OR-Ok to hike alone?
 

Hello. I'm planning a 2-3 week trip to Oregon (my first to the Northwest) and will be traveling alone. I very much wish to hike, but common sense says otherwise.

Are there any safe areas in Oregon to hike alone? If not, are there outdoor groups/organizations that lead small hikes anywhere in the state?

Many thanks.

I would check with the nature centers.

Are you a woman or man? I live in Washington (and have lived in Oregon) and I love to hike alone, but since I'm a woman I always go with my German shepherd, a cell phone, and pepper spray.

In the past, when I have hiked in National parks where I can't bring my dog, I check in and out at the nature centers. However, there have been some recent problems for women hiking alone in National parks, so if I don't have my husband or a friend with me, I stick to places I can go with my dog.

So, it depends. If you're a man, I'd just do as islandmom suggested and not worry about it.

Check out the Mazamas at
http://www.mazamas.org/
I heard a lot about them when we lived in Portland, but never went on one of their hikes. They offer hundreds of hikes a year, for members and nonmembers, alike, at all skill levels and they can surely point you in the right direction.
I think you'd really need to know the trails to know where you could safely hike alone. There is lots of wilderness and there are lots of wet, narrow trails with steep edges. It is beautiful country, just be careful!

I got interested and returned to the Mazama website. Check out this page:
http://www.mazamas.org/hiking/walking_groups.php
It includes info on a number of hiking/walking groups in the Portland area. Sounds like there are a lot of opportunities to hike and meet people with similar interests, as well. Have a blast!

20 years ago, I would have said fine, go on your own. But I wouldn't recommend it now. Gocats2002 makes an excellent suggestion. Also check with the Audubon Society and the local bird shops (Backyard Birds, Wild Birds, etc.) as they also organize hikes (with a focus on birdwatching). We went on a few of those and they were very interesting.

There are many well used, popular trails (Silver Creek, Gorge area) that a woman alone would be fine on. I am hesitant to recommend to someone that all trails are fine but if I felt ok about it when I got there then I would just do it alone. If it didn't feel good in my gut I would go someplace else. Personally, as a woman I would probably feel fine further from civilization than closer but almost all trails would probably be ok for me.

The cell phone is a good idea, and don't forget a whistle too. I would lend you my puppy but he wouldn't be a very good guard dog - yet (if ever!).

If you are a man, don't worry about it.

Thank you (to everyone) for the great advice. I'm a woman, but I don't want to miss out on the Oregon hiking experience because of safety reasons alone. I'll definitely look into the groups mentioned (thank you, gocats2002, for the web address for Mazamas!) and invest in some pepper spray and a cell phone. :)

I live in Portland and frequently hike alone without pepper spray or a dog and I have never felt threatened. In the Gorge there are many well used trails that are safe. Email me if you would like to know my favorite hikes in this area. It is beautiful!