This is a feature I wrote about scenic loop drives you can take from the Allison Inn. Roots is an in-house magazine published exclusively for Oregon wine country’s premier luxury resort, the Allison Inn. Click here to read a PDF version.

This is a feature I wrote about scenic loop drives you can take from the Allison Inn. Roots is an in-house magazine published exclusively for Oregon wine country’s premier luxury resort, the Allison Inn. Click here to read a PDF version.

If you’re looking for some exercise in the Oregon Coast Range, look no further than Kings Mountain. From the article:
“The trail that leads up to the summit of Kings Mountain is a 2.5-mile long hurt locker disguised as a hiking path. I’m sure there are some of you out there that would go merrily traipsing up the mountain, breaking nary a sweat while pausing only to take in nature’s glory. Well, that’s not most of us. The hike gains 2,500 feet over the course of that 2.5 miles. For those of you scoring at home, 1,000 feet of elevation gain per mile is quite the steady clip. And for the lion’s share of hikers out there, that’s a thigh-burning mettle-tester. And if you’ve got bad knees, bad balance, or bad luck, the hike down the mountain won’t be much of a picnic either. But as with most hikes of its ilk, there are rewards beyond caloric expenditure.”
Click here to read the whole thing.

My latest literary spawn has left the nest! The “Best Outdoor Adventures Near Portland” is now available in select bookstores and via any of your favorite online outlets, including Amazon.
From the Intro:
“Portland, Oregon is a special place. One of the primary reasons many of us choose to hang our hats here is the seemingly limitless outdoor recreation options. If there’s something you like to do outside, chances are good that you can find it within two hours of Portland. What do you like doing? What would you like to try? It’s here. Or near here. A quick rundown of things to do includes: hiking, trail running, kayaking, whitewater rafting, stand up paddleboarding, surfing, kite boarding, cycling, mountain biking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, horseback riding, paragliding, skydiving, ziplining…..the list is extensive.
Any real estate agent will give you an earful about “location.” Portland benefits greatly from its location in many ways, but with regards to outdoor endeavors, we’re sitting in the catbird seat. From downtown Portland, you can get to the Columbia River Gorge in 30 minutes, have Mt Hood in your face in an hour, dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean in an hour and a half, and take in a sunset from the high desert in two hours. And within that radius are more creeks, rivers, trails, lakes, peaks, valleys, and protected wilderness areas than any of us could ever see in a lifetime or more.
Over the last year and a half, I got to go traipsing around the greater Portland area with my friends, experiencing the best outdoor activities the region has to offer. And now it all culminates in a guidebook that for me, also serves as a journal of these incredible experiences. Some of the best adventures I’ve had in my life were had while “working” on this book. It is my sincere hope that it can provide you with comparable experiences. I also encourage you to keep going. This book, while chock full of some of the best stuff around, is more or less an amuse bouche for what’s out there. Within two hours of Portland, an immeasurable amount of adventure awaits.”

My latest feature for Cascade Journal Magazine focuses on the Wild and Scenic rivers of Central Oregon; both the well-known (like the McKenzie in the photo below) and under the radar. Click here to read it.

My latest for Northwest Travel & Life covers the world’s first non-profit brewery, Ex Novo. Pick up this months issue or click here for the online version.

My first feature for Portland Monthly Magazine details the best Wild and Scenic rivers the state has to offer. Read it here.

My latest for Tillamookcoast.com is about the best mountain biking options in the Tillamook State Forest. Click here to read it.

I recently landed a wonderful gig writing outdoor-related blog posts for Tillamook Coast.com. In my first offering I discuss some must see waterfalls in the Tillamook Coast range, and why now is a great time to check them out. Click here to give it a read.
In my first piece for Central Oregon Magazine I list my favorite cascades in the region. From the article:
“One could argue that the almost embarrassing abundance of natural beauty in Central Oregon is punctuated by waterfalls. Some of the best cascades and cascade hikes in the state reside in this region. Sometimes the thrill is in the quality of the hike, other times it’s the grandeur or uniqueness of the falls, or some combination thereof. On occasion the main draw is the increasingly rare chance for solitude on a trail. For all those reasons and more, this part of the state is paradise for those of us that like a good waterfall. Here are some favorites.”
Check out the full article here.
In my first article for Backpacker Magazine I detail the epic overnight trip to Ice Lake in eastern Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness. Read about it in the October issue of Backpacker or check it out online here.