Becky Ohlsen has lived in Portland since 1995. She is a freelance writer and editor who has contributed to a variety of publications, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning newsweekly “Willamette Week,” “The Oregonian,” “Portland Monthly” and Lonely Planet, for which she has written several guidebooks about Scandinavia and the Pacific Northwest. She is also the author of new editions of “Backpacking Oregon,” “Best Tent Camping: Oregon,” and “One Night Wilderness: Portland,” all published by AdventureKEEN. Douglas Lorain moved with his family to the Pacific Northwest in 1969, and he has been obsessively hitting the trails of his home region ever since. Spurred by an unquenchable thirst for new trails to explore and a great enthusiasm for backpacking, he has now hiked more than 30,000 miles through every corner of the American Northwest and many thousands more in other western states and Canadian provinces. Despite a history that includes being bitten by a rattlesnake, being shot at by a hunter, being charged by grizzly bears (twice!), and donating gallons of blood to mosquitoes, Lorain claims that he wouldn’t trade one moment of it because he has also been blessed to see some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth. His books for Wilderness Press include “Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver,” “Backpacking Idaho,” “Backpacking Oregon,” “Backpacking Washington,” “Backpacking Wyoming,” “One Best Hike: Mount Rainier’s Wonderland Trail,” “One Night Wilderness: Portland,” and “Top Trails: Olympic National Park & Vicinity.” Lorain is a photographer and recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award. His photographs have appeared in numerous magazines, calendars, and books.

Acknowledgements

Preface

Summary of Featured Trips

Introduction

• Tips on Backpacking in the Pacific Northwest
• Safety
• Advice for the First-Time Backpacker
• Reintroducing Yourself to Backpacking
• Introducing Your Kids to Backpacking
• How to Use This Guide

Southeastern Olympic Mountains

• Duckabush River Trail
• Lake of the Angels
• Lena Lakes

Southern Mount Rainier and the Goat Rocks

• Goat Lake and Gobblers Knob
• Indian Henrys Hunting Ground and Pyramid Park
• Indian Bar and Cowlitz Park
• Dumbbell and Sand Lakes Loop
• Cispus Point
• Packwood Lake and Coyote Ridge Loop
• Heart Lake
• Snowgrass Flat Loop

Mount Saint Helens and Vicinity

• Dome Camp
• Goat Mountain and Green River Loop
• Mount Margaret Backcountry Lakes
• Lewis River Trail
• Quartz Creek
• Siouxon Creek

Mount Adams and Indian Heaven

• Dark Meadow via Jumbo Peak
• Foggy Flat and Avalanche Valley
• High Camp and Killen Creek
• Horseshoe Meadow and Crystal Lake
• Sunrise Camp
• Lemei and Blue Lakes Loop
• Lake Wapiki

Oregon Coast and Coast Range

• Tillamook Head
• Soapstone Lake

Columbia River Gorge

• Silver Star Mountain
• Soda Peaks Lake
• Herman Creek Trail
• North, Bear, and Warren Lakes
• Lower Deschutes River Canyon

Mount Hood and Vicinity

• Cairn Basin and Elk Cove
• Ramona Falls and Yocum Ridge
• Burnt Lake
• Cast Lake and Zigzag Mountain Loop
• Paradise Park
• Elk Meadows Loop
• Salmon River Trail
• Veda Lake
• Twin Lakes Loop
• Boulder Lake
• Lookout Mountain and Oval Lake
• Badger Creek

Clackamas River Country

• High Lake
• Shining Lake
• Shellrock and Serene Lakes Loop
• Pechuck Lookout
• Pansy and Twin Lakes
• Big Slide Lake
• Olallie Lake Scenic Area Loop

Mount Jefferson and Vicinity

• Firecamp Lakes
• Jefferson Park
• Pamelia and Shale Lakes Loop
• Carl Lake Loop
• Duffy and Santiam Lakes
• Three Fingered Jack Loop
• Washington Ponds and George Lake
• Cache Creek

Appendix A: More Short Backpacking Options

Appendix B: Recommended Reading

Appendix C: Conservation Organizations and Outdoor Clubs

Appendix D: Land Agencies and Information Sources

Index

About the Authors