The weather forecast is calling for rain and you’re stuck inside watching Seinfeld re-runs and playing Scrabble. Yet, unlike winter runners and hikers in some parts of the country, Northwesterners don’t have to be afraid of turning into Frosty when they go out to play.
Washington and Oregon are home to dozens of trails that remain snow-free all year long. If you’re not afraid to get a little muddy – and a little wet – you won’t have any problem trading the remote control for some of the area’s most rugged winter trails.
Oregon Coast
Oregon is the only coastal state in America that boasts beach access all along its coastline. The Oregon Coast Trail is described in Foghorn Outdoor’s Pacific Northwest Hiking as taking “one day to one lifetime” to complete.
Seaside to Ecola State Park 12 miles round-trip
Just south of Seaside is an easy-to-access, secluded section of the Oregon Coast Trail that winds visitors up and over Tillamook Head to Ecola State Park. Along the way, you’ll gain 1,200 feet of elevation, traverse through lush groves of Sitka spruce and encounter multiple overlooks that open to the turbulent seas below. Many efforts are being made to create better drainage on this sloppy trail, but it remains muddy
all winter.
The agonizing thing about this trek is the steep sections at either end – as soon as you descend to Ecola, you have to turn around and re-climb the same hill to return to Seaside. To shorten this run, go with a group and leave one car at each trailhead.
Directions: From Portland, drive 76 miles west on Highway 26 and then five miles north on Highway 101 to Seaside. Make a right on Avenue U and then turn left on Sunset Boulevard. Follow the road until it dead-ends at the parking lot on the south side of the road.
Essential Map: visit the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Web site at www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/coast_trail_guide.pdfcontact or call (800) 551-6949.
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia Rive Gorge Trail is 35.5 miles of moss, waterfalls, old growth forest and basalt rock walls. In the summertime, visitors flock to the Gorge to view its many famous falls. But in the winter, these trails remain an oasis for Portland-area residents, as they remain snow and (somewhat) tourist-free.
Angel’s Rest to Multnomah Falls Nne miles round-trip
Many people know about the Gorge’s Angel’s Rest, Wahkeena Falls, and Multnomah Falls trails, but not everyone knows that the three can be linked together to make a nine-mile loop. If that sounds too ambitious, opt for the five-mile loop between Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls and you will still receive a killer quad workout.
Ruthless runners should park at the Angel’s Rest trailhead and climb 1,400 feet to this spectacular basalt viewpoint above the Columbia River. After pausing for a good look and a few swigs of water, continue 2.6 miles east on a narrow, flat trail toward Wahkeena Springs. At the springs, take the Wahkeena Trail up the hill 0.4 miles to a four-way intersection. Here, consult the map posted at the trail junction and make sure that you are headed east on the Larch Mountain trail toward Multnomah Falls.
A crown of mixed Douglas fir forest will keep you dry as you make the 1.5-mile traverse toward the country’s second highest year-round waterfall. Following Multnomah Creek – be careful, this section is very rocky and can be slippery – head one mile down to the falls until you reach the parking area. Make a left at the historic lodge and you’ll see a trail that parallels the road back to Wahkeena Falls. If you started here and ran the five-mile loop, you will be happy to see your car and warm clothes. If you started at Angel’s Rest, you’ll have to run along the road for another 2.6 miles.
Directions: From Portland, take eastbound I-84 to Bridal Veil exit #28. The Angel’s Rest trailhead is right off the exit on the south side of the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Essential Map: Green Trails Map 428. Bridal Veil and Multnomah Falls areas. For more information, contact the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area at (541) 386-2333.
Bainbridge Island
Seattle-area residents don’t have to go far to find old-growth forest, wetlands and wildlife habitat. Just a short ferry ride away is Bainbridge Island and a collection of short, underused trails that beckon runners, hikers and mountain bikers. The Grand Forest, owned by the Bainbridge Island Park District, is a collection of three areas that contain 280 acres and an estimated 54,000 trees. The Grand Forest includes a two-mile signed trail accessible from Mandus Olson Road, a one-mile trail that parallels Miller Road accessible from just north of Miller and Tolo Roads, and several other unsigned trails used by residents over the years.
A new gem, managed by the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, is located on the northern border of Gazzum Lake Park and Wildlife Preserve, a 318-acre forest and wetlands in the southwest quadrant of Bainbridge Island. Known as the Close Property, visitors can access a breathtaking ravine that leads down to a 550-foot beach. Park at Gazzum Lake and be prepared for a steep, muddy descent down to the beach.
Directions: You’ll want to drive or (even better) ride your bike to the island, as neither the Grand Forest nor Gazzum Lake are within walking distance of the ferry terminal.
Essential Maps: Pick up a map at the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce’s kiosk near the ferry landing or call (206) 842-3700.
For more information, see Bainbridge Island Parks and Recreation: www.biparks.org/parks/information.html or call (206) 842-2306 and the Bainbridge Island Land Trust; www.bi-landtrust.org/landtrust/projects/default.htm or call (206) 842-1216.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
At 1,600-feet Cougar isn’t exactly a “mountain.” But this rolling expanse of greenery on Seattle’s eastside offers peak trail running experiences. With 50 miles of trails packed into 3,000 acres of open space, you’ll not tire from routine. Much of this King County Park is blanketed by a lush green canopy and speckled with waterfalls and salmon streams. You’ll feel far removed from the urban din of Puget Sound, despite being merely five miles from downtown Bellevue.
Cougar Mountain is no secret place. Hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and trail runners come here in throngs. With trails ranging from easy to difficult, there’s plenty of room for everyone. With an elevation range from 200 to 1,600 feet, it does not snow here, but it certainly gets wet! When visiting in the winter, prepare for a mud bath, especially along the low-lying trails near Long Marsh and Coal Creek. Numerous high points offer views, except for Cougar’s highest summit, Wilderness Peak – good hill training is what you receive for your effort on this trail.
Cougar Mountain is a labyrinth so be sure to bring a map – unless, of course, you want to get lost in the fantastic sea of trails. In either case, have fun for you’ll not run out of options at Cougar Mountain.
Directions: Easiest access is from the Red Town Trailhead off of the Newcastle Coal Creek Road (exit 13 on I-90, follow Lakemont Boulevard South 4 miles) and the Wilderness Creek Trailhead off of SR 900 (3 miles south off of exit 1-5 on I-90).
Essential Map: Green Trails Map No. 203S Cougar Mtn/Squak Mtn. For more information, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/rentals/pommar99.htm or call (206) 296-4232
– Craig Romano of Seattle is the Trails Editor for Outdoors NW and is an avid hiker and runner, having completed six marathons, including Boston.
– Becky Brun of Portland is the Editor of Outdoors NW and has completed various trail races, including the Bellingham Chuckanut 50K and the Gorge Games Half-Marathon.
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