While the Pacific Northwest offers an abundance of hiking opportunities, the central location of Portland makes it a prime base camp for several different hiking clubs. Ranging from beginners activities and social events to mountaineering challenges, groups, such as Trails Club of Oregon, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Mazamas, and Bergfreunde Ski and Activities Club make Portand their home.
Location
Portland, located in the midwestern part of the state just under two hours from the coast and just over an hour from Mount Hood, is situated conveniently near some of Oregon's best hiking spots, like the Columbia Gorge. From paved urban paths to rugged mountain treks, residents of Portland can find not only a challenging hike but a group of people with similar goals and aspirations. Portland hikers can choose their destinations from mountainous terrains, hot springs, waterfalls, lakes, wildflower vistas and scenic outlooks.
Trails Club of Oregon
For almost 100 years, the Trails Club of Oregon has given hikers a chance to branch out of Portland and explore. Founded in 1915, the Trails Club now includes not only hiking, but snowshoeing, kayaking and skiing in addition to social activities like picnics and Hike and Dine events. The group has built its own hiking lodge, named Nesika, a four-mile hike from Multnomah Falls, as well as its own ski lodge, Tyee, on Mount Hood. Guests participating in overnight events must be accompanied by a member, and dues are $45 a year.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge
As a group, Friends of the Columbia Gorge completes over 80 hikes each year exploring the Columbia River Gorge. While the group plans hikes all over the northwest, like the Cape Horn Loop in Washington, the main focus is the Gorge. Group members volunteer their time and effort to not only explore the Gorge, but to protect it, organizing efforts like the one to stop plans for a casino. A basic membership costs $35, but members can pay more to be a Guide, Trailblazer or Guardian.
Mazamas
While Mazamas completes over 700 hikes a year, this non-profit group focuses on mountaineering education and executes over 350 yearly climbs. Begun in 1894, the group now continues the tradition of mountaineering excellence. Members are required to climb to the summit of a mountain with at least one glacier before they are allowed to join. Mazamas holds classes with several different concentrations, such as Basic and Intermediate Mountaineering, Advanced Snow and Ice Climbing and Nordic Skiing.
Bergfreunde Ski and Activities Club
Meaning "mountain friends" in German, Bergfreunde offers over 700 activities all year, though the group did start as a ski club. This non-profit is run by volunteers, and costs for activities do not contain a profit margin. Members pay $75 annually and must be at least 21-years-old. The difficulty level is focused more toward beginners and intermediates. Hiking is concentrated mostly spring through fall, though the group does offer activities like yoga classes year-round.
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