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, wildlife viewing, peak wildflower blooms, prime rockhounding spots, unique natural features, 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.
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 (3)
See all- Guided Rockhounding Tour: Short BeachShort Beach, Oregon, OR$10.00
Join me on a guided rockhounding and sea glassing tour of Short Beach (now with brand new stairs!) near Oceanside. I'll provide rock, bird, and nature ID and teach you how and where to look for all sorts of treasures.
Along this stretch, I have found sea glass in snowy white, brown, and bright green; Caribbean blue chalcedony, carnelian, and agates of white, gold, cream, light green, amber, fire red, and grey; bizarre metamorphic formations; porphyritic basalt; jaspers in red, ochre, yellow, black, and the famous deep forest green Oregon Green Jasper; geodes and crystal-filled cavities; shells such as snow white whelks, sand dollars, clams, turban snails, mussels, shore crab pincers and Dungeness carapaces, three kinds of limpets; and all sorts of freaky sea creature stuff.
Great news! The long set of steep and rickety old wooden stairs is almost done being replaced by a shallower set of gravel and timber steps with a hand rail. Thanks TKO! We'll descend this carefully and slowly hike straight to the farthest northern point on the beach we can safely reach at low tide to enjoy some tidepooling. Then we'll leisurely glean our way back to the beginning for agates and sea glass.
More great news! A small rockslide has revealed a bounty of geodes and tiny crystal-filled cavities with unique formations. If you've got a rock pick, bring it.
We'll cover about 1.25 mi. total very slowly. Much of the beach is sand but we'll be walking over large loose cobble to get to it and negotiating our way around slick rocks while rockhounding, so excellent hiking footwear and trekking poles recommended. There's also a secret place where you can see sizeable chunks of Caribbean blue colored chalcedony embedded in stone but you need to scramble up and over some wet, barnacle-encrusted boulders to get to it. Again: poles.
Alternatively, you are welcome to just take it easy and relax on the big driftwood logs. Peregrine falcons have been spotted nearby and various shore birds are usually around. Short Creek, Larson Creek Falls, and a tiny unnamed creek all empty onto the beach, collecting unique coastal wildflower species at their bases. The waves always curl beautifully and photogenically in this cove, they are mesmerizing to watch. Linger as long as you like, just know that the beach gets more crowded as the morning goes on.
Afterwards, I usually head a few minutes north up the road to the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint (for the good restrooms) and then on to the new Cape Meares Loop Road overlook for a little sea gazing and panoramic photography, you are free to join me or just head straight home. No parking fee either place. There are quite a few trails nearby if you wanna get some more miles in that lovely sea air.
WARNING: Bayocean Road is closed to through traffic for bridge construction, so you must head back to Tillamook via Oceanside and Netarts.
Bring $10 cash, sturdy hiking boots, weather appropriate clothing, trekking poles/walking stick, water, snacks, binoculars, camera equipment, and something to put your rock stash in (I like Ziploc bags). Restroom on site (seasonal portopotty) and nearby at Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
- 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.
- 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.
