It may not feel like it given the snowfall we experienced this Spring, but the calendar has turned to May and the promise of longer, sunnier days in Oregon lay ahead. For many of us, that means it’s time for the annual tradition of dusting off the camping equipment, rigging up the fly line, or breaking in a new pair of hiking boots.

Oregon Wild's webcast on how and where to snowshoe in Central Oregon. Wilderness Program Manager Erik Fernandez presents suggestions regarding everything from safety to gear to picking the most scenic trails. This webcast also covers some "Snowshoeing 101" for those new to the activity as well as some tips on locations that would be applicable to all ability levels.

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Not long after moving to Eugene for graduate school, I took a field trip to the Warner Creek fire area outside of Oakridge. At that time it was 10 years since the 1991 fire. I remember the tall black snags rising tall above, and sapling trees crowded all around me -- head high and coated in dew that soaked through my sub-par rain gear.

Guest author Bobbie Snead from the Northwest Nature blog spent a year exploring the Hackleman Creek Watershed, at the headwaters of the McKenzie River, getting to know its uplands, valley, and seasonal lake.

*This article originally appeared in the Eugene Weekly on April 21, 2022*

We asked our staff what their favorite place in Oregon was, here's what they had to say:

Oregon Wild's Wilderness Campaign Coordinator Erik Fernandez shares tips and suggestions regarding everything from safety to gear to picking the most scenic trails. We'll include some "Snowshoeing 101" for those new to the activity as well as some tips on locations around Mount Hood that would be applicable to all ability levels.

Last fall, four intrepid adventurers broke trail and became the first to hike the Blue Mountains Trail in Northeastern Oregon.

People enjoy different hikes for different reasons. Some like to get to a summit to enjoy the views, some like wildflower meadows, and others like finding huge trees. Count me in for all of this, but my ideal hike definitely includes both beautiful forests and a free-flowing river or stream (or multiple!) There’s something about how much more lush the vegetation is along a stream, the sound of burbling water as you hike along, or dipping your hands into icy water to splash on your face at a rest stop.