About us
Welcome to the Northwest Hikers 55 Plus website.
FYI: This is a “meetup group”, NOT the “meetup+” which requires a paid subscription, and additional benefits.
Here is the difference between the two: https://www.meetup.com/.blog/new-to-meetup-plus-October-2024/
Our leadership team is made up of volunteers who enjoy experiencing the great scenery the Pacific Northwest region has to offer. We invite like-minded novice or experienced hikers who are ages 55 and up to join us when they can.
To enjoy our surroundings as well as allow for visiting with our fellow hikers, WE SET A SOCIAL PACE and stay with the group.
To become a MEMBER, first, request to join on our website, second, follow the instructions that are sent to you which will include some of the requirements below. You remain in PENDING until further notice.
1. A CLEAR recent picture of yourself without sunglasses is required so we can recognize you on our hikes; your first real name and last name initial.
NOTE: “translucent sunglasses” are acceptable if face is clearly recognizable.
2. An annual WAIVER: Consent, Release Agreement, and Authorization form with a handwritten signature.
3. An annual $10 fee which covers the $389.48 Meet up website expenses, donation to WTA and Northwest Avalanche Center, and annual picnic.
When both waiver and fee are received, the symbol @ and the year goes on your profile, ex:@26. This symbol signifies you are an official member, and can rsvp on hikes and attend its events.
THANK YOU,
Northwest Hikers 55 Plus team
Upcoming events
7
Labyrinth + Coyote Wall - 2nd of 3 wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge
Syncline Trail - East Trailhead, Old Hwy 8, White Salmon, WA 98672, White Salmon, WA, USSecond of 3 wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge. The Labyrinth is a maze of basalt outcroppings in a landscape stripped bare by the Missoula Floods. The thin soils built up since then support an explosion of spring wildflowers, making this a popular early-season Gorge hike. Labyrinth Creek, its waterfall, photogenic towers of columnar basalt, and a panorama of riveting views make this a hike not to miss.
Meeting date/time – Wed Apr22, 9:30AM. Meet at TH. Ready to hike when we’re all geared up.
Trailhead - Syncline Trail - East Trailhead (google map link - https://maps.app.goo.gl/V6FBrzqsrW1nuxiS6) There is limited parking at this TH, carpooling is needed.
Pace – casual; there will be time for photos, flower identification, etc.
Distance/gain - 6.5 miles, 1700'WTA - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/catherine-creek-the-labyrinth
Friends of the Columbia Gorge - https://gorgefriends.org/find-a-hike/catherine-creek-labyrinth/- A portable toilet is at the Catherine Creek trailhead, 1.5 miles east on Old Hwy 8.
- All the gorgeous flowers come with a price -- be sure to check for ticks!
- Always beware for poison oak
- We may have to sit on the ground for lunch/snack, bring something to sit on.
- Carry your 10 essentials, including rain gear
- No pass is required
Route Map (Labyrinth + Coyote Wall)
https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/route/5abc11c1-18cb-4d18-abf2-596b109fbd1d/Hike leader is staying at Westcliff Lodge (https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hood-river-4070-west-cliff-drive.html). ). Rooms feature a refrigerator, microwave, coffee/tea maker, flat screen TV with cable channels, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and free parking (https://www.westclifflodge.com/rooms). Westcliff Lodge is 20-minute drive time to the Syncline TH.
3 attendees
Lyle Cherry Orchard - 3rd of 3 wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge
Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead, Lewis and Clark Hwy, Lyle, WA 98635, Lyle, WA, USThird of 3 wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge. This little-known gem of a hike on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge offers spectacular views of the Columbia River, amazing spring wildflowers and an old garry oak forest of gnarled old trees. The trail is midway along the Rowena Gap, where the Columbia R cut through folded layers of basalts. The result is a spectacular scene of multiple basalt flows shorn into 1,000-foot-high cliffs.
Meeting date/time – Thurs Apr23, 9:30AM. Meet at TH. Ready to hike when we’re all geared up.
Trailhead - Lyle Cherry Orchard Trailhead (google map link - https://maps.app.goo.gl/iWdKArB59WwBRotSA)
Pace – casual; there will be time for photos, flower identification, etc.
Distance/gain – 7 miles, 1500’ gain
Route map - https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/route/30b8925b-b8e2-49a3-bfcf-fd77ba1d10b5/WTA - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lyle-cherry-orchard
Friends of the Columbia Gorge - https://gorgefriends.org/find-a-hike/lyle-cherry-orchard/- Poison oak frequently borders the trail here and elsewhere on the hike.
- All the gorgeous flowers come with a price -- be sure to check for ticks!
- Always beware for poison oak
- We may have to sit on the ground for lunch/snack, bring something to sit on.
- Carry your 10 essentials, including rain gear
- No toilet at TH
- No pass is required
Hike leader is staying at Westcliff Lodge (https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hood-river-4070-west-cliff-drive.html). Rooms feature a refrigerator, microwave, coffee/tea maker, flat screen TV with cable channels, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and free parking (https://www.westclifflodge.com/rooms). Westcliff Lodge is 25-minute drive time to the Lyle Cherry Orchard TH.
3 attendees
Squak Mountain – Let’s tag Central & West Peaks (social pace)
Margaret's Way Trailhead, 190th Ave SE, Issquah, WA, USGet ready for summer hiking😁 Starting at Margaret’s Way, this is a reasonably good conditioner through a lovely springtime forest. We’ll head up Margaret’s Way trail; then, do a clockwise loop that takes us to Central Peak, Bullitt Fireplace and West Peak (in that order) before reconnecting with Margaret’s Way trail to head back to the TH. If the weather is fine, we might pop over to Debbie’s View to see if we can spy Mt. Rainier.
There are steep and rocky sections along this route. Good boots and trekking poles are advised. The plan will be to stop at Central Peak for our lunch break – this is ~6 miles into the trip – so be prepared to eat some snacks to fuel the first 6 miles.
Meeting date/time – Wed May 01, 9:30AM. Meet at TH. Ready to hike when we’re all geared up.
Trailhead – Margaret’s Way TH (google map link - https://maps.app.goo.gl/m4YYYnshQbtJvHpF8) Issaquah, WA 98027
Distance/gain - 10 miles, 2600' gain
Pace – social
WTA - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/central-peak
WTA - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/margarets-way
WTA - https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/west-peak- PortaPotties at trailhead
- We may have to sit on the ground for lunch/snack, bring something to sit on.
- Carry your 10 essentials, including rain gear
- No Pass required
Route Map – https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/route/4a25906c-b5c6-4aec-a0a3-eeda661faa30/
Weather - https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-122.055&lat=47.5043 attendees
Past events
635
Group links
Organizers
Members
92
