Operation: Hike the Gorge

Growing up in Gresham (a suburb of Portland-proper), my family spent a lot of time hiking and playing in the Columbia River Gorge.  And, after my Grandfather passed away in 2007, this became a place I spent a lot of time thinking.

Isn't it beautiful?  And that's just from the outside.  There's a bigger world to explore once you pull off the freeway.  Listen to me gush.  My love affair with the Gorge dates back several years.  And it's far from over.    There are so many trails and waterfalls I haven't explored yet.  And that brings me to my little project.  I want to hike all the trails in this book:

I bought this book while I was away in Montana, in college (weird right?).  It was something I would read when I missed home, planning my adventures when, and if my career every brought me back to Oregon.  Then it did.

When I moved back to Oregon in 2007, I wasn't expecting to do lots of hiking.  I wanted to get into it, but I also wanted to focus on my career.  Then, my Grandpa passed away suddenly.  And I picked up this book, and started checking trails off my list.  It was something I could do that would clear my head.  It also got me out of the house, and away from all the sadness that was going on around me.  I made it through 10 trails, before I moved down to Eugene in the fall-- for another job.

This book made it through 5 moves.  From Montana to Portland to Eugene and back to Portland again.  For a while, it sat on the shelf gathering dust, until two weeks ago when Jason's Dad was in town.  I dusted it off, and we went to "Triple Falls".

As we trekked up the trial, we talked about our thinking places.  His dad has been mountain biking along forest trails near Bremerton, where he lived at the time.  As we kept going, I started to realize-- this was my thinking place.  Every time I go to the gorge, I feel instantly at peace.  It's so beautiful and peaceful, and no matter which trail I choose, I get a great sweat in.  It's the perfect place to go, and think... or not think.

And then, I was struck with an idea.  Why not finish what I started, 5 years ago.  Hike every trail in the book-- and this time blog about it.

Here's the goal-- to hike every trail in the book, but next summer.  I want to give Jason and I a chance to acclimate to gorge hiking, which is mainly uphill-- since you're climbing basalt cliffs.  Some of the trails are easy, some are not.  I want to get through the easiest ones by the end of this summer, in time to hike Larch Mountain to Multnomah Falls... 7 miles one way.  Then next year-- we will tackle the more difficult trails in the book.  After each trip, I will write a blog about our experience, and a review of the trail itself.  (Should be fun!)

Ultimately, I hope this goal is a catalyst to inspire us to explore more of this beautiful state we live in.  I'd like to take up snowshoeing in the winters, and camp more in the summer.  I'd also like to get into backpacking.  We'll see where this journey takes us...

I hope you'll join along as we explore part of Portland's beautiful backyard!