Anybody in Oregon?

“What a cool place!!!

I know there are tons of people from WA here, but what about OR??

Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, the Three Sisters...St. Helens (oh, I guess that's WA)...where to go first?

Hey, how come you can't pump your own gas in OR?”

“Hey...My favorite place to hike in Oregon thus far is Mt. Jefferson Wilderness; mostly because everybody else hits Mt. Hood and Three Sisters first. If your into snowshoeing let me know. I know a killer place near the Santiam Pass that doesnt require any off road driving to access the trailhead.

As for pumping your own gas...I kind of like it.”

“Nope. Never been there either.”

“The Oregon law re NOT being able to pump your own gas at stations in the state was a lame political attempt some years ago to create jobs at the lower rungs on the ol' economic ladder. The station owner gets fined if a motorist tries to pump his or her own! That's why thye attendants run out screaming "STOP!!! STOP!!!" when they see a Californian (or whomever) get out of their car and reach for the pump nozzle. There's more quaint and strange in Oregon than the gas thing and all those red suspenders (in former logging communities.) I live in a little town called Coquille and we call it "living on the set of Northern Exposure, only without the moose." As for hikes, there are several dozen excellent hikes in the Coast Range, too.”

“The coast range? Is there a map I can buy?

All I know is I have never seen so many people with North Face jackets in one place in my whole life! Does everybody backpack in that state or what? I thought I died and went to heaven.
Ü”

“Hey Biz, did notice in another thread that you visited our state and didn't even say hello. There are quite a few of us here, check out the Trailtalk Contributers by State link on Phil's page. A few of us you met on the Oly hike, a couple of us you just ignored on the way out. ;)

Living in Northern Oregon you get the best of both worlds. Mt. Jefferson is like my backyard but I much prefer Goat Rocks in Washington. Both about the same distance. For drop dead scenery, my favorite place is Eagle Cap in NE Oregon. Looks more like a misplaced section of the Sierras. There is a really awesome winter trip you can take into the Wallow River Valley. If you know where to go, Three Sisters is great and if you get off the beaten path, you will find some solitude. Just ask BC. The Coast Range is okay but you won't find much "real" wilderness there. If you're looking for wild coast, head up to the Olympic NP. I'd give links to pictures but with the recent demise of Photopoint, well, they aren't posted anymore. :(

Now, we could get started about Southern Oregon, Mt. Lakes, the Siskiyou Wilderness, the Illinois River all awesome places. Then there is N. Cal with the Trinity Alps and the Marble Mountains. Hey, it's good to live in the middle. You get the benefit of your own state and can share the best of the others as well!

Next time you're coming out this way, drop an e-mail. I'm sure we can muster up a few of us to show you around the area.”

“Hey Biz - China Chas is the guy to talk to, when it comes to Oregon's best places. I had a great time, down there, checking out the Three Sisters Wilderness and meeting the Oregon TTers.
Trip Report & Pics

Ya, I was one of the guys, that you ignored, on your way out, from the Olympic Trip..... He He Better luck next time....
Enjoy your trip!... Hodgeman (aka bc_trailguy)

Hey Chas- Maybe you could show Biz one or two of your favourite spots.... I'm sure Mrs. Chas wouldn't mind :-)”

“Hodgeman, didn't I talk to you for like 10 minutes?

Seriously guys, this state is so great. EVERYBODY is an outdoor freak.

There only bad thing is I would have to start drinking coffee..”

“Ya - you definitely need to be a coffee drinker, to hang out in the PNW. I now have six shops within a mile, or so, of my house..... and I'm only counting the Starbucks. LOL”

“LOL. I didn't even know what a latte was until I went there (coffee and AZ=hot? don't think so).

It's like a weird cult thing.”

“Don't worry, You'll be hooked, in no time!”

“Hey Hodge, Santa found me one of them thar coffee filters like you use. Woo Hoo, real coffee on the trail!

And, by the way, Mrs. Chas would have no problem with me showing Biz a thing or two, she would probably be there too.”

“Cool CC, I will be out your way a bunch of times this year

Ü”

“Good news, on the coffee hardware, Chas. Did she get ya some GM and Khalua type fixins, to go with it? ;-)”

“By the way, Chas, Ya know I'm always up, for a little road trip, to Oregon. I'd hate to see ya out numbered by lovely ladies.”

“Ogregon.... Coquille, eh??? I spend most of my days here... Have long have you lived here? Want to share trail tips??? I'll start... My favorite beach hike is Tahkenitch Trail above Reedsport... Enjoy the snow last night?”

“no, but if I move there I will definetely look you up. There are not that many chics that hike.

do you mind if I ask what age range you're in? 30's-40's, 50's-60's?

not that it matters, just that you call yourself a Lady. It makes you sound 'mature'”

“Hey Chas... How about putting together a trip in Oregon in May for Biz, Hodgeman, me, and anyone else interested? My arm is healing well... Doctor promised I can begin backpacking again in May... How about Timberline Trail? I'm open for ideas!”

“oops, I just realized this is like a private conversation between you and oregoni.

pardon me. excuse me (turns red)

ciao! I'll leave you 2 alone”

“LOL... Mature??? OH my... I need to change my name! I'm 49, but reverting back to 19 and having a great time! Email me anytime you're going to be in the area... I'm always looking for someone to hike with...”

“Not private (can any post in TT really be private?).. I think that there needs to be a least 2 in the conversation for it to qualifty, so glad you chimed in!”

“Well hey LH, haven't seen you on board for awhile. Glad to hear the arm is better. What did you do to it? Smacking them costal troublemakers around.

May would be pretty early for the Timberline Trail besides it's one of my least favorite. Great to say you did it but the scenery is, well, mixed. Sure you have Mt. Hood but look anywhere away from the peak and you get great views of Oregon's finest clearcuts.

There are a group of us Cal/Ore hikers that get together every Memorial weekend to do something. Last year we did the Siskiyou Wilderness. Year before that the Trinity's. We need to start planning soon though. If it's in Oregon this year those Californians will need to get their boarder crossing papers in order. ;)

Let's see what happens with the snow in the next couple of months and I'll put something together. Think you might make one this year. LOL

Hodge, you better come down, looks like I'm getting over run!”

“Hey! Sounds like a challenge!!!”

“Ladyhiker, I guess you really done a number on that arm, no BPacking until May, what a bummer, was it your casting arm? I am recovering from knee surgery and will be able to start hiking by the end of next month. Maybe you, Ogregon [and anyone else interested] and I could do some dayhikes on the coast. Ogregon, I promise I won’t wear my red suspenders.
Gotta get in shape for the Memorial Day Hike.”

“OldTimer... Maybe I'll wear MY red suspenders!! :-) I'm definitely ready for some day hiking! Between your fixed up knee and my arm, it'll be interesting...Can always plan on hiking the dunes and beaches even if it rains. Or somewhere 1/2 between us would work too. Anyone else interested? I plan on taking a few Sundays off in the next couple of months, so email me if you have a free day.

Sounds like the Memorial Weekend is a fun annual hike. I'll have to show up for that one... Might surprise Chas if I do...

Yes.. of course it was the casting arm. I'm going to get it back into shape before I go on the Llama trip to Virginia Lakes with Mel in June. Sounds like there will be some great fishing!”