Gabtheforestelf

Gabtheforestelf Herbalist🌀Forest Nymph

08/13/2026

Spirit Falls is definitely high on my list of my favorite waterfalls in Washington. The water color is insanely turquoise blue, and the trail is covered in moss, mushrooms, and wildflowers.
I would definitely recommend using the directions on All trails instead of maps. Maps kept leading me to private property.

This is a short trail, but it is straight downhill. I definitely would not hike this during the rain or after it’s rainy/muddy because it is so uneven. I just used a big stick for balance, but if you have trekking poles, I would bring them. My friend and I just stopped and stared at the waterfalls for hours. 10 out of 10 would recommend.

08/09/2026

I went camping in Southern Oregon last weekend and got a perfect spot right next to a river. I love how much more intensely I can feel sensations when I’m in the forest. All five senses are enhanced. Without all of the noise and over stimulation that I have in my day-to-day life. I can notice subtle changes very clearly. The smell of pines, the sound of the river, the feel of the cold air, the taste of earth in my forged tea. I feel at home 🦋

08/08/2026

I am not an expert Bushcrafter, not even close. So definitely consult with one if that’s what you’re looking for! I’m just excited to share what I’ve learned and continue down this path. I didn’t grew up in the outdoors. I went on one camping trip as a child when I was a Girl Scout for a couple months. This reciprocity that I have with the land didn’t start till about five years ago when I was attempting to heal a chronic skin condition. I was on harsh steroids that eventually stopped working, I turned to herbal medicine and my entire world changed. I created a deep bond with plants that this sparked the path that I’m on now. I spend pretty much all my free time outside but it wasn’t that long ago that my weekends looked completely different. I am so fascinated with all things Bushcraft. I probably will try to attend an intensive program next year :)

08/07/2026

I solo camp because I truly enjoy it! I absolutely adore connecting with people but I equally love solitude. I’ve been that way since I was a child. It can be difficult to explain that to someone in a partnership. I feel like we have been conditioned to believe that if you’re in a relationship, you have to do everything together. My solo journeys have been such a transformative experience for me and I will continue doing them for the rest of my life. However, I am grateful that I found someone that loves the outdoors just as much as I do!

08/06/2026

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) is a member of the rose family. They’re super similar to raspberries. The berries have a distinctive orange hue that can range from yellow to red. Salmonberries can be found all across the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Canada. They are loved by people and tons of animals, especially bears! They like moist environments and can be frequently found in coastal forests. They have a tart and sweet flavor. When ripe, they should easily fall off of the shrub. That’s one of my favorite summer berries!

08/05/2026

Cleavers are my favorite springtime medicine. They pop up pretty early. Some people write them off as a common w**d but these little w**ds have medicine! Cleavers are powerhouses at moving stagnant fluid through the lymph. Herbalist love their detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also a plant that’s really great for skin health. This plant is pretty easy to identify with its bicycle spoke leaves that are super sticky. It will cling to all of your clothing! You can even wrap them in a big ball. This plant is best used when it’s fresh! It’s very delicate and it doesn’t preserve a lot of the medicine when dried. The easiest way to break down the cell wall is to blend it. You can drink the juice immediately or pour it into an ice cube tray to preserve it. That way it’s ready when you’re feeling sick! I also made a huge batch of tinctures to last me throughout the year. Happy foraging!

08/04/2026

Horsetail is ancient! Its origin is about 350 million years ago, it’s essentially a living fossil. This potent plant is high in antioxidants and silica, making it a perfect skin healing remedy. People also use it as a diuretic to help flush out excessive fluid from the body. It grows all around wet areas and alongside streams. Like the name suggest it looks like a fluffy horse tail.

Salves are really easy to make and can be infused with just about any herb.
You first want to dry the plant. Water could potentially make the oil spoil. I usually prefer to infuse oil with a cold infusion, where you let the oil sit in a jar with the plants over a couple of weeks, but this time I decided to do a heated infusion. Gently double boil the oil. One part plant to two parts of oil for up to 2-3 hours. Then you’ll combined the oil with melted beeswax. I usually prefer breaking up a hard block of beeswax but this is all I had. You can use one part beeswax to four parts and infused oil. And that’s it 😊 A perfect skin healing salve!

08/03/2026

Another beautiful weekend spent in the forest alone. Solo camping has been an anchor in my life, it doesn’t really matter what else is going on, when I’m alone in the forest, I can easily drop in to the present moment. Even if I’m only there for one night, I start to feel like a part of the ecosystem. Camping near a river is my favorite. I sat at this river for hours swimming and laying on the hot rocks like a lizard basking the sun. I always feel care free during the day when I’m solo hiking or camping, it’s not till night that I feel anxious, simply because I can’t see what’s going on around me. The sound of a tree branch snapping can make my heart stop. I’m still working through that but each time gets (slightly) easier. I’ve started to build a lot of trust with myself and my abilities. I feel so grateful that I get to witness all that I have in the forest!

08/02/2026

Another rainy weekend spent outside. It rains about 165 days out of the year, in the area that I live in but that doesn’t stop me from going outside. You just need a good rain jacket. Without the rain we wouldn’t have hundreds of giant waterfalls, towering trees, moss, and mushrooms. I become fond of the rain. I have done this trail a dozen times and I never get bored of it. I always see something new.

Also please take extra care when you are doing river crossings always unhook your backpack, just in case you fall!

08/01/2026

Another day spent solo in the forest! I’m decked out head to toe in Halfdays! I love clothing that is both functional and cute.

People often ask me if ever get bored on my solo camping trips but I never do. I love the solitude. My camp set up starts to feel like a ritual.

Address

Portland, OR

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gabtheforestelf posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category