Oregon Hikers

Out The Back Door—A Hiking Local Trip Report

It is a two hour drive to where my hiking sirens call. So I’ve looked closer to home. And what is out my back door is interesting and has advantages.

I don’t buy gas. No worries about car clouting or the right permit. I go right when my interest spikes.

For sure, I’ve changed what I look at. I look at the little creek’s water level, the animal tracks, the birds and plants. What has changed since last time?

And in the time I used to use driving to my hike, I’ve done my hike.

How about you? Do you hike local?



Recent Scenes OMBD:

White Crested Sparrow’s Nest--Yesterday, 13 May Oregon White Oak—last week. An agaricus?? Two weeks ago.

Out my back door, I see a giant doing cartwheels, a statue wearing high heels; look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn!

Adam, your back door is way different than mine!! Got photos?

I live in the country, but I've seen amazing sights in Portland Town. At about NW Everett and 20th there's a private home with the largest umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) I've seen. We walked to a restaurant and its beech tree lined court yard was filled with porcini, or at least porcini look-alikes (Boletus edulus).

Anyone out there with an urban/suburban back door adventure to share?


The Little Creek Roars, April 8th.
Frost February 7th

BursideBob, how literally do you mean "out the back door"—leaving on foot, or just a short drive?

adamschneider wrote: ↑

May 14th, 2019, 12:44 pm

Out my back door, I see a giant doing cartwheels, a statue wearing high heels; look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn!

I hadn't heard that it years. Thanks for the reminder for a re-listen.

On foot and usually early when the birds are most active, people not so much, and before the sun can melt any frost. Coffee helps a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeJuUqDqY00

Once or twice a year when the roads are all snowed in or we just can't be bothered driving we head for oxbow park from home on foot. We are about a mile away from the "back door" entrance. We can do anywhere between 6 - 10 miles depending on the loop.

https://guy.smugmug.com/Outdoors-Hikes- ... rk-190224/

I live in SW Portland. We have a local trails organization that has mapped several trail corridors and loops using quiet streets, parks, and public corridors.

My wife and I walk out of our house several times a week, just 3 - 5 miles, delighting in taking different routes.

The cottontails come out in the evenings.

The sun sets over the Coast Range - viewed from Gabriel Park.

We can see Mt. Hood from near Spring Garden Park and also near Terwilliger Blvd.

Woods Park puts on a trillium display.

We've found three kinds of salamanders as well as newts.

From time to time, raccoons pop guiltily out of someone's yard.

Last year, on an afternoon run and about 1/4 mile from my house, I found myself jogging behind a coyote. It kept looking back at me, like "Whaaat . . .?"

Hiking within 20 miles of my house is becoming the norm. Portland traffic sucks, the trailheads are getting full at the time I used to be one of the first 3 cars there, the trails are full, and it takes up most of the day. I'm substituting convenience for the big wow! factor. The little wows are more interesting now that I've done most of the USFS trails dozens of times.