mountains

Synopsis of Summer: Splendid

Gallery

 

Hardy Falls (Columbia River Gorge)
Crater Lake (OR)
Punch Bowl Falls (Columbia River Gorge)
Triple Falls (Columbia River Gorge)
Providence Bridge Pedal (Portland, OR)
Oneonta Falls (Columbia River Gorge)
Columbia River Gorge (Oregon side)
Mt. Scott (Crater Lake, OR)
Stand up Paddleboarding (Portland, OR)
Wildlife Safari (Winston, OR)
Ponytail Falls (Columbia River Gorge)
Pool of Winds (Columbia River Gorge)
Mountain Biking (Hood River, OR)
Kona, Hawaii
Mt. Hood from Mirror Lake
Tom, Dick and Harry (Mt. Hood)
Manta Ray Dive (Kona, Hawaii) – Photo credit: Hawaii Oceanic

With one of the hottest summers on record, I found myself extra incentivized to find ways to cool down and enjoy outdoor time. Hiking is a standard practice for me, but I also expanded my horizons and added mountain biking (a first!), stand up paddleboarding and a Wildlife Safari to my summertime activity.

Write ups are still in the works for some of these adventures, so in the meantime, enjoy this little gallery of my hiking, biking, and paddling over the past three months.

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The Unparalleled Cascade Views from Tom Dick and Harry

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If you’re searching for an iconic view of Oregon’s tallest mountain, Tom Dick and Harry must be added to your “must hike” list. A mere hour from downtown Portland, the Mirror Lake trailhead will take you from trafficked Highway 26 to an impressive overlook granting views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and even Mr. Rainier on very clear days.

I have twice hiked the Mirror Lake trail during the winter months when the lake is coated in beautiful white, but this was my first excursion in the summer time and first ever to the upper division of Tom Dick and Harry. Surprisingly, when you’re not trudging through snow, this hike goes quickly to the lake, but is absolutely worth the added jaunt to the top.

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Hello, Spring!

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It’s the first day of Spring, and I’m delighted to say it actually feels like it here in Portland. The plants are budding, the skies are (thinking) about parting, and the temperature is slowly, but surely rising. This time of year, I’m compelled to start migrating from my snowboard to my hiking poles and enjoy some of my favorite Spring things. Continue reading