic path over a couple of logs as you climb parallel to the Timberline Trail, below. After a few hundred feet, switchback left, and soon reach the more open forest on the slopes of Bald Mountain. The tread is always obvious, though you'll step over a number of fallen logs that have accumulated over the decades since this trail was maintained.

Bald Mountain hike gives a great view of Mt. Hood and looking down into the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River. There are waterfalls visible where the Muddy Fork cascades down the steep slopes. There are also signs of landslides where the water pooled up behind an ice dam and then broke through, causing a "muddy" flow in the "sandy" soil - hence the name Muddy Fork of the Sandy River. This hike is Combine of Top Spur, Pacific Crest Trail PCT and Timberline Trail to circle Bald Mountain with a great view of Mt. Hood and Muddy Fork valley.

This trail is within the Mt. Hood Wilderness. A Northwest Forest Pass or other valid pass is required for your vehicle at the trailhead.

Top Spur Trail Head Directions:

From Sandy, OR - take US Hwy 26 east for 17.5 miles and turn left at E Lolo Pass Road (Forest Road 18) and travel 4 miles. Turn right at Forest Road 1825 and travel 0.7 mile. Continue straight onto Forest Road 1828 for 5.6 miles beyond turnoff to Riley Campground and Lost Creek Campground. Keep right at the fork and continue onto graveled Forest Road 1828-118.  Drive 1.6 miles to the trail-head on your right.