Hidden just below Mt. Hood and less than an hour from Portland, this 44,560-acre wilderness is relatively unknown and lightly used. As its name implies, the main draw here is the Salmon River and the mountains it winds through. Hiking trails below 2,000 feet are usually snow-free all winter while those higher are often closed November-May. Easy day hikes filled with good views of Mt. Hood can be had along the Mirror Lake and Veda Lake Trails, both two and a half miles round-trip in length. There are no fees to use the area.