July 21st: I left Atlanta GA and the 100 degree heat/100% humidity and headed out to visit my brother in Portland OR. We only had two nights to camp out, so we decided on the short, but quintessential Portland Loop around Eagle Creek up to Wahtum Lake, past Mt. Chinidere, and then follow the Benson Plateau back. We slept the first night at 7.5 mile Camp by the river, and the second night, we slept tentless by Wahtum Lake. Conditions were perfect with highs in the 70's and it got into the 40's at night around the lake. The views on top of Chinidere were some of my favorite as there was still snow on the backside at 4200 ft. To note, there were heaps of mosquitoes on the Benson plateau, but they weren't so bad around Wahtum Lake. Here were some of my favorite pics:


Tunnel Falls on the Eagle Creek Trail


Our second night site on Wahtum Lake


Some good views from the top of Chinidere. Benson Plateau/Mt. St. Helens/Rainier in distance.


Near the top of Chinidere, looking out to Mt. Hood.

Edited by rbeard on 08/15/2011 13:24:22 MDT.

Adam,

That's a great loop, with everything the Gorge has to offer. Best of all, the TH is a mere hour away from Portland! Thanks for sharing.