Starting Point: Lost Lake Trailhead/Campsite &/or General Store
Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation: 0 ft.
Travel Time From Portland: 2 hours

When I checked the weather earlier in the week, Hood River promised 70 degrees and sunshine. But I don't think Lost Lake can really be considered Hood River since it's an hour away from their downtown area. It was drizzly and grim but still very lovely.

I couldn't see Mount Hood through the clouds/fog but loved walking around the lake nice and easy. When I'm doing a tough hike alone - I need tons of music to motivate me. But this hike was a breeze, so I just walked without music or distractions. 

One thing I noticed on this trail was TONS of fallen trees, debris and even broken bridges all throughout the loop. I can't find any answers on why this trail is kind of a hot mess right now. I did, however, find some articles about how a lava tube drains Lost Lake every summer. 

Starting Point: Dick Thomas Trailhead
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation: 3200 ft.
Drive Time from Portland: 1 hour

This is attempt #3 to find the top of Table Mountain. 
Attempt #1 & #2 can be found HERE, the first of which resulted in my car being broken into and robbed at the Bonneville Trailhead. 

So I had some major nerves trying this hike again, especially because I was hiking SOLO. But I remembered the last time I tried hiking this mountain with friends and had a pretty good idea of where we went wrong.

FYI - you do have to pay for a 5$ parking pass at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort front desk - HOWEVER, that pass gives you a $5 coupon to be used at the Resort on anything! You can buy a coffee drink, use it in the bar or restaurant or buy something from the gift shop. I used mine to take five dollars off THIS new hiking book from the gift shop (total score!). 

Anyway - you head up the gravel road to the left of the back parking lot. Once you get to the T at the end of the road, TAKE A LEFT. A picture of the WRONG WAY, (right) is pictured below. You'll come across a little sign pointing you to Aldrige Butte and Table Mountain. Then you start climbing through the "jungle".  Eventually you'll get to a cute little bridge, also pictured below. 

You'll walk a little ways and come to an unmarked T in the road. It doesn't say it, but TURN RIGHT. Keep walking and you'll eventually get to another little fork-ish split in the road. Head up (the middle split). Just trust your instinct and also keep your eyes peeled for little pink ribbons in the trees that some nice hiker put up to mark the way. 

Keep walking far far far up the hill. You'll hear a waterfall next to you. Then after more walking, you'll see the sign with options for Aldridge Butte and Table Mountain (below). Keep walking and you'll see down on your left a little man-made T-Pee (below). 

More wandering and climbing steady uphill and you'll get to the main Table Mountain sign. 

Heartbreak Ridge is TRULY heartbreaking. Gosh, it's so hard! Straight uphill. I had to stop and catch my breath so many times.

I passed one hiker chick with her dog and she had ROCK HARD ABS! So obviously this hike is only for the BEAST of hearts. 

It's also kinda dangerous if you're not in great shape and feel confident. Another hiker here told me that he believes this is the second steepest hike in the gorge. The last thing you wanna do is faint while you're hiking this steep climb and tumble backwards or slip on a rock. 

One blog states you travel 700 feet in elevation in the first half mile on heartbreak ridge!

I kept cursing the Gods, hoping the peak was coming soon and finally got to an open-ish area (FLOODED WITH BUGS!) who wouldn't leave me alone long enough to take a picture.
Learn from my mistake -  BRING BUGSPRAY! 
I passed another couple who were coming down from the top and they said they've been hiking back down for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. I started to panic here thinking I wouldn't make it (it was well passed 4pm. I kept chugging a little longer because they told me I'd see the giant rock of a mountain soon. I climbed up this side trail and that's where I finally ended my search for the big Table and settled for this little table. 

When I finally took a load off, cracked a cider and started in on my lunch perched from this cool little ridge, a Dad and his hiker son came down behind me. We chatted for a while and he did tell me that if I wanted to try to get to the top, it'd definitely be another hour and I'd be scrambling over tons of rocks to get there. It was about 5:15pm now - so I decided against it. But, of course, I will be back (after a little more training at the gym). 

Where to Feast Afterwards: Mike's Drive-In! Or any drive-in/burger joint for that matter. You straight up earned it today, my friend. 

Starting Point: Angel's Rest Trailhead
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation: 1450 ft
Drive Time from Portland: 35 minutes

This was my very first attempt at a sunrise hike. We left my house at around 3:30/3:45 AM, grabbed some coffee at 7/11 and hit the road! When we got to the trailhead, it was pitch black... the bushes were rustling and everything seemed haunted! We got real scared and ended up waiting in the car until 5 am. We started our hike a little too late - and the sun started rising while we were still climbing. 

But it was still beautiful at the top. It was foggy and crisp and the birds were chirping loudly! My legs were burning too - great morning workout!

Once we made it all the way to the top - we had a breakfast picnic with hard boiled eggs, strawberries, chocolate chip muffins, veggies n hummus, & crackers which we shared with a tiny chipmunk who practically sat in our lap. 

And then we headed back down and made it home before 8:30 am - and PROMPTLY passed out for 1 hour. Best sleep I've ever had. 

Starting Point: Hamilton Mountain Trailhead
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation: 2100 ft.
Drive Time From Portland: 1 hour

Where to Sip Cider Afterwards: Thunder Island Brewing Company
This place is the BEES KNEES. The food was delicious, the cascade waterfront patio was even better. And I got a sour cherry cider which rocked my world. This is totally my new post hike hot spot!

This hike is very easy & right on the gorge on Washington side. Visit early in the spring to catch the wildflowers. 

Starting Point: Catherine Creek Trailhead
Elevation: 100 ft.
Distance: 1.2 miles
Drive Time from Portland: 80 minutes

Need a healthy pre-roadtrip boost?

Stop for brunch at Prasad East, like we did... and fuel up on all things healthy!

Green tea + Green Juice

Starting Point: Rowena Crest Trailhead
Distance: 3.6 Miles Round Trip
Elevation: 1070 ft.
Drive Time From Portland: 1.5 hours

This hike was actually way harder than I thought it would be. Almost entirely exposed to the sun - don't forget to spray yourself down with sunscreen and bug spray! There's warnings for snakes and poison oak - so be mindful of that. 

Here's a GREAT article on how to spot Pacific specific poison oak/ivy/sumac.

But don't worry too much ... just get ready to enjoy the beautiful views and wildflowers right from the start. 

Where To Drink Wine After (or before): Analemma Winery in Mosier, Oregon. 
We did the 10$ wine tasting and loved ALL FOUR WINES. The fee is waived when you buy 2 bottles of wine which of course I did. My favorite was the Rose of Pinot Noir. 

Start Point: Smith Rock Trailhead
Length: 3.8 miles
Elevation: 1000 ft
Drive Time From Portland: 3.25 hours

Misery Ridge (aka Breakup Ridge aka The Ridge of Tears) ((..but no tears for me on this day - just smiles and sunshine with my new boyfriend). 

Don't be like me - enjoy this hike WITHOUT a hangover. Spring, summer or fall - get up this rock and suck in the infinite beauty of Oregon. 

Where to Sip Cider After: 

• Terrebone Depot (5 mins away!)

AND/OR: 
in the gigantic hot tub at Black Butte Ranch.

We didn't finish the whole wall - but you really don't need to. You can walk and walk and everything is beautiful in front of you and behind you. The views are right there next to you. Do what you gotta do - and turn back whenever. 

Start Point: Coyote Wall Trailhead
Distance: 7.8 miles
Elevation: 1775 ft.

Where to sip wine afterwards: Cafe Allora
This place is nowhere near Coyote Ridge... it's in downtown portland. We just so happened to meet up with Ryan's parent's here after our hike. The gnocchi was amazing!

One of my favorite hikes of all time! Seriously - so good. Located near the coast - with beautiful ocean views from the top. 

Starting Point: Saddle Mountain Trailhead
Elevation: 1600 ft.
​Distance: 5.2 miles round trip
Driving Time From Portland: 1.5 hours

Where to Sip Hot Cocoa Afterwards: Sam's Seaside Cafe, Seaside Oregon

Start Point: Multnomah Falls Trailhead
Distance: 4.9 miles
Elevation: 1600 ft.
Drive Time From Portland: 40 mins

​There are apparently 8 waterfalls along this hike... Eola Falls, Fairy Falls, Dutchman Falls and some others I guess. I can't remember if we saw all the waterfalls and I certainly don't remember which ones are which in the photos. 

This was our last hike of the season - the leaves were turning and it was definitely on the chillier side. But it was fantastic as you can see from our smiles!