Dan LochExplorer

This 8.5 mile roundtrip hike to Green Lakes basecamp gains elevation gradually as it meanders along beautiful Fall Creek with numerous small cascades. Depending on the season (expect significant snow on the trail through early-to-mid June) the stark contrast of the snow with creek is beautiful, though the wildflowers blooming in the meadows along the creek in the summer are equally beautiful. I...

Why Go? Avoid the crowds in summer and have the entire 33 mile long rim and 21 square miles of beautiful Crater Lake to yourself. Sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away; stars and a milky way you can get lost in for days. Expect solitude and beautiful scenery, nothing less. The 360 degree views from top of Watchman Peak, Hillman Peak, Mt Scott and Garfield Peak are breathtaking. ...

The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is 12 miles of rugged, steep coastline with many hidden & secluded beaches and coves, and the Natural Bridges section is one of the most iconic (and most photographed) along the entire Corridor.There are several hikes above and around the natural bridges, including one across the top of a natural bridge. Difficulty varies from beginner to advanced depe...

Numerous starting points with over 550 miles of trail and easily 50+ different featured trails depending on length and what type of activity you are are looking for. One of the more popular trails, and rightfully so, is Canyon Creek Lakes Trail. This 16 mile roundtrip hike has an overall elevation gain of 2,600 feet but is still quite popular on the summer weekends. It can be done as a long day...

The Trek: Words cannot describe the unparalleled beauty and scenery you will experience on this trek. The journey starts at Schynige Platte where you get your first up-close glimpse of the Berner Oberland including the Eiger, Jungfrau, Monch, and Wetterhorn. From there you will wind up and down through beautiful valleys and vistas offering breathtaking panoramas, often sharing the trail with lo...

It may look quite intimidating from the base and surrounding areas but this hike/climb to the summit is quite straightforward and the standard route is non-technical. That being said, there are areas with some significant exposure with 2200 foot drops on its north and east faces that will definitely get your heart pumping should you chose to explore those areas. The spire summit itself is rathe...

Pilot Rock is one of the most prominent features in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and is visible from over 40 miles away in the Shasta Valley of northern California and the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon.Similar to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, though much smaller in stature, Pilot Rock is a columnar basalt volcanic core located 1.6 miles north of the CA border. It provides impressive scr...

Words and photos cannot accurately depict the beauty you will find in this area. The breathtaking emerald waters of Oeschinen Lake are the highlight of this incredible hike that requires little effort reach. The surrounding Alps provide and unbeatable backdrop, and in warmer months, multiple waterfalls can be seen and heard cascading into its waters from the surrounding mountains. You will like...

The Location: With 360,000+ acres and 534 miles of trails, the Eagle Cap Wilderness is Oregon’s largest wilderness area. With rugged terrain similar to the nearby Sawtooth’s and distant Trinity Alps, this park's options for adventure are endless. This wilderness area is pristine despite its high use in the summer months. Please remember Leave No Trace principles and check out potential fire lim...

The Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River is a hidden secret in the Pacific Northwest. This virtually untouched 34-mile section boasts some of the most pristine and secluded scenery in Oregon. Bald eagles, osprey, and black bears are frequently (if not always) spotted along the way. This beauty of a waterway, is also a beast, and should not be taken lightly. It is HIGHLY recommended that y...

Mill Creek Falls is a lesser-known gem in Southern Oregon. At 173 ft it is one of the tallest in the area, and Barr Creek Falls, plunging 240 ft, is less than a quarter mile further down the trail. The viewpoints can be accessed year-round though flows often fluctuate and spring/winter may best for greater flows. If conditions are right, the falls will freeze/partially freeze offering great pho...