We took a trip over the summer where we got to see and do so many classic Pacific Northwest activities. This Pacific Northwest itinerary is definitely jam-packed and we were pretty exhausted by the end of the trip; however, we were really happy with all that we fit in! Just be aware this itinerary is full of lots of miles and sunrise wake ups and geared towards active, adventurous travelers.
Responsible Recreation in the Pacific Northwest
The Leave No Trace Principles are so important to follow in order to recreate responsibly, stay safe, and keep the Pacific Northwest beautiful for years to come.
There are 7 principles:
- plan ahead and prepare: research current weather and trail conditions, bring enough food and water, bring/download an offline map, prepare for crowds in certain areas
- travel and camp on durable surfaces: be sure not to hike off trail or use social trails! Camp at designated areas only
- dispose of waste properly: even an orange peel or cherry pit can disturb the ecosystem and take years to decompose. Be sure to pack out absolutely everything!
- leave what you find: do not take rocks or build cairns of rocks, do not carve into trees or other natural object
- minimize campfire impacts: know current fire restrictions, keep fires small and only use established firerings
- respect wildlife: be sure to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and 25 yards away from all other animals
- be considerate of other visitors: do not play music on the trail, give the right of way to uphill hikers
How to get to the Pacific Northwest
Based on our itinerary, the best option is to fly into Seatac International Airport (SEA) and out of Portland International Airport (PDX). However, you can do it in reverse if that works out better.
We arrived in the evening prior to our first day and immediately drove to Eatonville, Washington which is halfway between Seattle and Mount Rainier National Park.
Day 1: Explore Mount Rainer National Park
If you slept in Eatonville, wake up bright and early to head to Mount Rainier for sunrise! We left at 5 AM and made the one hour drive hoping to catch sunrise. Don’t be like us though! We didn’t know the fog was extremely bad and obstructing any view we’d hope to get. Luckily, the park website has live cameras where you can check park conditions and get some extra sleep if it’s foggy.
Hike the Skyline Trail
Even though it was foggy, we still set out on one of our most anticipated hikes, the Skyline Trail. If it’s not foggy, you’ll be treated to incredible, close-up views of beautiful Mount Rainier on this 5.6 mile trail with 1,788 feet of elevation gain. Located on the Paradise side of Mount Rainier, the parking lot is large but fills early. We encountered snow and ice on the trail in the middle of July!
Snow and Bench Lake Trail
This short 2.3 mile trail is a must do! With minimal elevation (400 ft), panoramic views, and multiple lakes, this is great for families or a quick add on to your day. This is also the perfect hike to do if fog is obstructing Mount Rainier as the views are still incredible!
Reflection Lake
Right across from the Snow and Bench Lake Trailhead is beautiful Reflection Lake. On a clear day, you can see Mount Rainier beautifully reflected.
Narada Falls
Narada Falls is located right next to the road and is easily accessible by car. It does get crowded, but the parking lot is large. At the end of the short 0.2 mile trail, you can view the entire 168-foot waterfall.
Sunset at Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail
Now it’s time to head to the Sunrise section of the park.
If you do this trail at sunset, there’s a high likelihood you’ll get a cloud inversion if the conditions are right. This was our first time experiencing a cloud inversion and it was mind blowing! To this day, this was one of the most beautiful sunsets we’ve ever seen.
The Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail is 5.7 miles with 1,112 elevation gain. Be sure to bring a head lamp if you do this for sunset as you’ll be hiking in the dark on the return trip. Also bring layers and gloves as it was very cold at the summit, even in July!
Check in and stay at Alexander’s Lodge
Located in Ashford, Washington, Alexander’s Lodge is a great place to crash after a long and exhausting adventure day! This cozy b&b is perfectly located outside of the park. If you have more time, you could add an extra day at Mount Rainier for more hiking.
Day 2: Explore the Columbia River Gorge
Drive to the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a bit of a drive from Mount Rainier, but definitely worth it. The gorge is massive and forms the boundary between Washington and Oregon. Today you’ll be exploring the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge!
Hike to Wahclella Falls
The short 2 mile hike to Wahclella Falls has minimal elevation gain and a huge reward for such an easy trail!
Walk only a mile through a lush forest until you reach Wahclella Falls, a roaring waterfall surrounded by beautiful greenery.
You can swim here, but be careful as the water is extremely cold. Due to its accessibility, this spot gets crowded, so go early to avoid crowds.
Horsetail Falls
Horsetail Falls is a breathtaking waterfall named after its unique shape, which resembles a horse’s tail. The waterfall cascades down from a height of approximately 176 feet.
Multnomah Falls
Oregon’s most iconic waterfall is popular for a reason! This gorgeous 620 foot waterfall is definitely worth a stop, but prepare for crowds. To avoid crowds, visit at sunrise or on a weekday. We visited on a Saturday midday and the crows definitely took away from the experience and our ability to take photos. Check to see if reservations are currently needed for parking at Multnomah Falls.
Vista House
A quick stop at Vista House is next on your Pacific Northwest Weekend Itinerary. This historic home built in 1917 is a great place to stop and stretch your legs and take in the scenic views of the Columbia River Gorge.
Dinner and drinks at McMenamins Edgefield
This was our first visit to a McMenamins property and it was an experience! Located in Troutdale, you can stay at the resort and enjoy the hot springs or just explore the grounds and have plenty to do! You can truly choose your own adventure here and explore their 74 acre property complete with a massive fruit and vegetable garden, distillery, brewery, winery, small speakeasy-type bars, movie theater, golf course, and fire pits. This place is definitely an experience!
Day 3: Hood River Fruit Loop
Drive and Explore the Hood River Fruit Loop
The Hood River Fruit Loops is a scenic 35 mile driving loop featuring multiple farms, fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and flower fields. It’s impossible to see it all in one day, but you can spend a relaxing day enjoying all this area has to offer.
Some of our favorite stops on the Hood River Fruit Loop:
- Draper Girls Farm: a beautiful view and swing, fresh hard cider, fresh fruits and veggies, goats to feed
- The Old Trunk: amazing antique store that also has berry picking
- Lavender Valley Farm: massive lavender fields with amazing view of Mt. Hood
- The Gorge White House: cider and wine tasting, flower picking, food truck
- Wy’East Vineyard: laid back winery with cute atmosphere and great wines
Day 4: Explore Portland, Oregon
Blue Star Donuts
Start your day with a Portland classic, Blue Star Donuts. It was hard to choose from their huge variety of flavors, but you can’t go wrong with any flavor you choose. They even have vegan options and delicious coffee too.
International Rose Test Garden
Home to more than 10,000 individual rose bushes, we have never seen so many varieties and colors of roses. We loved walking around this beautiful garden to start our morning. The roses are in bloom from late May to October.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Open 10 AM – 4 PM daily, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is a great way to spend a few hours. Allocate enough time to explore the serene grounds, have tea, and take photos. Tickets are $14 per adult and more than worth it.
Powell’s Books
Powell’s Books is basically an iconic Portland landmark! It’s the world’s largest independent bookstore. You could get lost here all day if you wanted to, but be sure to allocate at least a couple of hours to wander. The rooms are color coded and have just about any subject you could imagine. Check out the used section too!
