Something wonderful happened. After weeks of relentless winter Washington rain, the skies cleared and the sun burst through the clouds as if to say, “Hey you, come out and play.” Needing no further convincing I laced up my boots, leashed up the dog, gassed up the car and headed out to explore. Hiking in Beacon…
Mention the words “Columbia Gorge” to Pacific Northwest (PNW) locals, and they’ll almost certainly bring up Multnomah Falls, Vista House, Rowena Crest, or some of the other well-known points of interest on the Oregon side. Not to say these sites are not impressive or lacking in any appeal to visit, but a river does not…
If you’re hunting for a Columbia Gorge hike that’s a little different than the typical Gorge waterfall hike, Beacon Rock might be the fit for you. Located outside of Stevenson, Washington, the Beacon Rock hike sits on the North shore of the Columbia River, offering unparalleled views throughout the entire trek. Simple Hike, Huge Reward…
Skamania and Klickitat counties are known for their gorge-ous (pun intended) Columbia River Gorge views and a variety of outdoor recreation options. But did you know it’s also a fantastic area for locally made craft beer, cider and spirits? Read on for some of my favorites, including where to find great sour beers and family-friendly…
The Cape Horn Trail is a seven mile loop trail located on the less traveled Washington side of the stunning Columbia River Gorge. Located 20 miles east of Vancouver, the drive alone is worth a day out of town. The trailhead is accessible from a parking lot just off Highway 14 and is clearly marked….
The Ape Caves offer a unique outdoor dynamic that fascinates both avid hikers and families that are looking for a new experience. Its views are striking for locals and newcomers alike. As someone who has personally had the enjoyment of traveling and hiking across North America, the Ape Caves have been one of my favorite…
Johnston Ridge Observatory-Mount Saint Helens We reached the top of SR 504 at Johnston Ridge Observatory and saw what seemed to be an alien landscape. In the previous entries in this series, I talked about the surrounding forests and how the trees had been replanted. When you reach Johnston Ridge there aren’t any replanted forests….
Most folks who remember the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980 remember the monochrome photos of devastation; trees tossed like matchsticks and coated with gray ash, looking more like the surface of the Moon than the lush forests that lived on the mountain previously. Visiting The Mount Saint Helens Forest Learning Center Forests have…
Where were you when the mountain blew? If you’ve lived in Washington state very long, you have no doubt been asked this question. For those of us who lived here on that day 38 years ago (yes, it’s really been that long) we can answer that one easily. A major volcanic eruption tends to be the…
