Hi!

What a great forum. I stumbled across this site researching places to hike around Portland. I am from Chicago and come out to Oregon once or twice a year. Hope you don't mind my reading in and dreaming of being west of where I am! Hoping to get to know a few other hikers so that when I get out to Oregon, I have friends to hit the trails with! I am pretty new to hiking but am lovin it!
I have noticed some groups post when their organized hikes are. Most are only posted to the end of April, is that what normally happens? Hikes are organized more in the short term? Anyways, if anyone is interested, I am posting in the organize a hike forum as I will be in your beautiful state in May!
PS I am deviously glad your winter is lasting since I just spent 6 days skiing Mt. Hood on really great snow!

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"all that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost;
the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost" j.r.r. tolkien

Welcome to the site gowest! Yes the groups/clubs' websites ususally post a month at a time, but they should get their May outings up before the end of the month - trail conditions and schedules are tough to plan too far ahead of time (especially this winter - glad you had some great skiing! :)  You can always call or email the groups for more info, too. Keep in touch!

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

Welcome, gowest - and Jane is being modest. She is the volunteer that gathers and posts most of this information from a variety of sources. Thanks, Jane!

Tom

Hi Jane and Tom,
Thanks for the warm welcome! After perusing this site off and on for the last couple of days, I see that Jane puts in a lot of work! and responds to the new people. Thanks so much! Jane, I will be watching your posts for the updated hikes in May. Glad I found this site! Happy hiking!

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"all that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost;
the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost" j.r.r. tolkien

Welcome gowest! It's nice to see another Land Of Lincolner here (I'm from Bloomington-Normal). The more the merrier. Will you be moving here in May or just visiting? I ask because the beginning of May and the end of May can make a world of difference in Oregon. With the winter you all have had out in Oregon that might not be the case, but usually the real meltoff begins in May, with some of the lower Cascade ridges and peaks snow-free by the end of the month.

Of course, that might not matter this year. Hope for a warm spring!
 

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Photos: http://mattisnotfrench.smugmug.com/
Facebook: add me! (Matt Reeder, Portland State University)

gowest:

Hi Jane and Tom, Thanks for the warm welcome! After perusing this site off and on for the last couple of days, I see that Jane puts in a lot of work! and responds to the new people. Thanks so much! Jane, I will be watching your posts for the updated hikes in May. Glad I found this site! Happy hiking!

Thank you both for the compliments! I just try to corrall some of the info that's out there on outings, and welcome new folks - as Tom and many other do as well! And like I mentioned above, don't wait for my weekly postings for future schedules, check with the individual group websites for their monthly postings also.

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

Yes, I have been looking at those sites. The Sierra Club has their calender posted. So I will check back with all the others that are recommended. Thanks

Matt, we will be visiting at the beginning of May so if you have any hikes you think would be good, please let me know. I think I will rent a car so am not confined to Portland proper. But if we don't have to rent a car that would be great too.

Are you in France? Hiking the alps? Very cool!

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"all that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost;
the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost" j.r.r. tolkien