8 Pro Tips for Spending a Year Living Out of Your Backpack

Boulder is blessed with a bounty of incredible adventures right in its backyard. Whether exploring the majestic Flatirons, touring the canyons or wandering the foothills, there’s a new side of the city waiting to be discovered around every corner. From the bat cave to Boulder creek, here’s a solid hit list of our favorite must do adventures. 1. Hike the Guardians of the Flatirons Descending South Boulder Peak en route to Bear Peak. James DziezynskiThe three summits that tower above the Flatirons—Green Mountain 8,150 ft., Bear Peak 8,461 ft., and South Boulder Peak 8,549 ft.—can be connected in a variety of ways for an epic day adventure. Expect a good 5,000+ feet of total elevation gain if done as a point to point (about 6.7 miles by the most direct route starting at Gregory Canyon and ending at the South Mesa Trailhead). If you want to make a full loop, the Mesa Trail skirts the base of the trio. Plot your favorite route by using the City of Boulder’s Mountain Parks interactive map . 2. Road Bike Left Hand Canyon to Ward A spring ride up Left Hand Canyon. OK, so Lance Armstrong’s reputation may be slightly tarnished, but nonetheless, one of his favorite training rides when he lived in Boulder is still one of Colorado’s classic canyon climbs . From the Green Briar Inn on Hwy. 36, it’s 16 miles and over 4,000 vertical feet to the odd little town of Ward. To avoid Hwy. 36 altogether, start your ride at Lee Hill Drive and connect into Left Hand Canyon for a few bonus hills. Despite the intimidating stats, most of the climb is gradual on a paved road with a wide shoulder—just watch out for the steep push during the last mile to Ward! 3. Go to the Bat Gates of Mallory Cave At the gates of Mallory Cave. Audra OgilvyMallory Cave is a roosting spot for Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat, a likable fellow who does his part to gobble as many mosquitoes as his tiny belly can hold. Boulder gated off Mallory Cave to protect this important bat habitat. Rather than just install a bland barrier, the city opted to put up a decorative iron gate that is worth seeing. Mallory Cave is a fun hike with a nifty scramble up to the gate itself. Batman shirt optional but preferred. 4. Climb the Third Flatiron Midway up the Third Flatiron. Clare RedaThe sustained 5.4 climbing on the third Flatiron offers 1,300 vertical feet of trad climbing goodness. Usually done in eight pitches, this classic route is a great introduction to multi-pitch climbing as well as a fun place for experienced climbers to get a solid climbing workout on one of the most amazing features in Boulder. There are plenty of other variations as well for those looking to ascend via routes other than the standard East Face. If you're looking for a local Boulder guide to help you up, try Vetta Mountain Guides . 5. Mountain Bike Heil and Hall Ranch in a Day The rock garden at Hall Ranch. Robert TadlockStarting at the Left Hand Canyon entrance to Heil Ranch , mountain bikers can link Heil’s fun, intermediate trails via the Picture Rock Trail all the way into the town of Lyons, where a 1-mile bit of paved road leads to Hall Ranch . Hall’s notorious rock garden along the Bitterbrush Trail offers some of the best technical riding in the Front Range—the speedy lollipop loop that follows is pure biking bliss. The most straightforward route out and back starting from Heil Ranch will take strong bikers 4-5 hours and cover over 35 miles. On hot summer days, many riders opt to refill their hydration systems by carrying a water filter and restocking at the St. Vrain River along the way. 6. Mountain Bike the Betasso - Sugarloaf Challenge Betasso Preserve... the easy part of the challenge! James DziezynskiRiders who want to combine trail and road (29ers, I’m looking at you) should give this burly tour a go. Park at Betasso Preserve and start your day with a tour of Canyon and Benjamin Loops. That’s the warm up. Head back down to Boulder Canyon (either by the road or via the Connector Trail) and head towards Magnolia Road. Get ready for 4 miles of sustained, paved climbing that averages a 9.1% grade and has switchbacks that are over 20% steep! At the top of the hill, there are still 8 miles of rolling dirt road to reach Peak to Peak Highway (Hwy. 72). After climbing more than 2,400 vertical feet, turn north on Peak to Peak to the town of Lyons (a great place to stop for lunch). Resume your tour by continuing on Peak to Peak until it connects with Sugar Loaf Road. More climbing awaits along dirt roads that eventually turn to pavement in the community of Sugar Loaf. A blazing, paved downhill will bring you back to the Betasso Preserve Road and completes the loop 38 miles later. Total climbing is over 4,000 feet. 7. Run from Marshall Mesa to Doudy Draw The trail from Doudy Draw to Flatirons Vista. James DziezynskiIn 2014, Boulder completed the Highway 93 Underpass that connects the Marshall Mesa network of trails with Community Ditch. The upshot was that two great trail systems became one—without a Frogger-style life-or-death street crossing across Highway 93 to connect the two. Runners can go for a quick jog or run their own personal marathon without seeing the same terrain twice. Oh yeah, and the views aren’t too shabby either. 8. Climb the Saddle Rock Ladder up Green Mountain The new ladder en route to Green Mountain's summit. City of BoulderThe Saddle Rock Trail was one of the hardest hit during the floods of 2013. There’s still extensive damage along the trail that nature is slowly healing and that in itself is worth a look. The City of Boulder added a long ladder on the upper trail to compensate for the washed out terrain. But it’s not just the novelty of the ladder, it’s also the chance to see a trail completely redesigned courtesy of the floods. Saddle Rock merges with the EM Greenman Trail that eventually tops out on Green Mountain for a 6 mile round trip with over 2,000 feet of vertical elevation gain. 9. Run the Bolder Boulder—In Costume Pick and theme and run with it! Mikaela WiremanWhat do Jesus, a human banana, dozens of vikings, and the Statue of Liberty have in common? They’ve all run the Bolder Boulder ! The city’s famous 10k event is well known for its costumed runners, not to mention the variety of fun distractions along the sidelines, from waterslides to Elvis impersonators. Why not put on your best disguise and give it a go? If a teletubby can do it, so can you! 10. Visit Royal Arch—Because You Can Royal Arch in all its glory UCFFoolBoulder’s humble Royal Arch must have felt very lonely in 2014. The steep trail to the natural sandstone bridge was closed for nearly a year following the 2013 floods and didn’t reopen until late summer in 2014. The city has worked hard to restore the trail and 2015 will be its first full year back in business (barring another flood, of course). Royal Arch’s round trip mileage is only 3.2 miles but offers a stiff climb over 1,200'. 11. Hike Sanitas on a Rainy or Snowy Day There aren't many crowds during a blizzard! James DziezynskiThe next time rain or snow comes to town (a somewhat rare event), why not gear up and head for Mount Sanitas ? The 6,843 ft. summit is especially glorious during a snowstorm and can feel like a much more remote peak when socked in by the elements. Fair weather hikes are fine but to really catch a new vibe off Boulder’s most climbed mountain, inclement weather paints a new portrait (avoid lightning storms of course). 12. Stand in the Flagstaff Star Go stand in the star! Avery StonichWhen December comes around, a hike up to Boulder’s venerable electric star on Flagstaff Road is a fun way to welcome in a new winter. There’s a good trail up Gregory Canyon if you prefer a hike (as opposed to just parking next to the thing and ambling up). Our feature story on the star offers a bit of history and directions. A photo in the star with your sweetie—or your dog—will be a keeper. 13. Explore Boulder’s Hidden Trails Can you find Boulder's hidden "micro Flatirons" in South Boulder? James DziezynskiEven locals have a hard time finding all of Boulder’s best trails. We compiled an earlier list of  Boulder’s 4 Hidden Trails , but there are many more waiting to be found. One of the most overlooked is the Anemone Trail, an open secret that shares the Centennial Trailhead with the much more popular Mount Sanitas. Looking for a real challenge? See if you can find Harmon Cave! 14. Have a Picnic on Davidson Mesa Davidson Mesa looking west. James DziezynskiDavidson Mesa is located on the border of Boulder in nearby Louisville. Besides having a nice fenced in dog park, the mesa itself has perhaps the very best views of the city of Boulder. Photographers enjoy the potential for stunning sunset and nighttime photos from the mesa, but it’s a pretty nice place for a picnic (or a trail run). Bring Fido and a good lunch, and marvel at the towering Flatirons and if you’re lucky, Longs Peak to the north on clear days. 15. Run the Boulder Creek Path from 28th Street to Four Mile Canyon Boulder Creek's venerable path. James DziezynskiOur final must-do is to jog the Boulder Creek Path four miles from Scott Carpenter Park to the trail’s current terminus up Boulder Canyon at Four Mile Canyon Road. As it follows the creek, this paved and gravel trail goes through the heart of Boulder from city to wilderness. And the great news is that the trail is being expanded to continue all the way up to Betasso’s Connector Trail in 2017. So you can say you ran it when it was only four miles, earning you some kind of old school Boulderite bragging rights. Written by James Dziezynski for RootsRated and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

The planet is crisscrossed with epic trails, from the Alps to the Andes. There are snowy summit trips for fleet-footed peak-baggers, long and leisurely rambles for wildlife lovers, and everything in between. While the options are almost infinite, here are a few epic hikes to add to that ever-expanding life list. 1. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania A post shared by Tommy Steinsland 🇳🇴 (@eventyrturer) on Feb 15, 2018 at 2:57am PST One of the planet’s Seven Summits, 19,341-foot Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain on Earth—and Africa’s loftiest peak. Despite the distinction, the glaciated summit is accessible courtesy of a number of a non-technical routes, leading climbers through five distinctly different climate zones. On the path to Uhuru Peak, trekkers traverse a lowland rainforest inhabited by colobus and blue monkeys, ascend the scrubby montane moorland of the Shira Plateau, cross hulking glaciers, and catch glimpses of the megafauna-loaded grasslands of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. At basecamp, vividly colored tents dot an unearthly moonscape, and climbers rest in the shadow of toothy 16,893-foot Mawenzi. 2. Table Mountain, South Africa A post shared by @k4me0 on Feb 15, 2018 at 12:13pm PST While the flat-topped mesa soaring above Cape Town is accessible by cable-car, the climb to the apex of 3,569-foot Table Mountain is one of the planet’s most spectacular treks—and a must-do for a visit to this dynamic city. Routes to the top of the 500 million-year-old massif treat ascending climbers to panoramic vistas of the pointed peaks of the Twelve Apostles, the azure water of Camps Bay, knobby Lion’s Head, and Cape Town’s bustling City Bowl. There are plenty of half-day routes to the mesa’s highest point, Maclear’s Beacon, including the three-hour slog through Skeleton Gorge, allowing hikers to encounter Cape dwarf chameleons, stealthy caracals, and vibrantly colored sunbirds. The climb can also be done as a multi-day trip along the Cape of Good Hope Trail or the Hoerikwaggo Trail, beginning at Cape Point. 3. Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand A post shared by Ali Brookes (@alibrookes10) on Jan 31, 2018 at 8:56pm PST Meaning "the long pathway," in Maori, New Zealand’s 1,864-mile Te Araroa Trail is the Kiwi version of America’s Appalachian Trail. Bookended by the Pacific Ocean, between Cape Regina and Bluff, the route runs through the heart of New Zealand, traversing both North and South islands and leading backpackers through a staggering diversity of landscapes: sun-drenched coastlines, subtropical rainforests, snow-dusted alpine passes, and river-braided glacial valleys. The epic trek also showcases many of New Zealand’s geological gems, including the Southern Alps, famed backdrop for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the still-active Tongariro volcano. 4. Annapurna Circuit, Nepal A post shared by Inge (@inkiepinky_) on Feb 14, 2018 at 3:40am PST Besides Everest, the most idolized Himalayan foray is Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit. The nearly 130-mile route horseshoes the Annapurna range’s sea of glaciated summits, capped by 26,545-foot Annapurna I. The high-altitude tour takes hardy trekkers through highlands terraced with rice paddies, across surging whitewater rivers, through shadowy rhododendron forests, over otherworldly mountain passes, and past Buddhist gompas and Hindu shrines. While backpackers on the circuit must tackle challenges like 17,768-foot Thorung La, the route is dotted with cozy tea houses affording creature comforts like brief but heavenly hot showers and steaming plates of dal bhat, a traditional meal of steamed rice and cooked lentil soup. 5. John Muir Trail, California A post shared by Aimee Michele (@aimventures) on Jan 29, 2018 at 7:43pm PST Named for legendary naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, the John Muir Trail strings together two of California’s most spectacular natural wonders: the Yosemite Valley and 14,496-foot Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States. Tracing the spine of the High Sierra, the 211-mile route moseys through three national parks and two federally designated wildernesses, leading hikers through a landscape of high peaks and passes, glassy alpine lakes, and sun-drenched mountain meadows. The trail skirts Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, and showcases natural wonders like the Devil’s Postpile National Monument and Evolution Basin in Kings Canyon National Park. Plus, hikers have ample opportunity to encounter black bears, mule deer, and curious marmots along the route. 6. Four Pass Loop, Colorado A post shared by hrishi Chandanpurkar (@hrishimuni) on Nov 15, 2017 at 5:27pm PST The most photographed spot in Colorado, the snow-stripped twin peaks of the Maroon Bells are best celebrated on the epic Four Pass Loop through the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness. The aptly amed 26-mile circuit begins at turquoise-toned Maroon Lake, just west of Aspen, and takes backpackers over four alpine passes each higher than 12,000 feet, across airy meadows dusted with wildflowers, through spruce forests and copses of white-barked aspen, and past backcountry waterfalls and peak-framed lakes. Besides the Maroon Bells, the Elk Mountains sampler also provides trekkers the chance to gape at a handful of celestial fourteeners, including Pyramid Peak and Snowmass Mountain. 7. Beara Way, Ireland A post shared by Sara Kiehl (@saraelise85) on Jun 16, 2017 at 11:29am PDT Ringing Ireland’s wind-pummeled Beara Peninsula, a 48-mile sliver of land bisected by the Caha and Slieve Miskish mountains, the Beara Way provides a quintessential taste of the Emerald Isle and forms part of Ireland’s longest hiking trail, the Beara-Breifne Way. The 122-mile trek cobbles together bucolic country lanes, highland tracks, and ancient roads, offering a glimpse of the peninsula’s colorful past. Following the path taken by Beara’s last chieftain, Donal Cam O’Sullivan Beare, as he fled hotly pursuing Elizabethan troops in 1603, the Beara Way takes trekkers past Neolithic and Bronze Age sites, through charming towns, and over craggy highlands. Fortunately, the lung-taxing climbs and knee-grating descents are greeted with panoramic vistas of the rugged coastline, including the shimmering waters of Bantry Bay, staging point for Theobald Wolfe Tone’s infamous but ill-fated 1786 rebellion. 8. Cotopaxi, Ecuador A post shared by Sofiane Bruneau (@sofiane_br59) on Feb 3, 2018 at 4:29am PST One of the peaks in Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes, 19,347-foot Cotopaxi soars above the high Andean páramo of Cotopaxi National Park. Although the peak is the second highest in Ecuador—and one of the loftiest active volcanoes on the planet—Cotopaxi is scalable without prior mountaineering experience. Ropes, crampons, and ice axes are required to reach the snow-capped pinnacle, but with the help of local guides (and after a quick hands-on introduction to mountaineering), the crater-pocked peak is reachable for most reasonably fit trekkers. Along the way to the summit, hikers have the chance to spot wild horses, llamas, and spectacled bears (the ursine species credited with inspiring the fictional character Paddington). 9. Inca Trail, Peru A post shared by World Nomads (@worldnomads) on Feb 15, 2018 at 7:36am PST The most celebrated trek in South America, this Andean excursion takes hikers from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, the stone-hewn urban center crafted by the Incas during the 15th century, a World Heritage site since 1983. Along the way to Machu Picchu, the 24-mile trek follows paths forged by the Incas more than 500 years ago, meandering through cloud forests studded with 300 types of orchids, over three cloud-shrouded mountain passes, and past pre-Columbian ruins. Stashed away at 7,972 feet, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is also a biodiversity hotspot, serving as an ecological corridor linking the Andes, Sacred Valley, and Amazon, and affording trekkers the opportunity to spot 370 different types of bird, including mammoth Andean condors. 10. Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia A post shared by Candice (@candice_explores) on Feb 15, 2018 at 6:58am PST Soaring above other peaks in Malaysian Borneo’s Crocker Range, 13,435-foot Mount Kinabalu is the loftiest summit in Southeast Asia. Gunung Kinabalu, as the peak is known in Malay, is also the country’s first World Heritage site, a global hotspot for flora and fauna. The mountain’s ecosystems harbor more than 5,000 types of plants, over 300 species of birds, and 100 different mammals. Along the path to the granite-tipped summit, which typically takes two to three days round-trip, lush lowland rainforests give way to cloud-bathed montane and coniferous forests, providing the chance to spot orangutans, Bornean gibbons, and long-tailed Bornean Treepies. The mountain’s six different vegetation zones also support a thousand different orchids and five endemic species of carnivorous pitcher plants, including the largest on earth, Nepenthes rajah. 11. Tour du Mont Blanc, Western Europe A post shared by Pascal Heimberg (@kimbleontherun) on Jan 31, 2018 at 9:11am PST While scaling 15,781-foot Mont Blanc requires extensive mountaineering knowhow, more casual hikers can still get an eyeful of Western Europe’s loftiest summit from three different countries—France, Italy, and Switzerland—on the Tour du Mont Blanc. The 105-mile route rings the entire snow-frosted massif, traipsing over seven alpine passes, past storybook alpine hamlets, along colossal glaciers, and through wildflower-freckled meadows. Besides the spellbinding scenery, the Tour du Mont Blanc also provides a snapshot of regional culture, taking hikers through historic locales like medieval Courmayeur. Best of all, while physically taxing, the route is scattered with cozy alpine huts, affording plenty of opportunity to swap freeze-dried fare for fondue. 12. Torres del Paine Circuit, Patagonia, Chile A post shared by Patagonia Adventure Cycling (@patagoniaadventurecycling) on Feb 7, 2015 at 1:26pm PST Towering above the guanaco-grazed steppes of Chilean Patagonia, the trio of granite pillars dubbed Torres del Paine comprise one of the most iconic massifs on earth. The blue-hued granite cathedral tops out at 10,656 feet and crowns Torres del Paine National Park, a former sheep estancia declared a World Heritage site in 1978. Backpackers can gape at the granite monoliths from every angle imaginable along on a circuit trek on the national park’s non-technical trails. The more heavily trafficked ‘W’ configuration can be done in less than four days, while the more extensive ‘O’ circuit, takes about a week. Despite the rugged landscape of glaciated granite peaks, raging rivers, and iceberg-strewn alpine lakes, the Torres del Paine circuit can be done without forgoing creature comforts by cobbling together a route linking the park’s cozy refugios. 13. Kalalau Trail, Hawaii A post shared by Maxwell (@maxwellreyer) on Feb 15, 2018 at 8:14am PST Showcasing Kauai’s rugged Nā Pali Coast, where fluted mountains meld into the glistening Pacific Ocean, the Kalalau Trail is among the most spectacular coastal treks on earth. But, the 11-mile trek is no walk on the beach. Between Ke’e Beach and Kalalau Beach, the trail winds through five different valleys, across more than a half-dozen streams, and along precipitous cliff sides, including a vertiginous stretch aptly dubbed Crawler’s Ledge, for the hikers duly daunted by the 500-foot drop. Grit and determination are mandatory, but trekkers are rewarded with jaw-dropping views of the Pacific and gems like the 300-foot Hanakapi’ai Waterfall. While the 22-mile out-and-back trip can be done in a day, the route is scattered with stunning camping spots, like the area near 1,400-foot Hanakoa Falls, about halfway through the trek. 14. Mount Fuji, Japan A post shared by Wouter Klijnsoon (@wouterklijnsoon) on Feb 15, 2018 at 1:42pm PST Located southwest of Tokyo, the solitary summit of 12,388-foot Mount Fuji is one of the planet’s most recognizable peaks. Dormant for just over 300 years, the snow-dusted stratovolcano has served as an artistic muse for centuries, revered as one of Japan’s Three Holy Mountains. Religious pilgrims have been scaling the sacred mountain since ancient times, and the climb remains exceedingly popular. Climbing season for Mount Fuji only runs from the beginning of July to the end of August, but more than 300,000 trekkers make the approximately six-hour trip every year. While there are celestial views on the way to the summit, the trek has the distinction of being one of the few climbs on the planet that is more cultural experience than wilderness excursion. Each of the four routes to the top offers mountain huts peddling food and drinks, and there is even a post office at the summit where you can drop a postcard to a lucky recipient. 15. Sunshine Coast Trail, British Columbia A post shared by Casey Dubie Dubois (@cdubiejr) on Feb 9, 2018 at 6:06pm PST Rambling along the wild Sunshine Coast in southwest British Columbia, the Sunshine Coast Trail is a less-frequented alternative to the West Coast Trail. Built entirely by volunteers and maintained by the non-profit Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society, the 112-mile trail ambles from Desolation Sound to Saltery Bay, taking trekkers through old growth rainforests roamed by black bears, grey wolves, and cougars. Wildlife watchers also have the chance to spot the blubbery bodies of Stellar sea lions and harbor seals along coastal stretches of the trail, and the route’s highest point—4,821-foot Mount Troutbridge—is a hotspot for seafaring marbled murrelets. Best of all, the Sunshine Coast Trail is Canada’s only free hut-to-hut track, with no reservations or permits required. Written by Malee Baker Oot for RootsRated.

Your calendar isn't lying: Spring really is just around the corner. The time has already changed, bringing with it another hour of sunshine—and plenty of opportunities and excuses to get outside. Wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife all await on the myriad trails that beckon this time of year. Some of the area's higher-elevation hikes may still be buried under residual snow, but plenty of trails in low-lying areas remain open and accessible. So whether you're looking for a thigh-burning climb, an urban trek, or an up-close glimpse at the green spaces around Portland, here's where to go—and what to know—for the best spring hikes in Portland. Where to Find Wildflowers and Gorge-ous Views Dog Mountain is among the most popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, due in large part to its stunning wildflower displays. Bill Automata Dog Mountain is home to some of the most impressive wildflower displays in the Columbia River Gorge every April, May, and June. At their peak, the blooms absolutely explode off the mountainside, bathing Dog Mountain in fields of yellow balsamroot and purple lupine. (The wildflowers typically hit their peak on Dog Mountain in May and June, but given Portland's warm winter, flashes of color might appear sooner.) Despite two options for reaching the top—one of which is semi-helpfully marked "less difficult"—there's no easy way to bypass the difficulty of climbing 3,000 feet in roughly three miles. The work is worth it, though; in addition to fields of beautiful wildflowers, hikers will enjoy incredible views of the surrounding Columbia River Gorge. Insider tip: For all its intensity, Dog Mountain is among the most popular hikes in the region. Head out early (or on a sunny weekday) to avoid parking headaches and the biggest crowds. Walking Behind Waterfalls There are many wonderful waterfalls along the "Trail of Ten Falls". Amit Patel Spend a few minutes on the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park, and you might wonder if you've stumbled into J.R.R. Tolkein's Middle Earth. Thick, lush forests surround hikers throughout the 8.7-mile loop. Spectacular canyon views await behind seemingly every turn. Bucolic creeks bubble throughout. You'll be surprised when Frodo and Sam don't wander by at some point. And that's to say nothing of the waterfalls. (And, yes, there are really 10 of them along the way.) Hikers are treated to close-up views of these impressive waterfalls—more than five of which are at least 100 feet tall—and can walk behind four. Head's up: Silver Falls State Park is the most popular state park in Oregon. Make the trip on a weekday or show up early on a weekend to avoid parking headaches the biggest crowds. Warming Up With a Waterfall Dry Creek Falls rewards hikers with an unusual waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. Bill Automata It's almost unfair to mention any waterfall hike immediately after shouting out the Trail of Ten Falls, but the short jaunt to Dry Creek Falls is well worth any hiker's time. If the thought of climbing 3,000 feet at Dog Mountain or making the 80-minute drive to Silver Falls State Park aren't doable, get your legs into gear with the quick, 4.4-mile out-and-back to an impressive, if oft-overlooked, waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. A fair grade makes the 2.2-mile hike to the falls feel a lot shorter than it really is, and the thick forest lining the trail adds to the enchantment. At the end of the hike, the single-stream cascade at the heart of Dry Creek Falls flows down 75 feet in front of an unusual display of moss-covered columnar basalt. There are plenty of better-known waterfall hikes elsewhere in Oregon, but most demand more from hikers, and few offer the same, beautiful payoff. Wetlands and Wildlife in the City The Oaks Bottom WIldlife Refuge is a popular hiking and trail running destination not far from Ross Island. wittco.gmbh Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge isn't the most well-known or back-breaking hike on this list, but the 2.3-mile trail introduces hikers and trail runners to a piece of Portland they might not otherwise enjoy. Today, the lush wetland is a popular destination for an early-morning or after-work adventure, but it was very nearly razed to make way for an industrial park before the City of Portland acquired the refuge in 1969. Restoration and protection efforts paid off. Today, roughly 40 years after that decision to preserve the wetlands, Oaks Bottom is awash in wildlife. Beavers, nutria, salamanders, frogs, mallards, blue herons, and other migrating birds either stop at the refuge or call it home. And, as if to underscore the urban-rural tightrope the refuge walks, hikers will catch glimpses of the downtown skyline—just a 15-minute drive away—at various points along the hike. An Urban Experience Approaching the station. Chris Phan The 4T Trail unveils the best of Portland over nine fascinating miles, and it doesn't demand much of hikers just getting their legs back after spending the winter indoors. Along the way, the trail showcases the innovative mass transit for which Portland is known, takes hikers through lush forests just minutes from downtown, and delivers one impressive view after another. The 4T Trail, accessible year-round, gets its name from the four "T's" at the heart of the unusual excursion: Hikers start on a trail that spans Washington Park, Council Crest, and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Washington Park hosts innumerable Portland attractions, not the least of which is a dense forest that makes it easy to forget you're in the midst of a busy urban core. Council Crest, meanwhile, is the highest point in Portland and delivers knockout views of both Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens on a clear day. From there, hikers take the tram—specifically, the Portland Aerial Tram—from OHSU, down to the rapidly-growing South Waterfront Neighborhood. The tram's platform promises views of the downtown skyline, the Willamette River snaking through Portland, and Mount Hood rising behind South Waterfront condos. Hikers then hop aboard the trolley—rather, the Portland Streetcar—at the base of the tram. The streetcar heads into downtown Portland. The loop is complete once hikers depart for the train and take the blue or red MAX light rail line back to Washington Park. Fun fact: The Washington Park MAX stop is the deepest transit station in North America. Written by Matt Wastradowski for RootsRated.

Intro Hidden in the middle of the warehouses and port terminals of the North Portland peninsula, the Smith and Bybee Wetlands are home to several wildlife species, including some you might not expect. Bald eagles, beavers, and one of the last remaining large populations of Western painted turtles in Oregon all take up residence in the wetlands. A long list of the usual suspects also call the natural area home, including the black-tailed deer and an ever-changing list of seasonal birds. Written by Abby Joffe for RootsRated. What Makes It Great With over 2000 acres of interconnected lakes and channels that don’t allow motorboats and that almost nobody knows about, you’re pretty much guaranteed a peaceful paddle. From the put-in, the area is your oyster, but navigation can be a bit tricky, so take note of your surroundings once in the water. The peace and quiet and bird life make this a great escape from the city, while not actually leaving. I’m not claiming that you’re out in the middle of a pristine wilderness, void of humanity or anything. You’re going to see the occasional plane from PDX and you might hear cars racing over at PIR, or a truck heading down Marine Drive. But in terms of an urban paddle, this is about as peaceful as you’re going to get. Nobody knows it’s there, it’s vast, and no motorized engines!  Water levels vary greatly by season, from flood-level stage in late winter to muddy bog in late summer. As a matter of fact, the paddling is possible, but potentially very difficult by the end of summer. Your best bet is to head out anytime in spring or winter, which happen to offer the most excellent wildlife viewing anyway. Written by Abby Joffe for RootsRated. Who is Going to Love It Anybody that is a fan of a good paddle will appreciate this outing. Beyond that, folks that don’t have a lot of time, but would still like a quality paddle will enjoy this quick trip that is so close to the city. If you’re in a time crunch, North Portland isn’t THAT far away, no matter what your friends living in inner southeast say. And if you’re into wildlife viewing, particularly bird watching, this spot is one of Portland’s birding Meccas. Written by Abby Joffe for RootsRated. Directions, Parking, & Regulations There are a few places around the lakes where you can put-in, but the official put in has restrooms, and those are good to have.  The put in is open from legal sunrise to legal sunset.  As mentioned, water levels are very erratic. It can be easy to get stuck in the mud during low water, so be forewarned. Written by Abby Joffe for RootsRated.