4-5 days in Oregon might not be enough for your mountain-seeking soul, but we’ll work with what we’ve got. From Portland, your options are endless. If you just want to see a mountain, you can hike up to Pittock Mansion through Forest Park and you’ll be able to see Mt. St. Helens, the tip of Mt. Adams, and a very prominent Mt. Hood.
But if you want to get closer, you can drive a short 45-minutes toward Mt. Hood on Highway 35. My favorite hikes with breathtaking views of Mt. Hood include:
- Zig-Zag Mountain via Burnt Lake Trail
- Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain
- Horseshoe Ridge Hike from Cast Creek Trailhead
- Bald Mountain from Top Spur Trailhead
- McNeil Point from Top Spur Trailhead
- Owl Point from Vista Ridge
- Zig-Zag Overlook from Timberline Lodge
- Timberline Lodge (by itself, it’s a great place to check out and there are plenty of trails around it)
- Eliot Moraine Hike (awesome glacier views)
- Bald Butte Hike from Oak Ridge Trailhead (hike to a former fire lookout site)
If it’s alpine lakes and waterfalls you’re interested in finding, here are my favorites:
- Timothy Lake
- Ramona Falls
- Tamanawas Falls
- Umbrella Falls Loop
- Twin Lakes Hike
- Little Zig-Zag Falls
- Frog Lake Buttes Loop Hike (loop from a scenic viewpoint down to a lake and back up to another lake)
- Boulder Lakes Hike
- Lookout Mountain Loop Hike
- Paradise Park from Ramona Falls (Challenging!)
…and that’s just the Mt. Hood side.
If you wanted to take a day hike through the Columbia River Gorge (45 minutes from downtown Portland), I’d recommend:
- Multnomah Falls (very popular)
- Eagle Creek Falls
- Munra Point
- Angels Rest
- Larch Mountain (my all-time favorite)
- Oneata Falls (bring a dry-bag, the water is cold)
- Rock of Ages Loop Hike
- Elowah Falls Hike
- Tunnel Falls Hike from Eagle Creek Trailhead
- Dry Creek Falls from Bridge of the God Trailhead in Cascade Locks
If you have any questions about any of these, I’m happy to help.
I hope you have the best trip to Oregon!
Thanks a lot,
Kristen
