Where Lewis and Clark First Saw the Pacific
About the Hike: Far from being disappointed, Lewis and Clark celebrated when the first sighted the Pacific Ocean from Cape Disappointment, a dramatic headland on the Washington side of the Columbia River. Those explorers had trekked over 2,000 miles across the continent.
Today the trail up the headland is still inspiring, but the hike is much shorter. It also features several added attractions - a lighthouse, an artillery bunker, and a museum.
Here's a dramatic whale-watching headland jutting into the Pacific Ocean.
This wild, foggy headland north of Lincoln City won its name because cascades pour off its cliffs into the ocean. The trails to wildflower meadows here also have views of craggy islands, the Salmon River estuary, and a cove of barking sea lions.
About the Hike: Three trailheads access the meadow viewpoints on this huge headland -- a lower Natural Conservancy trailhead that's open all year and two Forest Service trailheads that close from January to mid-July to protect wildlife.
Oregon Coast charters offer fresh fish and a fresh experience
One of the most exciting things you can do while visiting the Oregon Coast is see it from the ocean.
From whale-watching tours to 3-day tuna fishing excursions, there are many trips, companies and times to take a charter from one of the ports on the coast. The trick is finding the charter that is right for you.
10755 Cooper Spur Road | Mt. Hood, OR | 503.352.7803
Terrain: 4,500-foot top elevation, 500-foot vertical drop
Lifts: one double, three surface.
Nordic: The Mount Hood National Forest's Tilly Jane trail system begins nearby
Highlights: There is a new 3,000-square-foot day lodge, a replacement for the building, which has two floors, including a full kitchen, plus a lower-level maintenance shop.
At a base elevation of 6,300 feet, Mt. Bachelor, located just outside of Bend in Central Oregon, offers a 3,365 vertical foot drop, 3,683 skiable acres, 71 runs and averages 370 inches of its famous dry snow each year. It has a beginner program and several fun runs for those just starting out as well as lots of really fun activities like tubing and snowshoeing.
This climb to the central peak of the Alp-like Wallowa Mountains is not for the timid.
About the Hike: Eight valleys radiate from 9,572-foot Eagle Cap, the rock hub of the Wallowa Mountains. Although Eagle Cap is not quite the tallest peak in this range, its 360-degree view is unmatched, and a surprisingly well-graded trail climbs to the summit from the East Lostine River's meadows.
These routes in and around Portland vary in difficulty and offer something for everyone in the family
Portland has been voted one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in United States by Bicycling Magazine since 1995. There are many great rides in and around Portland. Here are five in different sections of the city with varying degrees of difficulty.
These directions are meant to get you started, but we suggest you obtain more detailed maps. Mileage is approximate.
Oregon's most photographed lighthouse stands at the tip of a scenic, forested cape
About the Hike: Two easy trails climb through the coastal woods to this spectacular lighthouse and the allegedly haunted lighthouse keepers' house nearby.
Difficulty: Two easy trails lead to the lighthouse, a 0.5-mile path from the state park and a 1.3-mile Oregon Coast Trail segment from the north.
Season: Open all year, but the Oregon Coast Trail section is slippery in wet weather.
Begin in Bandon's Old Town, follow the beach past craggy islands in the surf, and then return along city streets atop the seashore cliffs.
