One Night Wilderness: Portland. Douglas Lorain

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      I still take my share of long backpacking trips, but now that I am barreling headlong into middle age, nursing two long-suffering knees, and have a life that includes myriad other commitments, I am forced to put limits on my youthful ambitions. And I am not alone. Many of my fellow baby boomers no longer have the time, the energy, or the inclination to take the kinds of long backcountry adventures that they tackled in their youth. Instead, we seek out short mini-vacations (usually on weekends) to places where we can escape the rat race for a night or two, refresh our spirits, and then return to our busy lives with enough fond memories to sustain us until our next wilderness foray—always, so we fervently hope, not too far in the future.

      Most of us are parents now, determined to drag our children away from the pervasive influence of video games and inane television fiction into the outdoors where they can experience the beautiful “real” world of nature. We do not, however, want that introduction to be so grueling that it will cause tired young legs to reject backpacking for the rest of their lives. Once again, short one-night hikes are what we seek, the kinds of relatively easy trips that get the kids excited about the outdoors, but don’t cause too many sore muscles or painful blisters.

      This book is designed with you in mind. The bookstore shelves are already filled with numerous dayhiking guides. I wrote one or two, and a few of the others are pretty good. But these volumes do not address the unique needs of the backpacker. Hikers looking for overnight adventures are forced to wade through dozens of trips that are unsuitable for backpacking in order to find the few that meet their needs. In addition, these guidebooks rarely provide the kind of information that is most useful to backpackers, such as specifically where to find the best campsites, the location of the nearest water source, or what overnight permits are required. All of these concerns are addressed here.

      Since this book includes only the Portland area’s best short backpacking options, it is not a comprehensive guide to all of the region’s hundreds of overnight hiking possibilities. (See Appendix A, for a more thorough listing.) It does, however, present a wide selection of outings, including a range of scenery and difficulty levels, so hikers of all abilities and interests will find plenty of trips to meet their needs.

Tips on Backpacking in the Pacific Northwest

      Although this is more of a “where to go” book than a “how to” guide, it may be helpful, especially for those who are new to our area, to cover a few basic tips and ideas specific to backcountry travel in the Pacific Northwest.

      GET THE RIGHT PERMITS: Most national forests in our region require that a Northwest Forest Pass be displayed in the windows of all vehicles parked within 0.25 mile of any major, developed trailhead. Isolated trailheads with minimal or no facilities are generally exempt. In 2008 daily permits were $5 and an annual pass was $30. The passes are available at ranger stations and at many local sporting goods stores, or they can be purchased online at www.naturenw.org/store-passes.htm.

      CHECK THE SNOWPACK: The winter snowpack has a significant effect, not only on when a trail opens, but also on wildflower blooming times, peak stream flows, and how long seasonal water sources will be available. It is a good idea to check the snowpack on or about April 1 (the usual seasonal maximum), and make a note of how it compares to normal.

      This information is available online at www.wa.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/ for Washington state and www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/ for Oregon. If the snowpack is significantly above or below average, adjust the trip’s seasonal recommendations accordingly.

      WATCH OUT FOR LOGGING TRUCKS: When driving on forest roads in our area, keep a wary eye out for log trucks, especially on weekdays. These scary behemoths often barrel along with little regard for those annoying speed bumps known as passenger cars.

      CHECK TRAIL CONDITIONS: The Northwest’s frequently severe winter storms create annual problems for trail crews. Occasionally trails are washed out for years, but at a minimum, early-season hikers should expect to crawl over deadfall and search for routes around slides and flooded riverside trails. Depending on current funding and the trail’s popularity, maintenance may not be completed until several weeks after a trail is snow-free and officially “open.” Unfortunately, this means that trail maintenance is often done well after the optimal time to visit. On the positive side, trails are usually less crowded before the maintenance has been completed.

      LEAF IT, DON’T LEAVE IT: For environmentally conscious backpackers, one good solution to the old problem of how to dispose of toilet paper is to find a natural alternative. Two excellent options are the large, soft leaves of thimbleberry at lower elevations, and the light-green lichen that hangs from trees at higher elevations. They’re not exactly Charmin soft, but they get the job done.

      WARN HUNTERS YOU’RE NOT A DEER: General deer-hunting season in Oregon and Washington runs from the second or third weekend of October to early November. For safety, anyone planning to travel on national or state forest land during these periods (particularly those doing any cross-country travel) should carry and wear a bright red or orange cap, vest, pack, or other conspicuous article of clothing. Hunting is not allowed in state or national parks, so this precaution does not apply to those areas.

      YOU’RE NOT AN ELK, EITHER: Along the same line as the above, elk-hunting season is generally held in late October or early November. The exact season varies in different parts of each state.

      BE CAREFUL WITH FUNGI: Mushrooms are a Northwest backcountry delicacy. Although our damp climate makes it possible to find mushrooms in any season, late August through November is usually best. Where and when the mushrooms can be found varies with elevation, precipitation, and other factors. Unfortunately, mushroom collecting has become a big and very competitive business in our region, and a few people have even been murdered in recent years in disputes over prize locations. Make sure any commercial collectors you meet are aware that you are only gathering a few mushrooms for personal use. Also make absolutely sure that you know your fungi. There are several poisonous species of mushrooms in our forests, and every year people become ill or even die when they make a mistake in identification.

      BRING THE BEATER: Car break-ins and vandalism, sadly, are regular occurrences at trailheads. This is especially true at popular trailheads and is a particular problem for backpackers who leave their vehicles unattended overnight. Thus, hikers need to take reasonable precautions. Do not encourage the criminals by providing unnecessary temptation. Preferably, leave the new car at home and drive to the trailhead in an older, beat-up vehicle. Even more importantly, leave nothing of value inside, especially in plain sight. My car has been broken into three times over the years. The last two times all the thieves managed to take home were some ratty old tennis shoes, to which they were welcome. If all trailhead vehicles held only items of similar value, the criminals would soon give up and seek out more lucrative targets.

      North Lake, Columbia River Gorge (Trip 34)

The 10 Essentials

      Except when hiking on gentle trails in city parks, hikers should always carry a pack with certain essential items. The standard “10 Essentials” have evolved from a list of individual items to functional systems that will help to keep you alive and reasonably comfortable in emergency situations:

1.	Navigation: topographic map and a compass or GPS device.
2.	Sun protection: sunglasses and sunscreen, especially in the mountains.
3.	Insulation: extra clothing СКАЧАТЬ В начало < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > В конец