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36 Hours in NW Oregon in early February
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Home › Forums › Campfire › Trip Planning › 36 Hours in NW Oregon in early February
- This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 1 month ago by
Jeffs Eleven.
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Jan 3, 2018 at 3:54 pm #3510631
Alrighty, friends! It appears I’m going to have about 36 hours between the end of a conference and departure for home back on the East Coast. I’m free roughly from noon on Thursday, 2/8 to late Friday night. I don’t know when I’ll get back to this area again, if at all, so given that, where could/should I go? And I have started looking at nwhiker.com so if there is a particular trail/link there let me know. Here are some parameters and thoughts, in no particular order:
- In between Cannon Beach and Portland preferred – less driving time the better; but if I can get within view of Mt. Hood easily and do some hiking there, that would be pretty cool; or, something along the Columbia River, perhaps?
- No snow-shoeing…don’t have them; also, would like to avoid needing spikes, too if possible – I know it’s winter and this limits me, but I’m just being realistic about what I can pack/bring
- Overnight is fine, either on the trail or from a base camp area; or, if there are 2 day hike in close proximity, I’m game
- Accessible – I’ll be in a rental car, not my truck
- Anything from moderate to challenging is fine, but I’d rather spend more time enjoying the trail and views than boulder climbing
- Want to join me? Awesome! Your knowledge and presence might save me hours of reading maps and second-guessing myself on the trail. I’ll be happy to buy you dinner and a beer Friday evening before we part ways
- Where, near Portland, can I get a shower and clean up before getting to airport? Trying to be kind to whoever sits near me
I’m sure there are a dozen other things I need to consider and such, but that should be enough to get the conversation started. Some of you know this area well, and I’m trusting in your guidance to help me maximize my time given the narrow window I have.
Thanks in advance for any and all help!
Jan 3, 2018 at 4:13 pm #3510636early February weather can be challenging, it rains here a lot
and the snow level can be down to sea level, maybe 1000 or 2000 feet elevation
west side of gorge is closed due to forest fire, east side can be good depending on weather, further east like Dog Mt. or Catherine Creek can be drier but it’s probably snowy, no good camping though
Deschutes River is a standby when it’s rainy everywhere else and it’s low elevation so likely no snow. You can camp along that trail and there’s a campground at the trailhead.
a website local to Portland is oregonhikers.org. Click on “field guide” for some specifics on trails
Jan 4, 2018 at 12:54 pm #3510813You will be driving right by Saddle Mtn in the Coast Range (great short hike), but it will likely be raining and stormy there. Suggest you stay at the coast, where you may find some breaks in the rain. It’s a nice walk from Pacific City along the beach both south (over the sand dune) and north. You’ll probably want a motel because of the weather.
Jan 4, 2018 at 2:19 pm #3510818Maybe the Oregon Coast Trail would be a good option for me? If I get an extra night where I’m staying I could use that as my base camp and just hike in that area.
Sounds like rainy, stormy weather is very likely.
Jan 4, 2018 at 3:40 pm #3510825The Oregon Coast Trail is not really a trail – connected from WA to CA. It’s more short sections connected with road walks.  http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PARKS/Pages/OCT_main.aspx has some good info.
There’s more rain and wind on the coast. Maybe have several possibilities to choose from when you start out
Jan 4, 2018 at 3:54 pm #3510826I live near the airport. You can shower and clean up at my house if you want. Assuming the timing works out but we can figure that out.
Also, my store rents snowshoes so if you needed some it wouldnt be too big of an issue.
Pm me if you want
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