About us
A group of people who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, trail running, and cycling. Our mission is to serve the outdoors-loving community by providing unique, challenging, and wholesome outdoor experiences with respect for the environment and people.
NW Wilderness Policies (Last edited May 21, 2018)
Attendance:
NW Wilderness has a “three strikes, you're out” policy for no-shows. If a member does not show up for three events that the member signed up for in a 12 month period the member will be banned from the group for a period of one year. A warning letter will be sent after the first or second no-show to make sure the member is aware of the policy.
Liability:
NW Wilderness and its leaders assume no liability for accidents or other mishaps that happens to a member during an event or the ride to or from the event. Each member needs to participate within his/her comfort level and take responsibility for his/her own safety, first by not signing up for events outside the member's comfort level and second by not following directions or taking advice that might put them in danger.
Preparedness:
Each member needs to come prepared for the activity he/she signs up for. That includes being in physical shape for the event. It also means bringing the proper equipment such as the ten essentials, non-cotton clothing, appropriate footwear and enough food and water.
Leadership requirements:
Any aspiring leaders are required to have attended at least five NW Wilderness events from at least two different leaders; exceptions are made for individuals with extensive track record with (an)other group(s). Each leader has virtual autonomy to lead events that they see fit as long as the event fits under the type of activities this group participates in. The leader is responsible to making sure he/she stays inside his/her skill and comfort level. New leaders agree to not lead events with other hiking groups- old leaders are grandfathered in. Each leader agrees to lead no fewer than three events each year. New leaders will be assigned a mentor to help them during their first three events.
Donations:
Group membership is free, but donations are strongly encouraged in order to offset the cost of upkeep ($180 per year of website fees, group meeting expenses, etc.). Contributions can be made here: https://secure.meetup.com/NW-Wilderness/contribute/
Thank you kindly for any past or future contributions!
Upcoming events
2
Cape Lookout hike for Whale Watch Week- Oregon Coast
Cape Lookout, Cape Trail, Cape Lookout Trailhead, Cloverdale, OR, USWhale Watch Week is March 21 to 29. We had some whale sighting success at this location a few years back, but we'll keep our expectations tempered. Let’s see if we can glimpse any of those magnificent marine mammals, as they migrate from Baja California back up north to the Bering Sea! No promises, but maybe we'll get lucky!
*Difficulty: Easy (Moderate for non-hikers), but expect mud
** Hiking distance*: Only 5 miles RT
*** Elevation gain**: 960 feet
** Total time*: We’ll be heading back by the end of lunch hour, unless people want less/ more time for the main event; I’m flexible. Plan on a couple hours of much-needed exercise, but most of our time will be spent on *hopeful* whale watching at the viewpoint
*** Permits**: None. But depending on where you park, there may be a $5/car fee
** Meet at*: Cape Lookout Trailhead at 9 am (or carpool from Sunset Transit Center by 7:30)
*** Driving distance**: 80 miles from Beaverton area (For example: Carpooling from Sunset Transit Center at 7:30 am)
** Dogs*: Possibly, but be aware that we’ll be hiking along a cliff with a dizzying 400 ft. dropoff
The plan:
From the trailhead, we’ll choose the “Cape Trail” option and make our way through an old growth coastal forest. We’ll continue past a crashed Air Force B-17 memorial plaque from WWII, and drop down until we catch a view of Three Arch Rocks. The views get better and better as we continue down to the end of the cape… And hopefully they will include either whales, sea lions, seals, seagulls, pelicans, or all of the above!After taking a much longer than typical time to enjoy a snack, the wildlife, and the views of the mighty sea below... we’ll make our way back up to the trailhead. I’m cool with either stopping for lunch on the drive home, or calling it a day. Your call.
*Here is further info about Cape Lookout state park: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=134
My preferred hiking style is fast, but I won’t be pushing the pace on this one. Though other than stopping at viewpoints, I do expect us to keep moving. It’s not far. We’ll roll through this at a moderate pace, enjoying short breaks as needed for snacks, photos, and viewpoints. There is no such thing as too many photo opps.
*** Bring**: Binoculars (Or bum a pair from someone else who remembers to bring some), sturdy shoes or boots, water, snacks, warm layers, a rain jacket, and a camera. A camp chair for the whale-watching viewpoint isn’t a bad idea, either.
Though it’s highly improbable that we’ll run into any wilderness-type emergencies, in general it is also recommended that hikers always carry the, um, ** “ELEVEN” **Essentials:
- Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
- Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
- Insulation (extra clothing)
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)
- First-aid supplies
- Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
- Knife/tools
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (extra water)
- Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wild.
- WHALE sheeeoot!
PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.
6 attendees
Evening Conditioning Series (Marquam/Terwilliger)
Lair Hill Park, SW Barbur Blvd & SW Hooker Street, Portland, OR, USIt's time to get back into hiking condition! The rains are diminishing, the days are getting longer, and we all want to be in better shape for a NW Wilderness hike. Here's a series of evening urban PDX outings that are perfect for sculpting our calves, enticing our senses and possibly reward us with stunning sunsets.
We will hike for approximately two hours at a 2.5 mph pace. Although these conditioning hikes can hardly be described as a wilderness outing, everyone still needs to be prepared for slippery trail conditions, have appropriate clothing, sufficient hydration, and situational awareness. There will be some stairs, street crossings, and possibly parallel parking challenges.
- Meeting Location: Lair Hill Park (Near the swing set)
290 SW Hooker St, Portland, OR 97201 - Distance: 4 to 5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 500 to 1100 ft
- Start Time: 6:00 pm (please arrive 10 minutes earlier)
- End Time: 8:00 pm
- Dogs: Yes but must be on a short leash at all times.
Distance and Elevation will vary depending on the many different routes we may take, but do expect distances of 4 to 5 miles, and elevation gains between 500 and 1100 feet.
12 attendees- Meeting Location: Lair Hill Park (Near the swing set)
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