Impulse bought snow shoes; where do I take them?

P Cwrote:

Skis were considered, but we both know so little about them. The choices/types, all of the components involved, etc. Snowshoes seemed like an easy way to get out and explore a little more efficiently without the educational and financial (to some degree) barrier to entry. 

People just like being snarky, you can have a really great time on snowshoes.  Skis are great, but like you said there is a lot more to it.

I think you might get some better advice if you have a more specific request.  You asked if there was somewhere to use your snowshoes in the entire state of OR and southern WA; there are probably at least 1,000 different places to go with snowshoes in that area, maybe 10,000.  Can you be more specific about what you're looking for?  Where are you located?  Are you looking for snowy mountain climbing or just trails in the woods?  How far do you want to go?

In lieu of that, I recommend figuring out where your nearest snow parks are, and just go walk around in the woods in the snow.  Be avalanche aware, please!

PRRosewrote:

And, snowshoes are cheaper and have no learning curve (which is why I've never understood why there are snowshoe classes).

What's the 10 Step Plan to learning to snowshoe? 

Take 10 steps. Congrats, you now know how to snowshoe!

Snowshoes are like hiking. Skis are like a mountain bike, way more efficient and fun in many situations.

Skis/bikes:

• have more learning curve
• aren't as good for a steep approach to an ice/rock climb
• are far more efficient and fun for flat trails
• when you go up a hill you get to have fun riding down

Some serious hate on snow shoes here. Anybody care to substantiate their claims? This is a chance to educate someone new to all of this. 

No need. You'll see. If you need to get somewhere in the snow, the snow shoes might be perfect for your needs and skillsets. If you are snow shoeing for the sake of snow shoeing then you will have to do your own substantiation. 

Skis were considered, but we both know so little about them. The choices/types, all of the components involved, etc. Snowshoes seemed like an easy way to get out and explore a little more efficiently without the educational and financial (to some degree) barrier to entry.

Sounds like you don't ski, so snow shoes are probably a good initial choice for you. Skiing takes skill, fitness and practice. Its not much fun at first, unless your type 2 funner. But pretty quickly, the utility and fun of skiing can take hold of your heart and then those snow shoes just might collect dust. Time will tell you, for sure.

I appreciate the continued conversation here. I'm glad to see the whole spectrum of responses. As mentioned, I was looking for recommendations to fun destinations, walk up summits, and beta on snow shoe approaches to rock climbs. I know how to find snow otherwise. 

This venture was largely initiated by my partner, who's not necessarily a climber, but we're both plenty fit and stoked on mountains. 

You're not going to find a lot of snowshoe approaches to (dry) rock climbs in Oregon in the winter.  Most places that would require snowshoes to access will have turned into an alpine/mixed crag this time of year; that can actually be really awesome, but don't expect to snowshoe somewhere and climb in a t-shirt with bare hands.  If you're into scratching around on snow covered rock, there are lots of opportunities for this at many of the passes (Santiam, Hood, Snoqualmie, etc.)

For general fun destinations, there are lifetimes of forests and meadows to explore in the winter.  Just drive to any sno-park with good coverage and start walking.  Trails are meaningless in the winter, so you can meander wherever you want, and all kinds of random meadows and creeks and such that you'd never see in summer can be your own private little wonderland.  I have found a ton of magical little spots at Hood, but looking around for them is half of the fun so I won't ruin that for you. ;)  But, minor tip, Santiam Pass is great when it's not blowing, Hood has TONS of sno-parks that aren't mobbed by skiers, and there are some really nice spots in SW Washington (Helens, Adams, Lewis River, etc).

I spent a season on snowshoes before learning to xc ski. After that, snowshoeing was honestly pretty boring.

If you're unsure of where to start, the Mazamas offers a nordic skiing class which I found helpful. Also, you can rent gear from a variety of places that will be fine for 90% of what you'll be skiing. Give it a try!

P Cwrote:

As the title suggests, I've just impulsively (fear-based) bought a pair of snow shoes. I've not done any snow shoeing in the past. Where are some must-see places I can access with these bad boys? Would like to stay in the state of OR, or Southern WA. 

Bonus points for mountains, approaches to rock climbing, or other natural wonders (crater lake, etc.).

dear OP

please give us an update 

Could have used them to get out to his car last week!

I got my snowshoes about 20 years ago. Until I learned to ski, they saw a lot of use. Since then, they get used only if the people I'm traveling with don't have skis.

To whit, I never wore my snowshoes from the gold lake snopark above Eugene, nor the Ikenik snopark above Salem. I wore my snowshoes once from the Salt Creek Falls snopark, as we were approaching an ice climb that had formed up (winter of 2013, it was LEGENDARY), and I didn't have mountaineering-boot friendly bindings on any of my skis at that time.

Granite Grantwrote:

dear OP

please give us an update 

Here's the update: 

We returned the snowshoes after a single use. They didn't seem necessary on packed snow or groomed trails, and didn't provide the expected flotation on fresh snow despite being within the (upper end of the) suggested weight range. After watching skiers cruise up the hills and glide right back down them, it was apparent the trolls of MP were right. We needed skis. 

She'd been on skis before, but it was my first time. We headed up to Crater Lake in some fun weather (several inches of snow and gusts of 45+ mph), set up camp, and woke up to clear skies as we headed toward the crater rim. Our rented metal-edged XC skis did the job, though I'd learned many things. I believe there's a place for 'shoes, but skis seem to trump them most of the time. And lastly, AT skis seem to be the way to go (but with them understandably comes another learning curve).

Check out my business next winter, I rent Alpine Touring skis for the entire season for $450 (they're all rented out now). Your business helps me never work a 9-5 again. I also donate 3 seasonal rental packages to youth in need for every 100 pairs rented out.

www.portlandskirentals.com

We returned the snowshoes after a single use.

Reason triumphs! Drinks all around!!

I enjoyed snowshoeing up the Steens of Oregon.

In from west, pack for several days.

Wild horses, isolation, sage and pine, 

Also would be good on touring skis with skins.

Pretty easy to pick your route and avoid avalanche terrain