kimp

Planning trip mid Sept for 8 days. Flying into PDX. Outdoor lovers! We like to hike, not into spending the whole time in the car, but don't mind scenic drives to hiking/biking points. Would it be to much to try to make loop from PDX to gorge, bend, then the coast? Any don't miss views, hikes? Being on a trail, watching wildlife or by the water is main focus. I've read so much I'm spinning! Help!

Travelkitty

Don't have any suggestions, but am interested in what you finally decide since I'd like to do a similar trip next year.

Orcas

I don't think you have time to throw in Bend. Bend is four hours from Portland and six from the coast. You don't need to go there. The best hiking will be in the Gorge and at Mt. Hood, which are much closer.

I'd suggest the Mt. Hood loop, in two days, then the coast.

You can go on some trails in the Gorge, visit the Salmon ladders. Stay the night. The next day go around Mt. Hood, hike and return to Portland. Then go to the coast. There are also beautiful hikes there, but Mt. Hood is quite the peak and there is nothing like it at the coast.

curmudgeon

For me, Crater Lake is probably the most scenic point in Oregon, with various sections of the coast next. Given that, with 8 days, I'd probably head from PDX over the Mt Hood highway, stopping for some hiking. Maybe head to Maupin for rafting on the Deschutes river (may not be enough water in Sept, though); otherwise head on to Bend. Lots of outdoor options around Bend for a day, then head down to Crater Lake. From there you can head to the coast, and have several days to work your way back to Portland. You may not want to do that much driving in 8 days; scope it out with one of the online maps.

kimamom

Don't miss spending some in Cannon Beach, take the short walk from the parking lot at Ecola to Indian Beach, fantastic scenery here with stunning views. Have fun! ***kim***

Kay2

We just made our first trip to Columbia River Gorge and Mt Hood.

Although the gorge was scenic, it seemed more for driving and short walks to waterfalls than drives to hikes where you would see wildlife. We drove along the historic highway and stopped at the scenic views. The river and gorge were very pretty. Then we chose 3 waterfall trails to park at and hike either up/back or in a loop. Because the hikes start from the highway and go up the bluffs, we often could still hear the traffic throughout much of the hikes unless we got back in another gorge or a waterfall drowned out the noise. Only wildlife we saw was a chipmunk. The waterfalls were very pretty. The popular ones were packed even past 5pm on a Saturday. I think what I liked most about the area was the history of the Oregon Trail.

Next day we drove up to Mount Hood and parked at the lodge as I wanted to see Timberline. It was nice, but not as dramatic as some of the other national park lodges (in our opinion). We always enjoy seeing a mountain and the clouds kept moving, giving us peeks at the peak all day. We took a trail toward Zigzag Overlook, but there was still a lot of snow when we were there so going was slow and we had two barely hikers with us, so we didn't get as far as we would have liked. But everyone had a good time seeing the mountain and the skiers, playing in the snow, looking at the wildflowers. No one else was on the trail on a Sunday. We drove into Government Camp and ate some good pizza, burgers, and salads at the family restaurant facing the main street on the lower level of a 3-story building that faces sort of an open square on the north side of the street.

Our overall impression was that we hikers would like to go back to Mount Hood to explore lower trails in the national forest or the higher trails after more snow melt. We didn't like it as well as Mt Rainier, but any mountain is nice in our opinion. We are glad we went to the gorge, but we think once is enough and we are glad we didn't do it instead of hiking at Hood or Rainier.

leeam

Hi, we just got back yesterday from Oregon and absolutely loved it there! We went to Mt. Hood (great views/trails there) Hood River and then took the Columbia River Gorge back to Portland. Two beautiful waterfalls on the way back where hiking was great-Horstail and Multnomah-two prettiest waterfalls we saw in 9 days. Then we headed to Crater Lake after 4 days in Portland (we loved Portland!) that was gorgeous and up the Coast to Cannon Beach. We stopped in Yachats,Florence,Newport/Nye Beach, ,Depoe Bay,Cannon Beach - along this whole way there were plenty of places to stop for hiking, scenic views, tidal pool exploration etc. We did not go to Bend as did not interest us. Saw many seals/sea lions by Coos Bay and Newport. You will have terrific food there (especially if you like seafood!) Have fun, I plan on going back within the year!!

kimp

We want to spend some time at the coast, but now are thinking about doing drive thru the gorge, not spending days, go to Mt Hood for a day or two, then on to Sister's for three days. I have read today that they have the best hiking/biking there & we would only be a couple hours from Crater. Then shoot back to Portland/coast for a couple days. Any thoughts on Sister's area?

If you had one place to visit again in Oregon, where would it be?

happytrailstoyou

If you had one place to visit again in Oregon, where would it be?

My favorite places in Oregon are Cannon Beach and environs, Cape Perpetua, and Hood River.

My favorite drives are Highway 101, OR-38 along the Umpqua River, OR-35 (driving south for views of Mt. Hood), and WA-14 driving west from Maryhill for views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge.

suze

I've not been yet but Crater Lake looks astounding.

I enjoy Cannon Beach, and Mary's Peak if you happen to be passing by.

kimamom

We took a nice drive yesterday from Seaside to Pacific City. Gorgeous scenery, we made stops at Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Oceanside and Pacific City where we watched the surf competitions for awhile. Netarts was a cool place, there were pelicans everywhere here which were cool to watch and photograph. ***kim***

kimp

In Manzanta did you hike at all? We are looking at Neahkahnie & Cape Falcon around Oswald, they sound really nice. Have you been to Cascade Head Nature Conservancy @ Lincoln Head? Is it worth the trip?

sunbum1944

I live in Oregon and I dont know that I have a favorite place - there are so many!!
I love the Metolius area/ Camp Sherman - its close to Sisters-
If you are a hiker the Sisters/Bend area is great for hiking-
Sisters is a charming little town - I think I like Bend better but they both have their charm
If you'd like some hiking suggestions in that area, let me know.

beachbum

We've been vacationing at Black Butte Ranch, which is near Sisters, the Metolius and Camp Sherman, for years, and it is truly one of my favorite places on the planet. Just spectacular scenery, and some great hiking.

As for Cascade Head, the view south from there might be the best on the coast. But the hike from the trail head at 101 is a long one, maybe 8 miles +/- roundtrip. You can shorten it by picking up the trail just uphill from the Riverhouse in Cascade Head Ranch.

kimp

Hey all, bums! Thanks. I've been thinking about the Sisters area! Yes I would like some hike ideas there. I'm really changing my complete way of thinking on this trip. What do you think of this idea?

Portland to coast for 2 days. Drive to Sisters for 3 days to Mt Hood/Gorge for 2 days? Is that enough time at each place?

Shopping, spending time "in a town" isn't as important as good trail, good food, and decent place to lay our heads.

sunbum1944

Canyon Creek Meadows is a nice hike and trailhead not far from Sisters - there was a big forest fire there a few years ago so still kind of charred - but beautiful once you get into the meadow

You might like doing a hike at Smith Rock - thats more of a drive because its close to Redmond - but its world famous for rock climbing -there is a flat area along the river but more difficult hike options available -

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_51.php


A hike that I have not done but I hear is great is the Tam Macarther Rim trail -

Bill Sullivan is the local hiking guru who has written many books on the area - if you can get one of his books, there are great suggestions too with maps

Kal

Couldn't you just kiss all of those helpful Ore 'bums?

kimamom

No, we didn't hike at Manzanita, we did enjoy a nice alfresco lunch at Manzanita Seafood and Chowder House, great salmon here and yummy clam chowder. ***kim***

beachbum

I second the other bum's suggestion of Canyon Creek Meadows, in spite of the forest fire a few years back. Adds a kind of surrealness to that part of the hike. And once in the meadows, it's beautiful. If you're up for it, take the trail all the way to the ridge below the peak of Three Fingered Jack. Incredible views....

We also particularly like the Tam McArthur Rim hike. Pretty dramatic scenery there too.

Kal..... ummm.... I'd better not! :-"

And nice to see you enjoying your stay in our fair state, kimamom. I've been to Seafood & Chowder House a few times too. Not too many other choices in Manzanita. But just FYI.... When we eat outside around here we usually call it a picnic. Or camping. "Alfresco" is a dead giveaway that you're a tourist.

beachbum

Ooops! Didn't respond to your new plan, kimp. Given what you like to do, I'd say it's fine. But, I think most agree that the coastline is Oregon's best feature. So, if you haven't been before, you might regret short-changing that part of the itinerary.