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
2
- $10.00
Flowers, Birds, and Volcanoes: Sherrard Point, Larch Mountain
Sherrard Point, Out there, Portland, OR, USThe wildflowers are so spectacular this year, we're doin' this one again!
SEE DIRECTIONS AT BOTTOM
Wanna climb a volcano in under an hour?
Larch Mountain is an extinct shield volcano (read: wide and flat) in the Columbia River Gorge and beautiful Larch Mountain Road is the highest forest road in Multnomah County. The trailhead parking lot sits only a few hundred feet below a grand lookout at the summit and we'll polish it off at our leisure.
The object of my lust on this trail every year is the Cliff Beardtongue. It's a hot pink little number that lights up the exposed basalt at the top like candles on a birthday cake. There's a LOT of wildflowers along the trail. I've also spotted red crossbills, warblers, pine siskins, eagles, playful ravens, and saucy Steller's jays. Mt. Hood is all drama from the viewpoint and on a good day you'll get St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, and Jefferson in the bargain! People get married up there just for the backdrop and the sunsets are legendary.
We'll meet in the parking area and do the 0.6 mile round trip trail out and back very slowly. The initial part is paved, very wide, and relatively flat but it transforms into a gauntlet of about 100 stairs before the summit. We'll be pausing for birds and wildflowers the whole way, but trekking poles help on the way back down.
NOTE: This trail is at elevation, which means you'll be feelin' it. We'll start at about 4000', as high as Government Camp, so take 'er easy and drink lots of water, it helps.
We'll linger at the top for photography and repose (no seating, just metal railings to lean on), however you're welcome to book it back down if you want to do part of Larch Mountain Trail #441 (a bridge may still be out but people are saying it's no biggie to cross the creek). We'll do a small gravel loop on the way back to check out a historic automobile turnaround buried in the trees with wild rhododrendrons and ferns.
Please get there at least 15 minutes early to gear up, pay your event fee, apply the bug spray (yes, the skeeters are out in force), and use the restroom because we will be starting promptly on time. Buy your Northwest Forest Pass online beforehand because they have gone fully digital and there's no signal at the trailhead, so they've removed the fee station there. They confirm your pass by reading your license plate now.
Bring $10 cash, secure your Northwest Forest Pass/America the Beautiful Pass beforehand, water, snacks, binoculars, camera equipment, trekking poles, insect repellent, and WEATHER appropriate clothing (full sun and wind exposure at the top). Restroom facility on site. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
*** DIRECTIONS ***
Go east on I-84 and take exit 22 to Corbett.
After 1.4 mi., go left on NE Corbett Hill Rd.
After 0.5 mi. keep left on E. Historic Columbia River Hwy.
After 1.4 mi. keep right on E. Larch Mtn. Rd.
After 3.4 mi. keep left on E. Larch Mtn. Rd.
After 11 miles, park in fee lot. Look for my deep blue Honda CRV.6 attendees - $10.00
Tidepooling and Views at Ecola State Park
Ecola State Park, Ecola Park Rd, Cannon Beach, OR, USIt's described as one of the most beautiful views on the west coast, yet a lot of folks don't even know it's there. They come to Cannon Beach, they photograph Haystack Rock, they eat some salt water taffy, and they leave. But just three miles north of all that are rock garden tidepools and windswept headlands so amazing, not even Hollywood could stay away.
The Goonies consulted their treasure map there, Twilight teenagers strolled through the jetsam there, and the stormy finale of Point Break where Keanu Reeves fought with Patrick Swayze in the freezing surf was filmed on Indian Beach.
We'll meet in the Indian Beach parking lot and head down the stairs to the sand for 1.0 to 1.5 miles of leisurely tidepooling, beachcombing, and macrophotography in the misty morning light. I'll provide nature, bird, and rock ID. Parking permit required (see below). Restroom on site.
From there, we'll drive the lovely forested road to Ecola Point Viewpoint and walk about 0.5 miles of paved trails to two spectacular vistas that overlook Indian, Crescent, Cannon, and Tolovana Beaches to the south and a rocky sea stack and Terribly Tilly to the west. (If you haven't met Tilly yet, you're in for a treat.)
Finally, we'll head down into Tolovana at the south end of Cannon Beach and enjoy lunch and coffee at Fresh Foods (3401 S Hemlock St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110). They serve up Sleepy Monk Coffee and have indoor and outdoor seating. Restroom on site.
Bring $10 cash only, your digital parking permit (see below), sturdy hiking boots, WEATHER appropriate clothing, trekking poles/walking stick, water, snacks, binoculars, and camera equipment. All locations are fully exposed to sun and wind. Restrooms at all sites. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
PARKING PERMIT: You'll need an Oregon Resident Daily Parking Permit - DIGITAL. Visit the link on the day of the hike before you leave your house and purchase a $10 daily permit because cell reception can be sketchy on the coast and they no longer have a pay kiosk on location. You will be registered by your vehicle's license plate, so no need to print anything out or show a receipt on your phone, although it's not a bad idea to bookmark it, anyway.
3 attendees
Past events
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