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- Photographing the Roosevelt Elk Rut & Fishhawk FallsJewell Meadows Wildlife Area, Seaside, ORUSD 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, dry 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.
***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. Spectacular flush restrooms at elk viewing site (I mean that, it's the nicest facilities I've ever seen!) but none at trailhead. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
- Private Picking Event: Free Blueberries, Apples, Grapes, Pears! Hood RiverWilinda Blueberry Patch, Hood River, ORUSD 10.00
Once again, the best blueberry farm in Hood River has opened its gates just for The Contemplative Hiking Society and this time we can pick unlimited fruit on the entire property! Blueberries, blackberries, apples, grapes, pears--if you can get to it, it's yours.
I found Wilinda Blueberry Patch years ago when some visiting relatives wanted the U-pick experience in the Pacific Northwest fruit basket, but without the crowds. This quiet organic farm just minutes from Interstate 84 had it all--a variety of blueberries from succulent little deep purple ones to pale blue monsters the size of grapes; a large lily pond that collects ducks, herons, and riparian songbirds; and a stately view of snow-capped Mt. Adams. And the owners are sweet as pie. (See what I did there?)
All proceeds at Wilinda go to the Fistula Foundation that helps women and girls in Uganda, Linda will tell you the story. She is offering her fruit to us for free today so please donate a little something to her wonderful cause--I will be!
GET THERE 10-15 MIN. EARLY so you can pay your event fee and be ready to meet Linda before we start. You'll be standing under the full sun and brushing up against plants and maybe brambles, so a hat, pants, and insect repellent are recommended. They have potable water for your water bottle and to rinse the sweetness off your hands afterwards. Baby wipes work well, too. Bring a box or rigid container to set your bags in for the drive back home so the berries don't get jostled or bruised. When you are done pickin', feel free to wander to the pond to photograph bullfrogs, birds, and snow white water lilies. Restroom on site.
Afterwards, we'll drive up to nearby Panorama Point County Park & Viewpoint to take in a sweeping view of Mt. Adams to the north, Mt. Hood to the south, and an endless patchwork of orchards and farms below. We'll set up our camp chairs and relax with our lunches and the fruits (literally!) of our labor. No parking fee. Restroom on site.
Directions from Willinda to Panorama Point: Backtrack onto Interstate 84 heading east. At 2.2 mi take exit 64 towards Government Camp. Turn right onto Button Bridge Road. At 0.6 mi. turn left on Eastside Road. At 1.5 mi. turn right and follow the curving road up to the top. There is no place to sit down, so bring that camp chair.
Bring 10$ cash, camp chair, lunch, water, binoculars/scope, camera, insect repellent, bags and a box to put the blueberries and other fruit in, and WEATHER appropriate clothing. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
- Herman the Sturgeon and the Bonneville Dam Salmon SpawnSpruce Gifts and Provisions, Cascade Locks, ORUSD 10.00
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 Coho and Chinook salmon of Oregon are doing right now. The shallows are shimmying with red and silver bodies vying for the best nursery rooms. They climb a massive fish ladder to make it over the Bonneville Dam--one look at their workout routine and you'll never bitch about a steep hike again.
We'll meet at the door of the Spruce Gifts and Provisions gift shop and head out on a walking tour of the gardens of Bonneville Hatchery, including a celebrity meet and greet with Herman (if he's feelin' it). We'll circumvent the marshy Mitchell Creek Wetland Area for a little birding and reassemble at 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 out across Robin's Island and Bradford Island into the middle of the Columbia River to view massive Chinook and Coho salmon scale the 60' high Bonneville Fish Ladder from above and below! That's right, they have a glass partition where you can witness underwater antics, just like with Herman. From here, you can tour the indoor and outdoor exhibits or join me out at the dam overflow parking area for lunch where a mesmerizing fury of white water churns and roars you into a wonderful state of relaxation (if the drought allows). Restrooms on site, free parking.
We'll be walking less than 2 mi. total on relatively flat paved trails with occasional stairs but you are welcome to bring trekking poles. The fall bird migration is on and autumn colors are starting, so keep your eyes peeled for beauty everywhere.
Bring $10 cash, water, snacks/lunch, binoculars, camera equipment, WEATHER appropriate clothing. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
- Oregon Donkey Sanctuary Field TripOregon Donkey Sanctuary, Oregon City, ORUSD 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.
