Portland and its surroundings are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the West - it is a hiker's paradise. Formed by fire and ice, the landscape is varied and complex, offering hikers hundreds of options limited only by their desire. Within two hours of Portland are five ecoregions, each with its own unique geology, terrain, and natural beauty. The main regions - The Cascade Range dividing the state North to South, Willamette Valley that surrounds Portland and Salem, and Coast Range skirting the Pacific, contain hundreds of miles of trails to entice even the novice explorer to take a walk. Less well known, but nonetheless loved, are the Columbia River Plateau and the Eastern Cascades, both of which offer early season options for hikers looking to get away from Western Oregon's winter rain and snow.

Take a Hike Portland has already found a following amongst those hikers looking to add the perspective of an outdoor expert to their library and to their adventures.

 

Barbara I. Bond is a freelance writer/photographer and active member of Mazamas, a non-profit mountaineering organization that was established July 19, 1894, on the summit of Mt. Hood.

Barbara divides her time between Portland, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois. She enjoys an active life that includes biking, camping, hiking, and skiing with her family.

Check out Barbara’s writing/photography site.