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, get away from crowds, and just feel like taking it easy right now. 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, secret rockhounding spots, unique natural features, waterfalls, nature education and local history, 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 and cell reception can be sketchy out there, 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
2
- $10.00
Big Wave Watch: Barview Jetty
North Jetty, Rockaway Beach, OR, USMONSTER WAVE ALERT! Multiple factors are converging to provide 20-30 foot crests during a rare day of dry, balmy weather on the coast: the ultimate sweet spot in wave watching.
The North Jetty at the mouth of Tillamook Bay is a coveted spot for surf enthusiasts. Thundering walls of white foam get thrown up over the 26' tall beacon sitting out at the toe. You can park within 1500' of the action and look killer waves right in the eye at about 20' above sea level.
Don't worry, there's several massive boulders standing between you and the splash zone, not to mention a lot of signs warning idiots about venturing out any further--which we will NOT be doing. As a matter of fact, if things get truly hairy, the sheriff typically rolls up and shuts down the whole area: "Alright, everybody out of the pool!"
There's good bird watching around the jetty and in the channel and a few cheeky harbor seals usually body surf the waves. The California ground squirrels often come out of the rocks and right up to you. I've spotted rhinoceros auklets, Marbled Murrelets, and Leach's storm-petrels. I'll provide bird and animal ID, beach and safety instruction, and a rundown of the meteorological and oceanic phenomena that are forming the waves. If you carpool with me on the way, you'll get much, much more.
Here's a massive flock of dunlins I found last winter.
Here's a minor sneaker wave taking a shot at us.
Here's what a major one can do.
We'll photograph waves and seabirds from the jetty ($10 parking fee if you drive yourself), then walk up a tiny lookout hill a few hundred feet away for a broader view. We will NOT be roaming the beach at any time: I've seen killer sneaker waves do some gnarly @#$%! with logs that weigh more than a bus. Restroom on site.
From there, we'll drive the 101 south about half a mile to photograph a sexy formation of sea stacks called The Three Graces that look like a giant Japanese Zen garden. No restroom on site.
Optionally, we may head another mile south into Garibaldi to check out the longest pier in Oregon that leads to the Garibaldi Historic US Coast Guard Boathouse. Restroom on site. Head back by 3 PM at the latest if you want to avoid driving in the dark.
Bring $10 cash (no Venmo), debit/credit card to pay $10 state park fee at the kiosk if you're driving yourself, weather appropriate clothing (dress for winter, you'll be doing a lot of standing) including waterproof gear, hat, and boots, snacks/lunch/beverages, binoculars/scope, and all your camera equipment. Bring lens cloths to wipe off the mist. Restrooms on site.
Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks. Please arrive early so we can find each other before the start time. Look for my deep blue Honda CRV; I'll be in a navy windbreaker.
DRIVING DETAILS: To continue from the jetty to the Three Graces, backtrack to the 101 and turn right. Go 0.5 mi. to the gravel pull out on your right next to the railroad tracks.
To continue from Three Graces to the pier, turn south onto the 101 again for 1 mi. and turn right on 12th Street. Turn right at Bay Lane at the next intersection and go 0.1 mi. to the gravel parking lot.
4 attendees - $5.00
Full Moon Rising Over Killin Wetlands
Killin Wetlands Nature Park, 46280 NW Cedar Canyon Rd, Banks, or, USThe full Beaver Moon will rise at 4:16 PM on what will hopefully be a clear Tuesday afternoon in November. From Killin's parking lot, you can get a pretty tasty view with a telephoto when the sunset often dresses Mt. Hood in a pink negligee for the evening--Ooo, la, la!
First, we'll walk very slowly about 1 mi. out and back down paved NW Cedar Canyon Road to the west slough to photograph autumn colors, waterfowl, and nutria (and maybe an elk or otter). The fall migration is still going, so it should be good birding. If time allows, you can explore the little 0.7 mi. trail loop through the park, itself, before it gets too dark. Then we'll return to the parking lot, set up our tripods, snuggle into our chairs and blankets, and watch for the moon to become visible over the hills around 4:40 PM at 51° azimuth.
Bring $5 cash, water, headlamp/light source, binoculars, camping chair with blankets, weather appropriate clothing, and all your photography gear. Restroom on site. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks. We're settin' out promptly at the start time, so get there early.
3 attendees
Past events
566
