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Welcome to Fall

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”
— Unknown

In October of 2020 I finally moved to the Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the United States after dreaming of doing so for over a decade. An area known for it’s rainy climate, obsession with coffee, endless forests, craft beers, wine country and the birthplace of alternative rock. After spending almost four decades in the consistently sunny climate of Southern California, I craved seasons like nothing else mattered and I was not disappointed!

Over the course of the next few years I lived outside of Seattle, WA and then later in SE Portland, OR. I fell deeply in love with each season and the intrinsic timing of nature where everything shifted in it’s entirety every 90 days like clockwork. The end of summer in the PNW can stretch long into September, but once October comes fall is assuredly in the air. The days become noticeably shorter and the air has a snap to it that lingers long past dawn. All of the sudden the leaves began to turn - each maple tree ablaze with color. Golds, greens, russet browns, rich burgundy reds - they all take their time moving through an enormous range of tones before finally letting go and fluttering to the forest floor below.

But it Rains All The Time

I know, I know, the PNW has a reputation for being dreary, gray and raining non-stop - particularly Seattle. When I announced that I was moving to Washington, the most common response was, “But it rains all the time!” Now, it will rain some most days in winter but it doesn’t rain every day, all day. The rain brings lush green forests, rich earthy soil, an abundance of waterfalls unlike anything else and a stunning landscape with everything from lakes and rivers and untouched coast to mountain peaks and rugged plains and endless stretches of forest. The higher latitude means a bigger swing in seasons and in day length - winter days are shorter and darker, but summer days the sunlight stretches into 10:00 pm. The rain is manageable with the right gear (see favorites below!) and the right attitude. Besides, when winter is bookended by such glorious seasons as Fall and Spring…and you might get a few snow days…it’s not only bearable, but a welcome time after a long, hot summer.

My Favorite Fall Places

Now that I’ve convinced you to give the PNW a try in fall, here are some of my favorite places in both Oregon and Washington! Please keep in mind that if you’re heading out to any of the hiking trails, I strongly advise checking weather apps as the seasons can have unpredictable weather especially as you head towards Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier or the Columbia River Gorge. Where it is prettier, it is wilder - be prepared!

• Silver Falls State Park, OR - Hike The Trail of Ten Falls

  • Hands down one of my favorites in OR - this is more like 10 miles than 7.5 as listed, but you have an opportunity to cut across and make it a little shorter half-way in. You will walk along and behind stunning waterfalls! This is a must-see park in spring (after any ice thaws) and fall!

• Waterfall Corridor, Columbia River Gorge, OR

  • Simply driving from Portland to the Waterfall corridor in the Columbia River Gorge is a wonderful idea! Stop at the Portland Women’s Forum Overlook and the Vista House then continue into the waterfall corridor. Stop and marvel at each waterfall along the way and/or park and hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls! Feeling adventurous and prepared? Do the stunning Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop. It’s only 5-ish miles but don’t underestimate the effort! You’ll be rewarded with gorge-ous views the whole way!

• Portland Japanese Garden, OR

  • The garden is particularly stunning in the fall when the Japanese maples turn fiery red and orange. Make a reservation when you arrive for tea and treats in the cafe after your walk!

• Forest Park, OR - 64 epic forest trails!

  • See the witches castle, run 80 miles of dirt, rip through soft forest floors, interconnected trails and find out why the Nasties are so nasty (steep fire roads). Whether you want to feel totally isolated or have peek-a-boo views of one of my fave bridges ever (St. John’s), Forest Park is a nonstop source of year-round forest fun!

• Pumpkin Patch / Sunflower Maize on Sauvie Island, OR

  • A fun detour for kids and adults alike - enjoy the best of fall on an absolutely adorable farm on a sweet little island! Grab some locally raised meats, hand-made goods and farm-fresh veggies while you’re there.

• Packwood Lake, WA 

  • This 10-mile relatively flat hike in Washington is absolutely stunning. Even the drive out is jaw dropping! After a gorgeous few miles in the forest you will get peeks of turquoise water as the lake peeks through! Bring a picnic and plan on spending some time here - on a clear day the reflections are simply stunning!

• Snoqualmie Falls, WA - Salish Lodge

  • Looking for a romantic getaway? This is an incredibly beautiful location - both the wilderness, the falls and the beautiful hotel are hard to beat for a weekend trip! Indulge in the on-site spa, hiking trails, restaurant and cozy rooms (I suggest getting one with a fireplace)! Take day trips for gorgeous hikes and return to the lodge as your home base!

• Pike Place Public Market Center, WA

  • Yes, it’s cliche! Yes, it is super fun! Yes, the first Starbucks is there but I am not a Starbucks fan - I don’t like the taste of the beans and I don’t like the mega-corporate vibes. I DO love Storyville!!! Not only are you going to get way better coffee drinks and beans, but you can support a local business and not a monolithic empire. Get some of the best fresh fish at the market (hello, salmon!), dig in to an Ellenos yogurt, grab some fresh cut flowers and take yourself out to lunch. You simply cannot go wrong with a day here! Staying the night? Check out the Edgewater!

• Leavenworth, WA

  • Head out to this picturesque alpine destination, complete with Bavarian-style architecture and German-inspired festivals for Oktoberfest and incredible fall forest colors! You’ll want to stay out here for a few days, so snag a room at a lodge or hotel!

• Mt. Rainier, WA

  • There are tons of trails around, on and about this massive 263,000+ square acre park. If you’re going in fall, please be prepared for weather changes and keep in mind any requirements on having chains in the vehicle after certain dates! Whether you’re driving through the park or decide to do any hiking - it is time well spent in a beautiful setting. This site has a wonderful collection of fall hikes to check out!

Getting Ready for Fall in the PNW!

• For hiking reviews, trip ideas and tracking - I use All Trails

• My favorite rain boots for all-day wear - Hunter Women’s Play Tall Rain Boot (you can get additional socks or liners for these)

• My favorite hiking boots for fall weather - Merrell Women's Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

• A puffer jacket with a hood is a MUST - I love my Athleta jacket and have used it for years!!! This model looks fantastic too!

• A Packable Rain Jacket! This Marmot jacket is eco-friendly, taped seams, cut for everyday wear and it’s easy to move in! Highly recommend getting a fun color to brighten up fall and winter days!

I hope you enjoyed these recommendations! Writing and remembering autumns past made me miss the beauty of the PNW! Let me know what your favorite places are! What did I miss? What’s on your list? Let me know below!!

Happy Travels,