An interview with Central Oregon rock climber Ian Caldwell, who is known as the “Mayor of Smith Rock.”

The snow has retreated to mountaintops, wildflowers are blooming and the days are long. In short, it’s summer—time to grab the hiking gear for a day-trek or backpacking adventure into Oregon’s remote beaches, rainforests, glacier-covered peaks, wild and scenic rivers, painted canyons and vast stretches of high desert.
Revel in the state’s biodiversity—marine mammals and birds, soaring raptors and grazing herds of elk, sheep and antelope. Breathe the air from the summit of Strawberry Mountain, hitch up your pants to cross a tributary of the Pacific or peer into the starry skies from your sleeping bag. Take the kids and teach them to walk softly through the rugged and delicate terrain of this state.
1859 culled eight hikes of varied length and difficulty, many in wilderness areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service or U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Be sure to check current conditions and restrictions, availability of water and campsites before entering the wilderness or starting a multiday hike.