What we’re about
This group is for nature lovers and photographers who like to soak in the moment, ID plants and wildflowers, pick up rocks, listen to birdsong, commune with waterfalls, meet wildlife, practice mindfulness, or just feel like taking it easy today. To that end, our hikes are short and sweet and we incorporate a lot of pauses.
We take full advantage of full moons, eclipses, meteor showers, sunrises, sunsets, meteorological phenomena, low tides, king tides, bird migrations, whale migrations, wildlife viewing, peak wildflower blooms, prime rockhounding spots, unique natural features, nature instruction, guided meditation, gardens and gardening, and weird stuff around the Portland periphery.
Membership denotes agreement to:
Always check your email and the event page of the hike you've signed up for to see if there are any last minute changes. Sudden weather developments are often a factor, especially in winter.
Update your RSVP if your plans change. It really matters to others, especially Event Organizers. Be advised: 3 No Shows and you will be asked to find another hiking Meetup.
Get there early. Events start at the time posted, so give yourself plenty of time to find a parking spot, gear up, use the restroom, pay your fee, and be ready to go.
Let us know if you prefer not to have your photograph posted or tagged online. Privacy is important to us, so if you find your image has made it into the photo albums, contact Anna and she will remove it, no questions asked.
Understand that each Event Organizer has their own particular rules in addition to the above and it is up to them to let you know what they are ahead of time. Anna's rules for her events are that you must: be 18 or older, leave all pets at home, be vaccinated for COVID, and pay the posted event fee in cash before the start of the hike.
We really appreciate it. See you out there!
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Full Moon Rising Over Killin WetlandsKillin Wetlands Nature Park, Banks, OR$5.00
The full Beaver Moon will rise at 4:16 PM on what will hopefully be a clear Friday afternoon in November. From Killin's parking lot, you can get a pretty tasty view with a telephoto when the sunset often dresses Mt. Hood in a pink negligee for the evening--Ooo, la, la!
First, we'll walk very slowly about 1 mi. out and back down paved NW Cedar Canyon Road to the west slough to photograph autumn colors, waterfowl, and nutria (and maybe an elk or otter). The fall migration is still going, so it should be good birding. If time allows, you can explore the little 0.7 mi. trail loop through the park, itself, before it gets too dark. Then we'll return to the parking lot, set up our tripods, snuggle into our chairs and blankets, and watch for the moon to become visible over the hills around 4:40 PM at 56° azimuth.
Bring $5 cash, water, headlamp/light source, binoculars, camping chair with blankets, weather appropriate clothing, and all your photography gear. Restroom on site. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks. We're settin' out promptly at the start time, so get there early.
- King Tide Wave Watching: Barview JettyNorth Jetty, Rockaway Beach, OR$5.00
Attention photographers! The king tides are the tallest waves of the year and they usually take Oregon by storm, literally and figuratively. They do a lot of damage but, like most freaks of nature, they're fun to watch from a distance.
The North Jetty at the mouth of Tillamook Bay is a coveted spot for storm watching. Thundering walls of white foam get thrown up over the 26' tall beacon sitting out at the toe. You can park within 1500' of the action and look monster waves right in the eye at about 20' above sea level.
Don't worry, there's several massive boulders standing between you and the splash zone, not to mention a lot of signs warning idiots about venturing out any further--we will NOT be doing that. As a matter of fact, if things get truly hairy, the sheriff typically rolls up and shuts down the whole area: "Alright, everybody out of the pool!"
There's good bird watching on the jetty and in the channel and a few cheeky harbor seals usually body surf the waves. If it's sunny, the California ground squirrels come out of the rocks and right up to you. If it's stormy, rare open water sea birds are often blown in. I've spotted rhinoceros auklets, Marbled Murrelets, and Leach's storm-petrels.
Here's a massive flock of dunlins I found last winter.
Here's a minor sneaker wave taking a shot at us.
Here's what a major one can do.
We'll photograph waves and seabirds from the jetty ($10 parking fee), then walk up a tiny lookout hill a few hundred feet away for a broader view. We will NOT be roaming the beach at any time: I've seen killer sneaker waves do some gnarly @#$%! with logs that weigh more than your car. From there, weather permitting, we'll drive the 101 south about half a mile to photograph a sexy formation of sea stacks called The Three Graces that look like a giant Japanese Zen garden, then on to Garibaldi another mile south to check out the longest pier in Oregon that leads to the Garibaldi Historic US Coast Guard Boathouse. If you don't want to drive back to Portland in the dark, head back by 3 PM.
Bring $5 cash, debit/credit card to pay $10 state park fee, weather appropriate clothing including waterproof winter gear, hat, and boots, snacks/beverage, binoculars/scope, and all your camera equipment. Vault toilet at jetty and nice flush restrooms in campground nearby, seasonal portapotty at boathouse pier parking lot.
Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks. Please arrive early so we can find each other before the start time. Look for my deep blue Honda CRV; I'll be in a navy windbreaker, black pants, and bright blue/green hat.
NOTE: This event is for stormwatchers and adrenaline junkies, so high winds and stormy conditions are welcomed, and you will be responsible for your own safety and comfort. I cannot stress this enough: Dress WARM. You will be standing, not hiking.
DRIVING DETAILS: To continue from the jetty to the Three Graces, backtrack to the 101 and turn right. Go 0.5 mi. to the gravel pull out on your right next to the railroad tracks.
To continue from Three Graces to the pier, turn south onto the 101 again for 1 mi. and turn right on 12th Street. Turn right at Bay Lane at the next intersection and go 0.1 mi. to the gravel parking lot.
- Christmas Ships on Sauvie IslandWapato Access Greenway State Park, Portland, OR$5.00
Christmas Ships is a Portland tradition since 1954, so this is their 70th anniversary! If you've never seen them...Wait, what do you mean you've never seen them?
Dozens of local boaters (and the Coast Guard!) decorate their vessels, large and small, with festive lights and music and slowly parade down various routes along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers while crazed fans gather in crowds to hoot and holler at them from the shore. There's quite a bit of drunken shenanigans among the rows of floating houses.
Happily, I've found an intimate location far from the hordes where each glowing ship slips across the glassy black surface of the Multnomah Channel in perfect peace. Leaves rustle, owls hoot, and the water laps gently on the muddy banks of Sauvie Island while an electric rainbow glides silently by. Ahhhh.
We'll gather in the Wapato Access Greenway parking lot by 5 PM (get there early!) and carpool and caravan to a secret location about 15 minutes away. The viewing area is small, so we'll arrive early to stake out a spot. We'll have half an hour or so for birding in the dark down the country road (hopefully, owls!) before the ships appear around the bend. If the weather is dry, there is plenty of room for camping chairs. If it's raining, we'll open umbrellas. The colors are even prettier in the rain.
An added bonus to this location is that, since the road parallels the river, you can watch the ships all over again from another spot or from atop the Sauvie Island Bridge because you'll pass them again on the way back.
Bring $5 cash, water/hot beverage/snacks, camp chair, blankets, headlamp/light source, binoculars, umbrella, weather appropriate clothing, and your photography video gear. You'll be settin' up the tripod on uneven gravel or squishy dirt.
***Wear LOTS of layers of warm clothing, way more than you think you'll need. I'm talking long underwear, woolen socks, fuzzy hat, the works. There's no restroom on site but, you know, darkness and shrubbery. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.
- Full Moon Rising Over Killin WetlandsKillin Wetlands Nature Park, Banks, OR$5.00
The full Cold Moon will rise at 4:31 PM on what will hopefully be a clear Sunday afternoon in December. From Killin's parking lot, you can get a pretty tasty view with a telephoto when the sunset often dresses Mt. Hood in a pink negligee for the evening--Ooo, la, la!
First, we'll walk very slowly about 1 mi. out and back down paved NW Cedar Canyon Road to the west slough to photograph waterfowl, nutria and maybe an elk or otter. The rains have returned, so the wetlands have transformed into vast mirrors reflecting trees, hills, and sky. If time allows, you can explore the little 0.7 mi. trail loop through the park, itself, before it gets too dark. Then we'll return to the parking lot, set up our tripods, snuggle into our chairs and blankets, and watch for the moon to become visible over the hills around 4:50 PM at 47° azimuth.
Bring $5 cash, water, headlamp/light source, binoculars, camping chair with blankets, weather appropriate clothing, and all your photography gear. Restroom on site. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks. We're settin' out promptly at the start time, so get there early.
