I am looking for an easy-moderate trail in OR somewhere between 10-20 miles (roundtrip) to take my father on next spring or summer. While the hike is a ways away, I'd like to get some details together and present the trip as a present (hah!) for xmas.

Does anyone know of a good hike (scenic, for sure!) that meets this criteria? A letterbox or two on the journey would be fantastic, but not necessarily essential.
oh, I forgot to say this on the other board, but I'd like it to be a 2 day hike, camping or yurt-camping somewhere in the middle. Don't know if that changes anything, but there you go...

Thank you!

~HP~

Not aware of any serious trails that route through this particular campground in the Blue Mountains (Emigrant Springs State Historic Park between Pendleton & La Grande) but it does offer a lot of natural exposure to the Oregon Trail and yurts/cabins on site. We've camped there several times and usually had the place to ourselves (like the times when it's pouring down raining or snowy).

http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore-Oregon/Eastern-Oregon/Outdoor-Recreation/Camp-Oregon/Camping/Emigrant-Springs-State-Heritage-Area.aspx

I'm sure locals from the area would know if there are some longer hikes that link through this area. We've only explored some of the shorter routes as we're usually cruising through on our way to Boise. It's beautiful (in a Central Oregon sort of a way)! It's the first thing that came to mind when I saw your request. Various sites about the park mention that hiking trails are available. No known letterboxes along the way, unless you count the few that have popped up over the years at the I-84 rest areas along the way. You could always change that, though. ;)

Sounds like a great gift!!! Enjoy your adventure!

daelphinus

The locals of Orygun should have a good idea of a good place to hike, but I know of a couple of places that would fit the bill too. And have lots of photo and letterboxing too!

Silverfalls State Park in Silverton Ore. : http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_211.php

Quote from park information:

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The Canyon Trail is a nationally recognized trail system that leads hikers along the banks of the north and south forks of Silver Creek. It takes you to 10 majestic waterfalls, ranging from the grand South Falls (177 feet), to the delicate Drake Falls (27 feet). Four of these falls have an amphitheater-like surrounding where you can walk behind the falls and feel the misty, crisp spray. The park has over 25 miles of trails for hiking (14 miles of horse trails) that are pet friendly.

Here is the map of the park:http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/silverfalls_map.pdf

The letterbox's : http://www.atlasquest.com/lboxes/showboxinfo.html?gBoxId=19

I have visited the falls many times and have always view each and every visit as though it were my first. The north falls is soooo cooool, 177 foot drop and you can walk behind it too.

This is just one of the many places in Oregon, I'm sure you will have a great time.

TK

I'm sorry about this short post, I don't know how or if you can edit a post. But here is another web site of the Silverfalls state park. I think this one is a little more user friendly and has a lot more pictures to offer. :http://www.oregon.com/hiking/silver_falls.cfm

Just a side note, Before my wife and I got married, I took her up to see the falls. We walked around to several different falls until we got to the Drake falls. It was in the summer and the weather was warm. We walked behind the falls along a narrow rock path. You could reach out and tough the water as it fell from above. We then proceded to do some Tai Chi behind the falls. I did it with my eyes closed....all I can say is WOW!!! Talk about an energy rush, if you would like to know more about my experience, Email me and I fill you in.

TK

At the top of my list for trails where I take out of town visitors is the Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia Gorge. It can be done as a backpack, as there are several designated campsites starting after the four mile point. Alternatively, there's a car camping area at the trailhead. The trail goes past numerous waterfalls and is relatively gentle, gaining only 600 feet in the 6 miles (one way) to Tunnel Falls. This is a classic Gorge hike and has at least seven letterboxes. There are also other trails that radiate from the car camp, such as Wauna Viewpoint (moderate) and Ruckel Creek (difficult) both with letterboxes. What a great gift! I'm sure he'll enjoy it. Funhog

What about the Pacific Crest Trail? I know it runs the entire length of Oregon. I couldn't tell you anything about it though :) But I bet Ryan could.

Maiden

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What about the Pacific Crest Trail?

Some places on the PCT in OR which would also have camping include Timothy Lake, Lost Lake, and Olallie Lake. There are a ton of letterboxes in the Olallie Lake area and at least one around Timothy Lake and Lost Lake.

Okay this Californo is putting his 1 1/2 cents in. The Rogue River trail outside of Grants Pass runs the length of the Wild and Scenic section (so designated by uncle sam) and has some camping sites that are usually full of rafters, but there are several off the river that are never used. There are lodges along the way that you can book if you do not wish to camp, but they should be booked ahead.
There are two semi-lonely LBs that are at Paradise Lodge area and there are a few that are closer to Grants Pass. The trail is not looped so you would either have to set up a shuttle or come back the way you came.
The trail is not used to the same degree that the river is, so while you would not have a lot of folks walking the trails there would be a safety factor with the amount of river traffic.

Don

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The Rogue River trail outside of Grants Pass runs the length of the Wild and Scenic section

Man oh man, I have been wanting to do this one for ages. I have a manila envelope from the BLM with all the info, maps and pictures on my desk as we speak. You can do it as a one way and pay someone to shuttle your car to your ending point. Better yet, you could raft it downriver and walk back. It's 40 miles from Grave Creek boat ramp to Foster Bar but you wouldn't have to do the whole thing and there are lots and lots of hiker camps along the way. I wanna go hiking. Is it summer yet? Funhog

I also left a box there Don.. just found my notes to leave the clues. I need to sit down and write them up this week.

Thank you for the reminder.

Maiden