This is especially true at popular trailheads and a particular problem for backpackers who leave their vehicles unattended overnight. Thus, hikers need to take reasonable precautions. Do not encourage the criminals by providing unnecessary temptation. Preferably, leave the new car at home and drive to the trailhead in an older vehicle. Even more important, leave nothing of value inside, especially not in plain sight.
Safety
While backpacking is not an inherently dangerous sport, there are certain risks you take anytime you venture away from the comforts of civilization. The trips in this book go through remote wilderness terrain. In an emergency, medical supplies and facilities will not be immediately available. The fact that a hike is described in this book does not guarantee that it will be safe for you. Hikers must be properly equipped and in adequate physical condition to handle a given trail. Because trail conditions, weather, and hiker ability all vary considerably, the author and the publisher cannot assume responsibility for anyone’s safety. Use plenty of common sense and a realistic appraisal of your abilities, and you will be able to enjoy these trips safely.
Spectacular scenery makes the Snowgrass Flat Loop (Trip 11) extremely popular.
The following section outlines the common hazards encountered in the Portland area outdoors and discusses how to approach them.
Plant Hazards
POISON OAK If you recognize only one plant in the Pacific Northwest, it should probably be this one, which grows as a low-lying shrub or bush. Its glossy, oaklike leaves grow in clusters of three and turn bright red in the fall before dropping off in the winter. The leaves and stems contain an oil (urushiol) that causes a strong allergic reaction in most people, creating a long-lived, maddeningly itchy rash where the oil contacts the skin. Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible, and clean any clothing and pets that may have come into contact with the plant as well.
poison oak
Photo by Jane Huber
Animal Hazards
BEARS Black bears are found throughout Oregon and Washington. If you encounter one, stay calm, avoid eye contact, and back away slowly. In areas known to have bears, use the food storage boxes provided at campgrounds, and carry your food and any other scented items in bear canisters.
MOUNTAIN LIONS Although these large felines are still rarely seen and pose minimal threat, reported sightings in Oregon and Washington have recently increased as population growth has caused cougar habitat to shift gradually into more urban areas. In 2018 a cougar was suspected of having killed a hiker on Mount Hood, marking the first-ever fatal mountain lion attack in Oregon history. If you do encounter an aggressive mountain lion, stay calm, maintain eye contact, make yourself look as large as possible, and do not run away. If you have children with you, pick them up.
RACCOONS AND MICE While not a threat to humans, these scavengers have learned that campgrounds and trail camps are prime locations for free meals. They are a major hazard for food supplies. Never leave your food unattended, and always store it somewhere safe at night—ideally hanging in a critter-proof bag from a nearby tree. Food lockers are provided at many trail camps.
RATTLESNAKES Common in high-desert environments, these venomous creatures like to bask on hot rocks in the sun and typically begin to emerge from winter hibernation as temperatures warm in spring. They usually flee at the first sight of people and will attack only if threatened. Be wary when hiking off-trail, and don’t put your hands where you can’t see them when scrambling on rocky slopes. Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal. If you are bitten, the goal is to reduce the rate at which the poison circulates through your body: Try to remain calm, keep the bite site below the level of your heart, remove any constricting items (rings, watches) from the soon-to-be-swollen extremity, and do not apply ice or chemical cold to the bite, as this can cause further damage to the surrounding tissue. Seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
Northern Pacific rattlesnake
Photo by Jane Huber
TICKS These parasites are common in areas of scrub oak (such as along the Columbia River Gorge and the Rogue River in Oregon) and the forests of western Washington, especially during early spring. Always perform regular body checks when hiking through tick country. If you find a tick attached to you, do not try to pull it out with your fingers or to pinch the body; doing so can increase the risk of infection. Using tweezers, gently pull the tick out by lifting upward from the base of the body where it is attached to your skin. Pull straight out until the tick releases, and do not twist or jerk, as this may break off the mouthparts under your skin. Treat any tick bite by washing the area with soap and water, disinfecting it, and keeping it clean to prevent infection.
Ticks are known for transmitting Lyme disease, but cases of Lyme in Oregon and Washington are relatively uncommon. Even if you are bitten, an infected tick must be attached for 24 hours to transmit the disease. Lyme disease can be life-threatening if not diagnosed in its early phases. Common early symptoms include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a blotchy skin rash that clears centrally to produce a characteristic bull’s-eye shape 3–30 days after exposure. If you fear that you have been exposed to Lyme disease, consult a doctor immediately.
Physical Dangers
GIARDIA Giardia lamblia is a microscopic organism found in many backcountry water sources. Existing as a dormant cyst while in the water, it develops in the gastrointestinal tract upon consumption and can cause diarrhea, excessive flatulence, foul-smelling excrement, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramps. All water taken from the backcountry, even if it looks perfectly clear, should be purified with a filter, with a chemical treatment, or by boiling it for 3 minutes.
HEATSTROKE Heatstroke (hyperthermia) occurs when the body is unable to control its internal temperature and overheats. Usually brought on by excessive exposure to the sun and accompanying dehydration, symptoms include cramping, headache, and mental confusion. Treatment entails rapid, aggressive cooling of the body through whatever means available—cooling the head and torso is most important. Stay hydrated and have some type of sun protection for your head if you expect to travel along a hot, exposed section of trail.
HYPOTHERMIA The opposite of heatstroke, this life-threatening condition occurs when the body is unable to stay adequately warm and its core temperature begins to drop. Initial symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, mental confusion, slurred speech, and weakness. Cold, wet weather poses the greatest hazard as wet clothes conduct heat away from the body much faster than dry layers. Fatigue reduces the body’s ability to produce its own heat, and wind poses an increased risk as it can quickly strip away warmth. Immediate treatment is critical. Raise the body’s core temperature as fast as possible. Get out of the wind, take off wet clothes, drink warm beverages, eat simple energy foods, and take shelter in a warm tent or sleeping bag. Do not drink alcohol, as this dilates the blood vessels and causes increased heat loss.
Taking Precautions
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