I’ve been wanting to explore more of the rivers and rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula, so four friends and I rented a cabin on Hood Canal for a long weekend.
This strenuous loop hike starts at Angels Rest, continues to Devils Rest, then heads down to Wahkeena Spring before going back up to Angels Rest. We timed our hike for sunset and hiked out in the dark back to the trailhead.
This hike parallels the Little North Santiam River through a forest full of green moss and ferns. Water levels were high in the river and all of the tributary streams, so we didn’t go as far as we had planned.
This snowshoe starts at the new Mirror Lake trailhead and heads up gradual ascent to Mirror Lake. It was an overcast day and the white snow on Mount Hood made it barely visible against the clouds.
This hike in Forest Park starts at the NW Saltzman Road trailhead and loops via the Maple and Wildwood trails.
This loop hike in Forest Park starts at the Linnton trailhead and follows numerous trails, including parts of the Wildwood Trail.
I’m really enjoying hiking in the forests of the Gorge this winter! We started at the Herman Creek trailhead and took the Herman Bridge Trail to the PCT, then stopped for lunch at the Pinnacles before continuing to Dry Creek Falls and back.
Besides the well known paths that lead up Beacon Rock, Hamilton Mountain, and Hardy Ridge, Beacon Rock State Park contains additional trails that make creating hike loops of varying distances possible.
December is a great time to hike at Silver Falls State Park. The lodge and park entrance are all dressed up for the holidays, water levels are higher in the waterfalls, and there are far fewer crowds.
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