What are your favorite breweries off Interstate 5?

You’ll be headed through some wonderful brewery country there. If you’re traveling F-Su, you might consider Agrarian Ales, an absolutely wonderful farmhouse brewery that uses local ingredients and has a lovely outdoor dining area with a great view of their hop fields. They’re just off I-5 north of Eugene.

Another great choice is Corvallis’ Block 15, which is literally one of the best breweries in the world–and one of the best six or eight in Oregon. Great brewpub downtown and a nice taproom a bit out of town that might be more convenient.

Those are my two recommendations — they’re where I’d stop if I were in your car. Remember to have a designated driver!

Is a wilderness trip in September doable in terms of weather, hunting season, etc.?

September is a great time to visit Oregon and explore the mountains! It’s definitely doable, but weather can be a huge question mark. Often, September is filled with warm, summer-like days and crisp, cool nights. However, it’s not uncommon to see snow falling in September, especially at higher elevations.

If you’re planning on day hikes, you will have plenty of options, even if we do get some early snow. You might just have to hike a little lower in the mountains. I’d suggest packing plenty of layers, as well as rain gear, so you’re prepared for anything. If you’re doing any overnight trips into the mountains, you’ll definitely want to prepare for any type of weather and check the forecast frequently as you get closer to your travel date.

Hunting is not allowed in the wilderness areas, and it’s usually not too much of a concern in the National Forest around Mt. Hood or in the Columbia River Gorge. You will definitely see hunters in more remote areas and further east. Wear bright colors and you’ll be fine.

We do have black bears in Oregon, but seeing them is somewhat rare and they are not usually aggressive. Usually by the time autumn rolls around, they’re too busy gorging themselves in preparation for winter. If you do see a bear, just give them lots of space.

Let me know if you have any additional questions or if you’d like any suggestions on where to hike/trek. September is one of my favorite months in Oregon!

Have a great trip.

What’s a beautiful place near Baker City where I can propose to my girlfriend?

What exciting news! Baker City is a pretty amazing place with a lot of beautiful vistas nearby, and even more if you have extra time to explore. The downtown area has some beautiful cityscapes, including in front of the historic Geiser Grand Hotel. There are some lovely valley views along the Elkhorns as you drive between Baker City and Haines. To the immediate east there is the Baker City Oregon Trail Interpretive Center that holds views of the Elkhorns and from a vantage just above the valley. The Powder River flowing next to Highway 7 toward Sumpter has some nice roadside spots as well. If you have time, Anthony Lakes would be a great spot with mountain views and lakeside beauty, but this would require a bit of travel depending which way you are passing through Baker City. Check out some trip reports from Travel Oregon here. Have a wonderful trip!

What are some dog-friendly parks near Canyonville?

Thanks for you question! Directly in Canyonville, there are several parks that are dog-friendly. Charles V Stanton Park is right off I-5 (hard to miss), and fairly large, but does get some freeway noise. If you take Tiller Trail Highway, however, you arrive at two smaller parks, Herberts Pond Park and Canyonville County Park (this one is right on the Umpqua, which is nice for dogs who like to swim). South of Canyonville, you can also find Canyon Creek Forest State Park, the largest by far. There are some walking trails in that park that would be a good bet.

We hike quite a bit out the Waterfall Highway (138), which you can connect to north of Canyonville at Roseburg, but most of these trails are short, leading to waterfalls, and may not be ideal for dogs.

Hope this helps! Enjoy the area!

Is there camping along Route 204 between Elgin and Tollgate?

Thanks for asking! There are a few campgrounds close to Highway 204 as you travel across the Blue Mountains. On the western side there is Camp Meadowwood Springs and as you move progressively east there is Woodward Campground near the summit and then further west Woodland Campground. A little further off the highway are two campgrounds, Target Meadows and Jubilee Lake Campground, with Jubilee being a local favorite that can be busy over summer weekends. You can find details about these campgrounds over at the US Forest Service here. Check out details about Elgin over at Travel Oregon here. Have a fun trip and stay!

What are the ultimate Oregon half-day, full-day and overnight backcountry hikes?

I definitely have some suggestions. Here are some of my favorite half-day, full-day and overnight backpacking hikes:

Half-Day Hikes

Tumalo Mountain (Bend, Central Oregon): Tumalo is about 4-miles round-trip. The trail up Tumalo starts from Dutchman Flat parking area on Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and offers a steady climb rewarded with alpine wildflowers and beautiful views of Broken Top, the Three Sisters and the Cascade volcanoes to the north.

Mt. Bachelor (Bend, Central Oregon): Mt. Bachelor is about 6-miles round-trip. The trail starts from just right of the ski lift. Park along the side of the road at the Sunrise Lodge entrance (the parking lot is closed and gated), then walk toward the ski lift and look for the trail to your right. It winds up through the trees and pops out above treeline. The rest of the trail picks its way over lava rock, but the it’s easy to follow and the rock offers decent footing (though be careful on the descent). It will take you up to the summit ski lift, then you can continue up to the true summit via several trail options through the scree. On a clear day, you can see south all the way to Mt. Shasta in California and north to Mt. Adams in Washington. All around, you’ll see the Cascade Lakes that speckle the wilderness around Central Oregon.

Bald Mountain on the west side of Mt. Hood: This is a gorgeous area with stunning views of Mt. Hood’s rugged west side and the Sandy Glacier. Keep an eye out for huckleberries along the trail! The moderate hike is about 6.5 miles round-trip.

Here are some other great hikes near Mt. Hood. Most of these could be a half-day to full-day hike.

Full-Day Hikes

Mt. Defiance in the Columbia River Gorge: It’s about 12-13 miles round-trip and gains about 5,000 in elevation. It is challenging for sure! However, you’re rewarded with amazing views of the Columbia River, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood (at the top), and it’s one of the less-crowded hikes in the Gorge. I’d recommend looping back via Warren Lake Trail and jumping in the lake if it’s hot outside, then taking the Starvation Cutoff Trail back down to the trailhead. Note: This hike is very steep! Step carefully, or better yet, carry trekking poles.

Paradise Park from Timberline Lodge (Mt. Hood): This hike is about 12 miles round-trip and offers spectacular views of Mt. Hood, wildflowers in August and dramatic vistas of Zigzag Canyon. You can loop back on the famed Pacific Crest Trail through beautiful forest (and shade!)

Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trail (Bend, Central Oregon): This moderate hike is extremely popular for good reason; you’ll have the best experience coming on a weekday. It gradually climbs along a tumbling creek into a basin between South Sister and Broken Top mountains, with several pristine blue/green lakes. Take a side trip to Moraine Lake (adds about 4 miles) or continue past the first two lakes you see to another one that’s definitely less crowded. Jump in and swim if you dare! Return via the Soda Creek trail, which is amazingly beautiful and for some reason sees WAY less traffic than Green Lakes Trail. It’s about 9 miles out-and-back to Green Lakes, and 12 if you return via Soda Creek.

Overnight Hikes

Any of the above full-day hikes could be make into overnight trips, especially Paradise and Green Lakes.

Matthieu Lakes (McKenzie Pass, Central Oregon): This is a relatively easy 6-mile out-and-back with plenty of camping, beautiful lakes, and great views. Drop your packs, and continue up the PCT as far as you want to go for ever expansive views of North Sister and other Cascade volcanoes.

Benson Lake & Tenas Lakes (McKenzie Pass, Central Oregon): This hike is about 6-8 miles out-and-back, including options to continue to about a mile to Tenas Lakes and climb up Mt. Scott for expansive views of the surrounding areas.

Camp Lake & Chambers Lakes (Three Sisters Wilderness, Central Oregon): This is a moderate 14-mile out-and-back trip to a pristine alpine lake nestled between Middle and South Sister. Camp here, and scramble over the moraine to the west to see more glacial lakes (called Chambers Lakes).  Or if you have an extra day, summit Middle Sister via the trail on the southeast ridge!

Are there places to paddleboard near McMinnville?

Good question! Depends on what you define as “near.” I know lots of  folks paddleboard on the Willamette River…which isn’t right in McMinnville, but isn’t that far away, either. There are multiple places to put in/take out on the Willamette. I know people paddleboard from Wallace Marine Park in Salem, which is maybe 30 minutes from McMinnville.

Another place you might try if you want a contained location with no current to contend with is Henry Hagg Lake. It’s especially good for paddleboarders because it’s divided into two sections, one of which is a “no-wake” zone where folks who want to paddle on non-motorized craft can do so safely. It’s about 40 minutes north of McMinnville.

I would suggest you talk to local paddle sports outfitters — they’ll probably be more than happy to give you the rundown on the best spots. Oregon City-based eNRG Kayaking is a reputable local business that does guided trips and rentals on the Willamette River and around the northern end of the Willamette Valley.

Good luck and happy paddling to you! I recently tried out paddleboarding myself for the first time and had a blast.

For kids that have never seen the ocean, what places should we visit?

The Oregon Coast is 363 miles of family friendly, but there are some great stops known for being kid-rrific. The town of Seaside is one of Oregon’s first beach resort towns and it is still known as one of the best family destinations in the Pacific Northwest. There is a lot of family friendly shopping, dining and attractions including a large arcade, bumper cars, go-carts, miniature golf and much more. Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is a great place to explore the natural environment with kids. At its base are colorful tide pools and it is nesting ground to many varieties of birds including Tufted Puffins during the spring and summer.

Newport is also a fun destination for families. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a great experience and Newport’s historic bay front is a fun mix of shops, restaurants and tourist attractions like Ripley’s Believe it or Not and a wax museum. Sea lions are usually barking up a storm and can be seen on the bay front docks. Yaquina Head is another great place for marine life watching and to explore tidepools. Beverly Beach State Park is a nice campground with beach access and is close to these attractions.

In Florence, the Sea Lion Caves is also a good option though the best viewing in the cave is usually during the winter or other stormy times. When the sea lions are not in the cave, they can usually be seen from viewing areas on the rocky shore below. If you have time to go further south, the Oregon Dunes is a great family recreation area. You can take a dune buggy tour, try sand boarding or just tumble and slide down the towering dunes. Honeyman State Park is a great family place to camp, combining the dunes with nature trails and freshwater lakes where you can rent canoes or paddleboats.

Another great family campground is Sunset Bay State Park near Coos Bay. It is adjacent to a pretty cove beach that is more calm and protected than some beaches that are less suited to wading or playing at ocean’s edge. There are two other state parks within minutes that offer great views including an overlook at Simpson Reef, one of the best places to see (and hear) seals and sea lions in their natural environment. The town of Bandon has a wildlife safari attraction with exotic animals and further south near Port Orford is a unique roadside attraction known as Prehistoric Gardens, a rainforest trail with life-size dinosaur statues.

Brush up on beach safety before your trip and happy exploring!

Are there campsites near the Painted Hills with restrooms?

Sounds like a really fun trip! The Painted Hills are one of my favorite places in Oregon, with a landscape that is both majestic and a little surreal when the sunlight hits it just right. One of the best campgrounds near the Painted Hills is the Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, located between John Day and Mount Vernon right along the cool waters of the John Day River. This campground has both restrooms and hot showers available, and it has easy access for vehicles. The Mitchell City Park nearby also has restrooms but is in the town itself. To the west of the Painted Hills there is camping at Ochoco Divide that has restrooms and easy car access as well. The majority of other campgrounds in the area are considered primitive with less amenities.

The option for campfires in most places in Central and Eastern Oregon in August will be dependent on the posted level of fire danger, which at that time of year is likely to be high. Also keep in mind that many campgrounds in the region are already reserved for events surrounding the eclipse in later August, so try and beat the crowds by planning your trip early.

Information for the State Recreation Site is available here. Information for the Ochoco Divide Campground is available here. The National Park Service also has some helpful information about camping, information about the Painted Hills, and other services here.

 

What’s the best hiking trail near Madras?

I suggest the 7-mile Tam-a-láu Trail loop hike near Lake Billy Chinook. It features a mile-long climb to the top of a lava plateau called the Peninsula, which separates the Deschutes River and Crooked River arms of Lake Billy Chinook. Hikers are treated to bird’s-eye views of the reservoir and the dramatic cliffs and plateaus that line the water. The hike starts at the Cove Palisades State Park Upper Deschutes Trailhead. Enjoy!