The Oregon House and Senate have passed SB 179 to eliminate landowner liability for most injuries sustained during recreational activity. This brings an end to six years of controversy over what constituted “recreational activity”. Oregon legislature strengthens immunity laws for owners of public trails Oregon law to restore rec immunity, keep trails open, heads toContinue reading “Oregon ensures landowners with hiking trails are immune from lawsuits”
Tag Archives: hiking
Banks-Vernonia is now a National Recreation Trail – updated with info from Michael Calhoun
You’ve likely seen the news that the Banks-Vernonia State Trail is now a National Recreation Trail. Seemed like it was all over my feed for a couple weeks. Banks-Vernonia State Trail receives national designation – The Chronicle & Chief Banks-Vernonia State Trail garners national recognition – The Spotlight This popular trail just west of PortlandContinue reading “Banks-Vernonia is now a National Recreation Trail – updated with info from Michael Calhoun”
“First Day Hikes” on the Banks-Vernonia Trail, January 1st
Park rangers from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will be leading hikes on January 1st as part of its “First Day Hikes” program. The hikes nearest to our county are on the Buxton Trailhead of the Banks-Vernonia Trail, and inside the interior trail system of Stub Stewart State Park. The L.L. Stub Stewart hikeContinue reading ““First Day Hikes” on the Banks-Vernonia Trail, January 1st”
The Oldest Trees Around
South of the county line, just past Cornelius Pass, lies one of our area’s newest parks. The Burlington Creek Forest Park is part of the larger Portland Metro master parks plan finalized by the Metro Council in 2016, based on a 2013 voter levy approving funding for large-scale restoration projects in the Portland metro area.Continue reading “The Oldest Trees Around”
Peace, Porcupines, and Stream Ecology at Clear Creek
Have you spotted a Porcupine in the woods? Still looking for your first Western Terrestrial Garter Snake? Want to see a sprawling Beaver pond? Clear Creek Road has blessed us with these unusual finds. Tucked away on Columbia County’s southern border, Clear Creek is primarily frequented by rockhounds and elk hunters. It’s a Weyerhaeuser property,Continue reading “Peace, Porcupines, and Stream Ecology at Clear Creek”
What would you like to see more of on Wild Columbia?
I looked at the stats for June and saw we had 12,880 visits for the month. Not bad for a county with a population of 50,000. We knew when we started that this website would fill a need, but I didn’t dream it would be this popular. Thank you for being a part of ourContinue reading “What would you like to see more of on Wild Columbia?”
An eventful backcountry waterfall hike
Some time ago, Jon and I lumbered through the wilderness to reach one of the highest and most unique waterfalls in Columbia County. The off-trail route was steeped in bushwacking and a steady drumbeat of wildlife sightings, including the coolest shed elk antler we’ve ever found. Unfortunately, the property status has changed and the fallsContinue reading “An eventful backcountry waterfall hike”
Kauppi Lake and Weyerhaeuser permits
We’ve lost a lot of access to forest land over the last ten years. Many places I grew up exploring have been restricted or made off limits. But you can still find nice spots out there if you know the right route. This week, we’re showing you the way to Kauppi Lake. No matter howContinue reading “Kauppi Lake and Weyerhaeuser permits”
Scout Lake – Clatskanie’s secret getaway
In 1934, the Evenson family donated “Scout Lake” and 165 acres of surrounding forest to the City of Clatskanie for the benefit of community youth. Today, it’s one of the most pleasant forest lakes in Columbia County. Most county residents outside of Clatskanie don’t even know Scout Lake exists. So Matt and I decided toContinue reading “Scout Lake – Clatskanie’s secret getaway”
Family hike from Pisgah Trailhead
The Pisgah Trailhead of the Crown Z Trail might not have the marshes, birding, and wildlife of the trail to the east, or the forest solitude and geological wonders of the trail to the west, but….it’s there. So last year on the first day of spring, my family went on a walk from Pisgah toContinue reading “Family hike from Pisgah Trailhead”
Wild Columbia County 