It's summertime! For many of us, summer is the perfect time of year. It's a time to hang out with friends, go to the beach, sleep in, go hiking or shopping... The list goes on. With summer in full swing, many Oregonians (and visitors to Oregon) take the opportunity to go hiking. Since Oregon summers do not get too ridiculously hot, it is the perfect location to get out and connected with nature. Here are five reasons why you should take advantage of Oregon, and it's natural wonders.

1. Hiking is affordable.

Compared to many other summer activities, such as going to a public pool, or going to a movie, hiking is extremely affordable. For beginners looking to take a first hike, or a more experienced hiker looking to take a short hike, a good pair of trail shoes or hiking boots, a small backpack, and a water bottle is all you need to get started. I have been lucky and have usually been able to find a good pair of hiking boots for less than $10 at thrift stores. A small backpack from Walmart can usually be purchased for $7.59 to $24.83, and is great to carrying your water bottle, snacks, and a light jacket in. A reusable water bottle can usually be purchased for about $5 to $10. Okay, so initially you are spending more than you would on a movie ticket, but here's the best part: all of the things you buy for your hiking trip are reusable, and movie tickets are about $12 a piece.

Pictured above: Wahkeena Falls

2. Hiking can help ward off depression.

A study, published by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, states that "A 90 minute stroll in a natural environment can lead to measurable benefits for the brain, and may help combat depression." The study also found that hikers immersed in nature experienced more benefits than those who took a walk near a busy road with lots of traffic.

Pictured above: the view at around 1400 feet.

3. Hiking can help you get fit - without going to the gym.

If you're like me, you hate going to the gym, and when you go to the gym, you work out the same muscles in the exact same way, every time. Compared to an hour's walk on a treadmill, hiking is much better for you. Walking on a treadmill keeps you on the same plane, and it's pretty easy to just keep walking. Hiking requires you to push yourself a little harder and engages different muscles as you change terrains. Going hiking allows you to get a breath of fresh air, and take in your surroundings, instead of staring at a white wall in a gym that smells of musk and sweat.

Pictured above: a fallen tree about halfway between Wahkeena and Fairy Falls.

4. Hiking can strengthen friendships.

Even if you are going on a short, easy hike, it really is not safe to go on a hike alone. If something were to happen to you, and you did not have any phone service, how would you get help? That is one of the many reasons why you should always take a friend (or two) with you on your hike. It allows you to spend quality time with your friends without being on your phone and enjoy some meaningful conversation. Hiking with friends is an experience that is unforgettable, and the bonds that are created are virtually unbreakable.

Pictured above: the first drop of Multnomah Falls.

5. A first hike can be the start to a new hobby.

If you have never been on a hike before, it is never too late to start. Hiking is free, fun, and good for your health. Taking up a new hobby, such as hiking, can be the start of many new outdoor-based activities for you. Trail hiking can lead to riding ATVs, river hiking, backpacking, and more. Many people who hike may have been introduced to it as a child, but that does not mean that you have to have started hiking as a child to enjoy it. It does not matter if you are twenty, forty, or sixty years old, hiking trails vary in difficulty and length, and it is something that you can always enjoy.

Pictured above: Fairy Falls.

A couple of weeks ago, a couple of my friends and I decided to go hiking in Multnomah Falls. We took Wahkeena Trail #422 from Multnomah Falls, and then Wahkeena Trail #420 from Wahkeena Falls to Multnomah Falls. Along the way, we saw Lemmon's Viewpoint, Fairy Falls, Ecola Falls, Weisendanger Falls, and finally, Multnomah Falls. We reached an elevation of 1600 feet (about 488 meters). There were times where we wanted to turn around, because it became difficult to breathe, and our legs began to want to give out on us, but we made it. The trail was about 6 miles long (about 10 kilometers), and it is definitely one that we will be doing again. The photos in this article are ones I took on our hike. Hope you enjoyed them, and hope you enjoy your hike!