What we’re about
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 migrations, wildlife viewing, peak wildflower blooms, plant and tree ID, prime rockhounding spots, unique natural features, waterfalls, nature instruction, guided 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, gear up, use the restroom, pay your 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, read the directions in the event description, too.
Read the WHOLE event description. Sometimes, I'll be sending attendees the address/location the day before the event and you'll want to know where to watch for it.
Let me know if you prefer not to have your photograph posted or tagged online. Privacy is important, so if you find your image has made it into the photo albums, contact me and I will remove it, no questions asked.
Take responsibility for your own safety and comfort and understand that the hike organizer is not liable for any incidents that may befall you during the event. To that end, I respectfully request that you refrain from alcohol or any recreational drugs during our time together.
I really appreciate it. See you out there!
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Oregon Donkey Sanctuary Field TripOregon Donkey Sanctuary, Oregon City, OR$10.00
Did you know donkeys are super affectionate, sensitive, and kind? Have you ever snuggled close to a soft, warm donkey and looked deep into two soulful brown eyes? Wanna brush one?
The Oregon Donkey Sanctuary is just chock-full of cuteness and opportunity in all shapes, colors, and sizes--even adorable miniatures! Rhonda and Jim Urquhart's 40 acre farm in Oregon City evolved from a satellite facility for Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, fostering and adopting out neglected and abused donkeys to new homes, to the Oregon Donkey Sanctuary in 2021. It quickly received the Oregon Humane Society’s Diamond Collar Award in 2023 and now they're building an equine therapy program.
They'll give us a guided tour where we will learn all about their operation, different donkeys and their backstories, donkey body language and communication--we'll even get to brush and pet them! If our group is large, they'll split us into two tour groups. We'll be walking on flat ground but it is a barnyard, so be prepared to enjoy dust, mud, donkey hair, dog hair, cat hair, and the occasional chicken feather.
NOTE: Donkey's are highly intelligent and keen on self-preservation with excellent personal boundaries. You can call that stubborn if you want, but they know what's what. They will choose you. Please do not feed them anything and make sure you don't have any food on your person. Remember, they are smart as a whip and have a spectacular sense of smell. To that end, please also skip the perfume/cologne today.
The Oregon Donkey Sanctuary is completely nonprofit and volunteer- and donation-driven. The impressive facility is an awe-inspiring labor of love. To preserve this vision, they ask only that you sign an online waiver beforehand and consider making a donation of your choice--you can even sign up to volunteer! They have swag and souvenirs (cash/debit/cc), so you don't have to go home with just pictures.
Please arrive between 10:30 AM and 10:45 AM to check in with me before the tour begins at 11 AM.
Bring $10 cash, some money for donation, water, camera, WEATHER- and barnyard-appropriate clothing including boots for mud. Sign the electronic waiver at this link before you arrive. Restroom facilities on site. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
- Heavily Meditated: The River and the SalmonSpruce Gifts and Provisions, Cascade Locks, OR$10.00
The Heavily Meditated hiking series is short treks to stunning places where we linger for an extra hour after the initial event to soak up the ambience. In silence, we sit or recline, meditate, eat, take pics, shoot video, write in journals, sketch, whatever. You may commune silently with the group or go off a little ways and find a healing spot of your own. You are free to leave sooner or linger longer than an hour, it's all about getting your fill of beauty and peace.
If you've never met anybody famous, now's your chance. He's got his own pool, he's got his own swag, he's even been in a music video. He doesn't sign autographs but he's racked up a ton of paparazzi. He's livin' his best life at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery where fans admire him from above and below at a custom made viewing facility. He just turned 90.
Herman the Sturgeon is an 11-foot-long, 500+ pound green sturgeon who's still rockin' his ancestor's look from 100,000 million years ago. I call it Jurassic Classic. Sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they can live in both fresh and saltwater. So, if Herman wasn't living a life of luxury in his custom-made pond, he'd be joining all his buddies who head out to sea to feed and then back up the Columbia River again to spawn.
Which the Chinook salmon are doing right now. The shallows are shimmying with silver bodies vying for the best nursery rooms. I found an enchanting spot along a nearby river where hundreds upon hundreds of fish undulate together in the singing water, you can sit just 10 feet away and stare into the dance.
We'll meet at the door of the Spruce Gifts and Provisions gift shop and head out on a short walking tour of the gardens of Bonneville Hatchery, including a celebrity meet and greet with Herman. We'll peer into trout and baby sturgeon ponds and then head back to check out the gift shop. They have Oregon- and nature-themed art and souvenirs you've never seen anywhere else and a coffeeshop in the back serving up Longbottom Coffee. All proceeds benefit the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. Restrooms on site, free parking.
Then we'll drive about 0.3 mi. to the most magical place in Oregon to watch the salmon spawn. From the parking lot, we'll descend about two stories of steep stairs with a sturdy metal railing and traverse an uneven gravel path for about 100 - 300 feet to find a spot along the river to set up our camp chairs and blankets. A few boulders make decent seats, but bring a blanket or towel in case of bird doo. There are shady secluded places near the bridge and a wide and sunny rock beach out where the river meets the Columbia. Insect repellent recommended if you're delicious, trekking poles if you want stability on the rocks. Please make sure you bring food you can eat quietly (no rustling bags, popping soda can tops) so everyone can enjoy the quiet. Restrooms on site, free parking.
Bring $10 cash, water, lunch, binoculars, camera equipment, camp chair/blankets, WEATHER appropriate clothing. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
- Photographing the Roosevelt Elk Rut & Fishhawk FallsJewell Meadows Wildlife Area, Seaside, OR$10.00
Right now, the Roosevelt Elk of Oregon are embroiled in a violent speed dating contest called the rut. It's like Tinder with weapons. Lots of yelling, clashing, chasing, talking smack about each other--it all just makes you glad you survived your 20s.
The Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area in the Oregon Coast Range is THE spot to view herds of horny (see what I did there?) ruminants doing their thing at dawn. Nearby is an easy stroll to a lovely waterfall that spreads Fishhawk Creek into a 62-foot high fan and 10-foot cascade over glossy black basalt. The cathedral-like forest of moss-frosted cedar and fir with a burbling creek running through it is ethereal, lots of bird and moth action.
We'll meet in the main parking lot of the elk viewing area (restroom on site, parking permit required) and spend 30 to 60 minutes watching the fur fly. There is a short trail system that allows you to get right up to the fence, you'll be anywhere from 50 to 800 feet from the action. If the herds aren't visible, we'll head up the road to a few other viewing spots to find them. I'll give an overview on Roosevelt Elk, explain the rut, and give you some tips on when to see the cute baby calves later on.
Then, we'll drive 3 miles further to the Lee Wooden Fishhawk Falls County Park and commune with the falls during an easy 0.5 mile round trip stroll on relatively flat trail and a couple wooden bridges with stairs. A quarter mile further up the road is a fine view of the falls from above with ample parking. I'll provide bird, plant, and nature ID. No restroom on site, free parking.
Afterward, you can stop off at the elk viewing spots again on the way back to see if anybody's started anything or continue north on the 202 for 27 mi. to Astoria to make a day of it, it's a gorgeous section of road.
***To get a parking permit, go to the ODFW site, click on "Check Out as a Guest," scroll down to "Daily Wildlife Area Parking Permit," select "Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area, Seaside," from the drop down menu and any other areas you plan to visit that day from the list below it, then "Check Out."
Bring $10 cash, parking permit, water, snacks, binoculars/scope, camera, birding books/apps, and WEATHER appropriate clothing. Excellent restrooms at elk viewing site (some of the nicest facilities I've ever seen!), none at trailhead. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
- Full Moon Rising Over Killin WetlandsKillin Wetlands Nature Park, Banks, OR$5.00
The full Hunter's Moon will rise at 6:22 PM on what will hopefully be a clear Monday evening in October. 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. total out and back down paved NW Cedar Canyon Road to the west slough to photograph waterfowl, nutria, and maybe an elk or otter. Swans, geese, and winter migrants will be arriving 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 6:45 PM at 80° azimuth.
Bring $5 cash, water, headlamp/light source, binoculars/scope, camping chair with blankets, weather appropriate clothing, and all your photography gear. Restroom on site. Adults only, please, and no pets, please.
