Newbie looking for easy trails in the Portland area

Saw that other older thread on WA and it's the exact info I've been looking for but I'm in Portland. I was planning on heading up to Browns camp this weekend since I know there's plenty of easy trails but would love some suggestions for good forest service roads in and around the Portland area.

I would love some suggestions for trails that are within 90min of Portland and nice views are a huge plus. I plan to go out alone with my fiance and my dog. Side hikes are a big bonus as well.

I have a 2002 DC 4x4 TRD. Stock ride height for now but I do have some 31x10.5x15 all terrain tires on there.

I've heard that out at the end of 224 near the Ripplebrook ranger station there's some forest service road access with tons to explore but outside of that and the few OHV areas I'm clueless.

 

I have been wondering the same thing!

 

No one? I'm gonna head out to Browns Camp tomorrow and just wing it.

 

Sorry, most of the regulars don't venture outside of the BS threads, so some of these questions get missed.

I would suggest you start with this sticky first.

Going alone without recovery equipment suggests that you would want to be on roads with a zero chance of getting stuck. This is not to belittle you, it's to expose the reality that at some point offroading, you are going to get stuck, and you better have prepared for it. I have been in at least 3 situations so far where I either should have slept overnight in the truck, or where I had to calm down and spend the next few hours with a shovel.

Your options at TSF are going to run dry very quick once you've gone through the green trails. Blue trails would be doable alone provided you have preparation, but again - that's prep for equipment, prep for vehicle, and prep for yourself (training - either amateur or pro). Even with a group, you want enough prep to make sure you can be recovered safely. However, you can still do forest service (FS) access roads, and there's an incredible amount all over the state.

Speaking of FS roads (that aren't part of a recognized trail), there is a very small opportunity to do anything beyond what a stock 2WD vehicle could do, at least from what I've discovered. There is an abundance of areas to discover, far off hikes to get to, and sights to see, but the likelihood of using 4WD to get there is very small (which is why, for these individuals, I wish someone would have said how much better a prerunner would have been - and yet still accomplish a great deal).


The only trail I can recommend in Oregon that would necessitate 4WD but remain safe for beginner solo travel would be Barlow Toll Road in the summer when there's no snow, yet still potentially wet.

If you want to do more safely, or learn how to progress into more difficult territory, you can always PM me to try setting up an outing or just come visit and look over what things I've done, because I've been in that exact spot - in 2008, I had never been in a vehicle where 4WD had ever been engaged, and now I'm confident enough to be doing black level trails (and maybe more? Some of the trails I've been on don't have ratings)

 

I live next door in Vancouver WA. Hit the forest roads all the time on the weekends and know some great ones for you.

Here is my favorite!

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/silver-star-mountain

It's Silver Star Mountain, you take a crazy dirt road winding up the mountain all the way to the saddle at the top where their is a big dirt lot you can park, have lunch, and get 360 views of 3-5 snow covered peaks around you (Mt Adams, Mt St. Helens, Mt Hood,...). It's fantastic. And the the road requires some technical skill and is fun! But easy, even a Subaru can make it up this thing. There are some great hiking trails at the top that take you along the ridge with lots of rewarding views along the way. Or, you can get really off-road up there and I've seen guys flip their trucks over onto their side, there is a big dirt jump at bottom of an insane dirt hill you can drive up. Too hard-core for me. Also, you can continue on that dirt road on down the other side of the mountain down to a little lake, and eventually over to Larch Mtn.

I'd be up to doing it with you sometime if you want company? I've got a F150 now and my front is so damn low to the ground, and it's so wide I'm sure I'll be scraping brush all the way. But what the hell, I've been dying to get it up there.

Oh, and there is a sweet camp ground at the bottom before you start up (pay use). And there is a big plunge pool in the river with rock cliff you can jump off. Lots of fun and great way to cool down bef0re you head back home after driving the backroads all day.

 

OK, here are some of the places I've enjoyed off roading if you want something a LOT more "4WD experience" then a forest service road... Check out Yacolt Burn State Forest. Amazing place with lots of hiking trails, camping sites, etc. And some decent 4WD offroading opportunities, especially at Jones Creek Trailhead and Hagen Creek Trail System.

And also check out the Bradley ORV Area which is not in Yacolt Burn State Forest but is nearby.

Yacolt Burn State Forest also has tons of forest service roads that make for rewarding adventures for those less extreme, like myself.

 

sub'd. I have been wanting to get out on a trail with my taco.. wasn't to sure where to go and being I live in Happy Valley, OR this is good ifo

 

I'm from Washougal across the Columbia from Troutdale. There are some easy trails up in the hills behind Camas and Washougal if you don't mind a little drive. Lots of areas to explore on and by Larch mountain.

 

New to the portland area, I have experience offroad and with tacomas, but my current tacoma is stock for now. I'd like to get out and explore a little if anyone is interested

 

Good info