Waterfalls near Portland: Columbia River Gorge and Gifford Pinchot National Forest

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Matt Brielmaier
First Ever Larch March: Maple Pass

Trail Details Below

“One of the best hikes in Washington” for a reason. Our first attempt was a huge success. We only passed a few groups of people and the views were amazing from start to finish. The larches were out and the micro spikes and trekking poles were essential.

Trail: Maple Pass

Location: North Cascades

Distance: 7 miles, optional add-ons

Elevation: 2500 ish

Features: Mountain Views, Glacial Lakes

Permit: No (for day use, yes for over night)

Camping Notes: Easy to find camping late on a fall Friday, both (no-longer-serviced) government camps, and dispersed options

Ideal Time of Year: Spring, Summer, Fall

Crowds: Generally pretty crowded— the snow and (wrong) poor forecast seemed to scare people away

Nearby: Colonial Creek Campground, Mazama Store

Matt Brielmaier
Backcountry Fall Hike: Mt. Adams Wilderness

Trail Details Below

Tony and I try out one of my favorite hikes, this time in (a little more) snow (than anticipated). Caught the Milky Way late in the season along with some epic snowy sights. Killen Creek to High Camp Trail once again. This is one of my favorite hikes in the entire state. This whole section of Gifford and Mt. Adams Wilderness remains one of the best parts of the whole Pacific NW.


Trail: Killen Creek to High Camp Trail

Location: Mt. Adams Wilderness / Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Distance: ~10 miles

Elevation: 4000 ish depending how far you go

Features: Mountain Views

Permit: No (for day use, yes for over night)

Camping Notes: Easy to find camping early on a fall Thursday, both (no-longer-serviced) government camps, and dispersed options readily available

Ideal Time of Year: Spring, Summer, Fall (basically whenever NF-23 is passable)

Crowds: We saw 2 people on the trail the entire time. There was one set of foot prints we followed up past the PCT to High Camp, and only one car in the lot when we returned.

Nearby: Randle for store and gas

Matt Brielmaier
Weeklong Car Camping: North Cascades National Park

Diablo Lake (Colonial Creek Campground, Thunderknob), Blue Lake, the “PNW Alps” and other hikes and drives.

Matt Brielmaier