Last summer I took a bucket-list backpacking trip along Kootenay National Park’s legendary Rockwall. I was lucky enough to get to detail that experience in my first story for British Columbia Magazine. A cover story at that! It’s on newsstands now or you can check out the PDF version by clicking here
It’s always fun to write about my favorite place in the world, the Columbia River Gorge. From the article:
“Over the course of roughly 80 miles, the Gorge, a National Scenic Area, switches over from temperate rainforest to desert. Every turn in the river, every bend rounded, introduces a new microclimate or landscape. It’s stunning and easily experienced. From west to east, a trip along Washington’s Highway 14 will show you firsthand.”
Click here to read the whole article.
The fall 2016 issue of Cascade Journal Magazine features a cover photo and story I wrote about old-growth hikes. Get it on newsstands now or read it online here.
My first piece for 1859 Magazine is a personal essay about how nature cures what ails you. In this case, my teeth grinding. Pick it up on newsstands now or click here to read the online 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.
In the latest issue of Northwest Travel & Life Magazine I write about Alaska’s Misty Fjords. From the article – “Thanks in large part to the glacier-carved landscape, legendary naturalist John Muir compared the Misty Fjords to his favorite inspirational wilderness, Yosemite. An understandable comparison, if only Yosemite were surrounded by ocean and studded with lakes and canals spread out over two million acres.” Click here to continue reading.
Thanks to a new writing contract, I’ll be spending a lot of time in Tillamook County this year. Last week I visited the Tillamook Coast; specifically the Cape Meares Lighthouse. It was magic. In addition to perfect weather, grey whales were putting on a show as they migrated north. We were treated to several breaches from the lighthouse viewpoint.
Adam Sawyer 