HIKES, BIKES & SWIMMING HOLES
a shortlist for Lewis & Clark law students

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HIKES

Angel’s Rest Trail

Close enough to Portland, it’s about 4.5 miles, with big flat rocks at the top overlooking the Columbia River Gorge that are great for picnics. Connect to the Wahkeena Trail to see Wahkeena Falls or Multnomah Falls via the Larch Mountain Trail for longer hikes.

Getting there: Take exit 28/Bridal Veil off I-84 to the parking area at the intersection with the Historic Columbia River Hwy.

Forest Park:The largest urban forested park in the U.S. There are about 70 miles of trails in all, and Friends of Forest Park has a great set of maps for the best routes (get it at Powell’s).

Getting there: To avoid having to drive, take the Red Line MAX to the Zoo, and pick up the Wildwood Trail near the Hoyt Arboretum to go from Washington Park (which is worth exploring too) into Forest Park.

Eagle Creek Trail: One of the most stunning hikes in the Gorge, it’s not too steep and there are waterfalls galore. It’s part of a larger loop but for a day hike it’s about 12 miles round-trip to the aptly named Tunnel Falls. 

Getting there: Take exit 41/Eagle Creek off of I-84.

Whatum Lake/Chinidere Mountain: The hike is a 4 mile loop going past the glassy lake and up to serious vistas of Mt Hood and the Gorge. Jump in the clear lake for the most refreshing swim of your life. 

Getting there: google how to drive to Whatum Lake trailhead, go left around the lake, hike to Indian Springs on your left, Chinidere is further up on your right.

Ponytail Falls/Horsetail Falls: Beautiful waterfall hike in the Gorge, not too long, pretty easy, the trail goes behind the waterfalls. 

Getting there: from 84, take exit #28 for Bridal Veil Falls, go west on the scenic highway and look for trailhead sign.

Dog Mountain: 7 miles round-trip, pretty steep at parts, with stunning views of Mt Hood, Mt Adams, Mt St Helens and serious wild-flowers extravaganza during the summer. Take the Augsperger Mountain Trail (towards the left of the parking lot) one way to make it a loop.

Getting there: Don’t be scared off when you discover this is in WASHINGTON, it’s only an hour out of town. from 84, take exit #44/Cascade Locks, and take the first right once you enter town for the Bridge of the Gods. Cross the bridge ($1 toll!) and turn right onto WA 14, and go 12 miles to the trailhead.

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BIKES

10 miles or less—-Mt. Tabor in southeast Portland: A nice, short climb up a volcanic cinder cone, located at SE 60th & Salmon. Explore the hiking trails, hang out, bring a book, a frisbee, a picnic. Also worth checking out for sunset or in the moonlight. Just don’t swim in the reservoirs. The reservoirs store pure, unfiltered drinking water from Mt. Hood’s Bull Run watershed.  The entire Bull Run watershed as well as Portland’s Mt. Tabor reservoirs are off limits to human entry.

 

12-35 miles—-Sauvie Island Loop: Beautiful, bucolic, flat biking with minimal traffic. Bike the 12 mile loop in either direction, take side trips down to the beaches. Warning, Collins Beach is nudist beach with naked old people. There’s also the 3 mile Oak Island nature hike off of Reeder Rd for bird-watching or just strolling.

Drive route 30, take the bus  to the parking lot just over the Sauvie Island Bridge—or bike the 20+ miles round trip from Portland. 

 
20 miles or less—-Springwater Corridor: The 21 mile trail starts off just south of the Eastbank Esplanade (follow signs), and travels alongside the Willamette for a few miles before heading east to Boring (yes, Boring). Depending on where you’re starting from, this can also be a great route to commute to school - just take it to the Sellwood Bridge and head up (and I do mean UP) through the River View Cemetery, go left out the other side, and right at the stop sign reach Lewis & Clark. 

 

 20+ miles—-from lewis & clark southbound to Oregon City. 20 or so mile easy roundtrip from school. start going towards Sellwood, head south, cross the river, then north back to school. Click here for route. (thanks to PEAC professor Dan Mensher for this recommendation).

 

30 miles—-from lewis & clark to Council Crest: A climb to the highest point in Southwest Portland. 30 miles round trip from L&C but google for directions. It’s a big climb, but you can do it.

50 miles—-from lewis & clark to Canby ferry across the Willamette River. A pleasant 50 mile south Portland metro ride with lots of gradual climbs and a few steeper ones. by the way, the Canby ferry is free. (thanks to NEDC director Mark Riskedahl for this recommendation)

50+ miles——Portland to Forest Grove sake brewery ride out to Sake One in Forest Grove, the only American sake brewery, take an afternoon tour, bike home through vineyards and farmland. it is a little more than 50 miles round trip from Sellwood.

 

70+ miles—-Portland to Crown Point in the Columbia River Gorge. 

This is awesome as soon as you get out of Portland. It’s about 75-80 miles round-trip from Lewis & Clark to the Vista House at Crown Point. The best would be to start around Edgefield, which is also a great place to have a beer on the way home. Google for best bike route. You can also take the Blue Line MAX to Gresham to start farther out.

 

 

140 miles—-Bike to PIELC Challenge: Join us in February to bike southbound to Eugene for the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC). The whole thing is about 135 miles, but there will be support vehicles to carry you if your bike gets tired (which it won’t because we’ll do a few training rides beforehand). It’s definitely a challenge, but you won’t regret it.  There’s lots of countryside and a very magical mountain forest towards the end. The conference is great for those interested in environmental law.  

 

 

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SWIMMING HOLES

 

 

Oneanta Gorge:

A magic fairy tale chasm just east of Multnomah Falls. The half-mile trail up the river leads you to climb up and over a log jam and ends with a spectacular waterfall and swimming hole. Best on a hot day because you will certainly get wet. And don’t forget, swimming in cold water builds character. 

Getting there: Take exit #28/Bridal Veil off of I-84, and turn left onto the Historic Columbia River Hwy, go 5.2 miles to the parking area at Horsetail Falls. 

Oxbow Park: This lovely little gem has hiking trails through ancient forests and great access to the Sandy River for kayaking, tubing, and swimming. ($5 entrance fee)

Getting there: Take exit #17 off of I-84, turn right on 257th, then left on Division for 5 more miles, then follow signs to the park. You can even bike there—it’s about 30 miles from downtown. Or take the Blue Line MAX to Gresham for a 12 mile ride (google for specifics).

Washougal River: There are tons of great swimming spots on the Washougal. You can stop almost anywhere for great swimming, and be sure to check out Dougan Falls. Don’t worry about the water being too warm. 

Getting there: Take WA 14 to Washougal River Road - google for more specific directions and recommendations. 

Moulton Falls: This is another great place to swim in Washington, with two waterfalls and a tall arch bridge. There’s good rock jumping or try the bridge if you’re feeling brave. Explore the hiking trails while you are at it. 

Getting there: google directions to 27781 NE Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt, WA.

Trillium Lake: A nice, peaceful lake with a stunning view of Mt Hood. There’s a 2 mile loop hike around the lake, with easy access to the water from much of the trail. 

Getting there: Take US 26 east and turn right at a sign for Trillium Lake (about 50 miles east of I-205). At the bottom of the hill, stay straight for the day-use areas (there’s good car camping here too).

Bagby Hotsprings: A pretty amazing place super early in the morning before weird and crazy people take it over later in the day and evening. Brave the cold and go for a mid-finals soak to ease your stress. 

Getting there: Bagby Hot Springs is located about 45 minutes South East of Estacada, Oregon. After the beautiful drive up the Clackamas River Basin on Hwy 224, you turn South and follow the Collawash River. There is a parking lot and campground located at the trailhead bearing the name “Bagby Trailhead”.