By Junior C.

If you’ve ever wanted to get away from city life and just breathe, hiking in the Pacific Northwest might be exactly what you need. Recently, I took a trip with a group of friends to explore one of the most popular hiking spots in Oregon—the Trail of Ten Falls—and it turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve had.

“Hello everyone… I’ll be showing you guys hikes in the Pacific Northwest,” I said at the start of my video. What followed was an adventure full of fresh air, loud waterfalls, and unforgettable moments. The Trail of Ten Falls is located in Silver Falls State Park, and it’s known for its amazing views of—just like the name says—ten waterfalls along one trail. It was a bit of a drive from Tacoma, but the journey made it even more exciting.

Hiking with friends made the experience even better. We laughed, helped each other through tougher parts of the trail, and just enjoyed being outside. Moments like that show how important connection and community are. At Mount Tahoma, we talk a lot about belonging and collaboration, and this trip reminded me how those values exist outside of school too. Working together and encouraging one another helped us finish the hike and made it more fun along the way.

At the end of my video, I shared clips from other hikes I’ve done in Washington. There are so many beautiful trails right here in our state, which makes it easy for students to get outside and explore. You don’t have to travel far to find something amazing.

I would honestly rate the experience a “10 out of 10,” and I recommend it to anyone looking for something new to do. Hiking pushes you to be curious, to try something different, and to appreciate the world around you. It also shows how important it is to respect nature and each other.

Whether you’re going with friends or family, the Pacific Northwest has something for everyone. Sometimes, all it takes is a trail, good people, and a little courage to create memories that last.

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