About us
This group is for nature lovers and photographers who like to soak in the moment, ID plants, birds, and wildflowers, pick up rocks, commune with waterfalls, meet wildlife, practice mindfulness, or just feel like taking it easy today. Our hikes are short and sweet and we incorporate a lot of pauses.
We take full advantage of full moons, eclipses, meteor showers, sunrises, sunsets, meteorological phenomena, low tides, king tides, bird migrations, whale migrations, salmon runs, elk ruts, wildlife viewing, peak wildflower blooms, fall colors, plant and tree ID, prime rockhounding spots, unique natural features, waterfalls, nature instruction, meditation, gardens and gardening, and weird stuff around the Portland periphery.
Membership denotes agreement to:
Be 18 years or older, leave all pets at home, be vaccinated for COVID, and refrain from smoking/vaping, alcohol, and/or any recreational drugs during our time together.
Always check your email and the event page of the hike you've signed up for to see if there are any last minute changes. Sudden weather developments are often a factor, especially in winter.
Update your RSVP if your plans change. Be advised: 3 No Shows and you will be asked to find another hiking Meetup.
Get there early. Events start at the time posted, so give yourself plenty of time to find a parking spot, pay the parking/entrance fee if there is one, gear up, use the restroom, pay your event fee, and be ready to go. Leave at least 15 minutes early for nearby events and 30 minutes early if the drive is going to be over an hour. Don't rely on GPS, a lot of our meeting spots are remote and/or unnamed, so read the directions in the event description carefully.
Read the WHOLE event description.
Let the Organizer know if you prefer not to have your photograph posted or tagged online. Privacy is important to us, so if you find your image has made it into the photo albums, contact the Organizer and it will be removed, no questions asked.
Take responsibility for your own safety, comfort, and enjoyment and understand that the Organizer is not liable for any incidents that may befall you leading up to, during, or following the event.
Understand that all proceeds go to the Organizer's expenses, including Meetup subscription, parking passes, park entrance fees, and gas. The Oregon Donkey Sanctuary event donates half the proceeds of that event to the sanctuary.
Refund Policy: If you are attending an event and it is unable to proceed as planned due to unforeseen events beyond the Organizer's control, a refund will be offered during that event. Refunds will not be issued after the conclusion of the event.
See you out there!
Upcoming events
3
- $10.00
Whale Watching: Cape Meares Lighthouse and Coffee
Cape Meares Lighthouse, 3500 Cape Meares Loop, Tillamook, OR, USWhale watching season is back! Tens of thousands of gray whales are currently migrating from Hawaii to Alaska with their young. About 30 pass by per hour and when they're feeling frisky, you might see some flipper slapping, lobtailing, or breeching--one time, I saw all three!
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint is just the spot for spotting, with multiple overlooks, paved trails, and Oregon's smallest, cutest lighthouse perched 200' over the water on the edge of a cliff.
We'll meet in the parking lot (look for my deep blue Honda CRV, I'll be in a navy windbreaker) and slowly walk the 0.5 mi. round trip paved loop, pausing to peer over overlooks, photograph the lighthouse, and scan the waves for whale action. I'll give whale info and provide plant and bird ID. We usually get wrentits, kinglets, Yellow-rumped warblers, Chestnut-backed chickadees, eagles, peregrines, ravens, and cormorants. On the south side return trail, we'll have spectacular views of Three Arch Rocks, the entirety of Short Beach, and a rock that's usually slathered with a coating of noisy Steller Sea Lions, the largest of all the lions of the sea. Restrooms on site, no parking fee.
Afterwards, we'll head back to Tillamook via the new section of the Cape Meares Loop Road and stop at the grand lookout near the top--It's a jaw-dropping view!
We'll reconvene at Five Rivers Roasters (3670 Hwy 101 N, Tillamook, OR 97141) for some hot java and conversation in a cozy coffeehouse. They roast their beans on site and have baked goods and sandwiches. This stop is optional, you are more than welcome to head out on your own after the lookout or make your way home.
Bring $10 (cash only), WEATHER appropriate clothing, binoculars/scope, camera gear, snacks/water. Location is exposed to sun/wind. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
4 attendees 
Free Garden Perennials Giveaway!
Cedar Hills, OR, USI'm thinning my garden beds and you can take it all home!
I'll do the digging, you just bring the pots/bags. Any backfill dirt you can spare to refill the holes would be much appreciated, please bring it. I'll be giving a lot of this to you mostly bare root, but these species are hardy as hell and will take just fine if you plant them right away when you get home and water them in--that how I planted them in the first place!
This is first come, first serve, no reservations, but there is a ton of everything but the valerian. If you have any daffodil bulbs of any color that need a new home, I'll take them.
What I'm giving away (plus a few other things):
Ice Dance Japanese Sedge (Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance') SUN, PART SHADE, SHADE
Spotted Bellflower (Campanula punctata 'Alba') PART SHADE
Common Valerian (Valerian officinalis) PART SHADE
Pink Yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'Grapefruit') SUN
If you just want to hang out with other gardeners to chat and ask questions, that's cool, too. I'm a semi-retired professional garden designer and landscaper and I'm happy to share insights.
Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks. Dress for the spring WEATHER.
LOCATION WILL BE SENT OUT TO ATTENDEES VIA DM ON SATURDAY (3-28-26).
9 attendees- $10.00
Trolls and Trilliums: Burlington Creek Loop & the Famous Troll Bridge
McNamee Trestle, NW McNamee Rd, Portland, OR, USTrolls used to be fearsome creatures of Norse folklore, stealing maidens and feasting on humans. Then, in the 1960s, something went horribly wrong. They were shrunk and plasticized into colorful little dolls with crazy hair and creepy smiles. And in 2000, they started getting nailed to a bridge....
Yep, that's Portland for you, keeping it weird. We got us a Troll Bridge.
The 114-year-old active trestle over McNamee Road (McGnarly Road to exhausted bicyclists) is now graced with a pink and purple sideshow that people come miles to see. It's a secret who started it but everyone knows the story, I'll tell you when you get there.
We'll start out by assembling under the bridge and adding our own trolls (coins/stones/trinkets accepted) to pay the Troll Toll. Bring a thumbtack or a loop of string to hang your stuff. We snap some artistic shots of the trestle and then walk 0.2 mi. up the road to the Burlington Creek Loop Trail.
Burlington Creek Loop is a hilly and twisty gravel and dirt road--a real trollercoaster! (I'll see myself out.) We'll do 0.4 mi. slowly, pausing at a creek for some silent meditation. Those who want to do the rest of the 3.3 mi. trail can continue on from here while the rest of us head back. Trilliums and early wildflowers are poppin' and the trees are full of birdsong, so pretties should be plentiful.
PARKING: There are half a dozen gravel pull outs along McNamee before and after the bridge. Arrive 10 minutes early so you can slip into one and then walk to the bridge to meet us. Be careful not to block any gates.
Bring $10 cash, water, binoculars, camera, WEATHER appropriate clothing, trekking poles, and your Troll Toll with thumbtack or string. No restroom facilities (but lots of cover, if you know what I mean). Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
1 attendee
Past events
547
