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Hikes and Rambles sponsored by Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation

Lake Oswego, Oregon

Explore the many trails of our local mountains, rivers, coast and parks. Join us on group "Hikes," easier "Rambles" or mid-level "Easy Hikes," planned and led by experienced volunteers. Priorities are to enjoy healthful activity in beautiful, natural surroundings with like-minded friends. Outings are planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays, most within two hours' drive of Lake Oswego. Be sure to check the Scheduled Hikes page before the outing for updates; weather, trail/road conditions, or wildfires, might require a late-breaking change.

To have a printed seasonal schedule mailed to you, or be added to our email newsletter mailing list to receive weekly updates, email lohikesnews@gmail.com. For general questions, email our Steering Committee at lohikersrudder@gmail.com.

Outing Descriptions: 

See the Scheduled Hikes page for destinations, distance, elevation gain and loss, and other helpful information.

Departure Times: 

Check the Scheduled Hikes page to see information on departure times and possible 2nd meeting places. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time to sign the liability release form and hike roster, arrange a carpool, and get driving directions. We leave promptly at the stated times. Return times will vary, depending on hiking and driving distances.

What to Wear: 

Clothes suitable for weather conditions. Breathable, moisture-wicking layers are ideal. Sturdy, lug-soled, waterproof walking shoes or boots are recommended.

What to Bring: 

Daypack containing lunch and trail snacks, sufficient water, sun protection, personal first aid kit, extra jacket or vest, rain gear or umbrella, and mask or face covering. Also bring extra shoes and plastic bag for muddy items (your driver will thank you). Hiking poles are often helpful, but optional. Ticks and poison oak may be encountered.

More Details: 

To prepare for a hike (especially for new hikers), see our Hiker's Guide. The American Hiking Society's Hiking 101 website also has many helpful tips.

Carpooling & Fees: 

A $1 per person Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation fee is payable to the hike leader before departure. Carpools may be arranged among participants at the meeting places. Carpool drivers may request that passengers wear masks in their car. With COVID precautions, a hiker may feel more comfortable driving alone to the trailhead. For those who have arranged to share a ride, suggested carpool donations to your driver (based on mileage to the trailhead) are listed in the outing description in parentheses ($ from 1st meeting place/$ from 2nd meeting place). All mileages listed in the schedule are round-trip. Exact change is appreciated. Bridge tolls, entrance fees, and parking fees are listed separately and are shared among car occupants.

Parking Passes: 

A Northwest Forest Pass (NWFP) may be required for each vehicle at selected trailheads in National Forests. Click here for details on obtaining a NW Forest Pass. Under the heading "Interagency Passes" (part way down the page), there is a link for online purchases and a link a list of local vendors who sell passes, searchable by city. 

An Oregon State Park Pass (SPP) is available for Day Use, where required, at Oregon State Park trailheads.

A Washington Discover Pass (WDP) is required on most Washington state-owned land. Click here for details on  obtaining a Washington Discover Pass. Drivers are responsible for obtaining passes prior to the hike. 

Conditions and Safety: 

Every attempt is made to not cancel outings. The location may be changed for hiking or driving safety.

Region-wide conditions (such as excessive heat, fire, ice, or poor air quality) may require an outing to be cancelled. In addition, outings are cancelled if Lake Oswego public schools are closed or delayed due to weather. Check school closure status online here

Leaders may refuse to take anyone judged not properly equipped or prepared. Participants accept responsibility for their personal safety. No pets permitted.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, if you have a cough, fever, shortness of breath, feel unwell or have been in contact with anyone with these symptoms in the last 24 hours or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID in the last 10 days, please refrain from participating in hikes and rambles.

Meeting Places: 

All hike and ramble outings leave from the 1st Meeting Place at the time shown in the outing description.

An outing may also have a second meeting place; the abbreviation of the second meeting place (see the list below) and time are shown in the outing description. No pre-registration is required. 

1st Meeting Place:

WP        Westlake Park, Lake Oswego - WEST parking lot. From Kruse Way, turn north onto Westlake Dr, turn right (east) onto Melrose St, and take the first right into the parking lot.

Standard 2nd Meeting Places:

AWHD   Airport Way Home Depot, 11633 NE Glenn Widing Dr, Portland, SW corner of parking lot (Exit 24-B off I-205)

CFM       Clackamas Fred Meyer, 16301 SE 82nd Dr, Clackamas, north lot near Elmer's (Exit 12-A off I-205)

EOT        End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, 1726 Washington St, Oregon City, parking lot by covered wagons (Exit 10 off I-205)

JBT          Jantzen Beach Target, 1555 N Tomahawk Island Dr, Portland, SE corner of parking lot (Exit 308 off I-5, left on N. Hayden Island, left on N Parker)

L&C        Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site, 1 Jordan Rd, Troutdale, paved parking lot with restrooms (Exit 18 off I-84)

SPS         Sunset Plaza Safeway, 13485 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, SE corner of parking lot (Exit 67 off US 26W, north on NW Murray Blvd)

WT          Wilsonville Target, 25925 SW Heather Pl, Wilsonville, NW corner of parking lot  (Exit 286/Elligsen Rd. east off I-5)

CLICK HERE  for a map of these meeting places.