14 • THE ASTORIAN
WINTER GUIDE
SATuRdAy, dEcEmbER 18, 2021
How to hike in the rain in Astoria
By NIKKI DAVIDSON
The Astorian
According to the weather and climate
data website Weather Atlas, it rains nearly
200 days a year in Astoria.
Meanwhile, there are more than a dozen
trails in Astoria and Warrenton, with a com-
bined 135 miles to explore. With proper
preparation and gear, hiking in the rain can
be an enjoyable winter activity and prevent
a nasty case of cabin fever.
Choose the right path
On rainy days, it’s best to avoid steep
drop-offs and trails that require maneuver-
ing over rocks or tree branches that may be
slippery. Watch out for hidden dangers on
wooden staircases and bridges; the surfaces
can be hazardous when soaked with mois-
ture and covered with a layer of slime.
Hiking in the cover of an old-growth for-
est will provide a little shelter from the rain
and may even keep the trail drier in some
areas. Portions of the North Head Light-
house trail in Cape Disappointment State
Park and Fort Stevens State Park are paved
and forested, creating an ideal route.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. For the
most part, it’s wise to stick to shorter hikes
during rainy weather, as you can always
head back if the weather takes a turn for
the worse. Tell a friend about your plans so
they’ll know to keep tabs on your return.
You should continuously monitor the
weather conditions before and during the
hike, no matter the distance. If lightning is
on the radar, stay home.
It’s critical to keep track of when the
sun is predicted to set, as it gets dark very
quickly during the winter months. For this
reason, even if it’s just a short hike, you
should bring an emergency flashlight just
in case something happens on the trail and
you’re out longer than expected.
Keep in mind, even urban paths like the
12.8 mile Astoria Riverwalk may require
an emergency flashlight. Although the trail
goes through downtown, many portions of
the course are not lit and become very dark
after sundown.
Dress for the weather
It doesn’t hurt to have multiple layers of
protection for your gear and cell phone, even
if you use waterproof products. Keep a cell
phone, GPS or weather radio inside a plastic
ziplock bag. Pack an extra trash bag to keep
things dry if other options have failed.
Avoid cotton at all costs, as the fibers will
hold the moisture close to your skin. Wool
and synthetic layers will help keep you
Photos by Nikki davidson/The Astorian
A group of hikers watch surfers in the rain at Short Sand Beach in Oswald West State Park.
warm and dry under a raincoat.
Proper footwear is essential, including
the type of socks you wear; wool socks will
keep your feet dry. Waterproof hiking boots
are best, as there’s likely to be plenty of pud-
dles out on the trail.
Beware of lightning
If you’re out on the trail and the weather
takes a turn for the worse, there are essential
rules to remember.
Lightning strikes structures or objects
closest to the storm, so seek lower ground
if you’re on a mountain top or ridge. You
can figure out your proximity to the storm
by counting the seconds between a flash of
lightning and the sound of thunder. If the
sound of thunder comes less than 30 sec-
onds after lightning, you need to find shel-
ter immediately. If a shelter is not available,
try to make your body as small as possible,
crouch onto the balls of your feet with your
feet touching, tuck your head and cover your
ears with your hands.
The rainy months in Astoria don’t have
to be clouded with cabin fever. With proper
gear and preparation, hiking can be one of
the best winter activities on the North Coast.
The trail to Short Sand Beach in Oswald West
State Park is blanketed by trees and is a short
half-mile walk through the woods.
Rain stimulates mushroom growth, so hikers
can expect to see some interesting fungi
formations on a wet weather hike.
Rainy weather hikers should prepare to
dodge mud puddles and wear water resistant
boots, pants and coats.