About Northwest Trails

Our Story

Northwest Trails began in 2003 when I, worked as a wildland firefighter in Northern California. During fire season, we'd hike trails in the mornings when fire danger was low, building our physical fitness for the demanding work ahead. In winter, our crew shifted to prescribed burns, vegetation thinning, and creating fire breaks in national parks, wilderness areas, and national forests.

Fighting lightning-sparked fires took me to some incredible places. As I discovered locations I loved, I started taking friends on weekend trips. Unlike my work visits where we were focused on fire suppression, these trips gave us time to explore, take photographs, and camp at our favorite spots.

As our weekend adventures grew, we decided to form a hiking club called Northwest Trails. I used my web development experience to document all the places we visited on NorthwestTrails.com, creating a resource for others who wanted to explore these amazing locations.

A New Chapter

After transitioning to a different career, I took down the content and the website sat dormant for years. In mid-2025, I decided to rebuild Northwest Trails from the ground up.

The current focus is on Activities and Gear—helping you prepare for your outdoor adventures with the right equipment and knowledge. Once this foundation is solid, you'll find detailed information about destinations like national parks, trailheads, campgrounds, lakes, and rivers throughout the region. The site will also feature events including mountain bike races, running races, rock climbing events, guided tours, and workshops where you can learn new outdoor skills.

Coverage Area

Northwest Trails covers the Pacific Northwest and Northern California:

  • Northern California (San Francisco north)
  • Oregon
  • Idaho
  • Washington

With such a vast area to explore, we'll rely on the hiking community to contribute trail information and photography as the site grows.

Activities

You'll find information about non-motorized outdoor activities including:

  • Hiking & Backpacking
  • Camping
  • Trail Running
  • Photography
  • Mountain Climbing
  • Mountain Biking
  • Road Biking & Bike Touring
  • Canoeing & Kayaking
  • Swimming
  • Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
  • And more

Our Mission

Northwest Trails exists to inspire and share outdoor adventure while protecting natural places. We believe in Leave No Trace principles, environmental education, and environmental stewardship. The more you know about and appreciate natural places, the more likely you'll help protect them for future generations.