Matt Reeder faced a dilemma when writing his book, “101 Hikes in the Majestic Mount Jefferson Region.” He debated whether to include many of the little-known trails he loved and risk having them become more crowded.

Reeder decided he would include these hikes, especially those on trails falling into disrepair and on the verge of becoming unusable due to lack of use and maintenance.

“The population of people on the trails has exploded in the past 10 years, especially in the (Columbia) Gorge,” Reeder said. “I want to help spread usage across more trails to ease density in the most congested areas and hopefully help improve funding and maintenance for endangered trails.”

“101 Hikes” provides detailed directions, pictures, topographic maps and GPS tracks for both well-known and more obscure day hikes and backpacking loops in the Mount Jefferson and bordering Opal Creek areas. His website — offthebeatentrailpdx.com — also provides links to larger maps that can be downloaded.

Reeder’s three-year quest (he calls it an obsession) to explore every trail in the Mount Jefferson and Opal Creek regions wore out four pairs of boots as he hiked 1,200 miles and drove 15,000 more.

“There were only three or four trails I couldn’t get to due to persistently bad weather or time constraints,” Reeder said. He feels this makes “101 Hikes” the definitive hiking guide for the Mount Jefferson region.

Reeder estimates 40 of the hikes in his book are not included in any other currently available guide book. As far as his research could determine, around 20 of those trails have never been detailed in any guide book.

The author’s love for the Mount Jefferson region stems from his childhood. While growing up in Salem, Reeder’s father would often take him hiking in that area. When Reeder moved back to Portland for graduate school in 2005, he rediscovered his passion for the trails of his youth.

In addition to trail guides, “101 Hikes” includes best-of lists with recommendations for different categories of hikes including easy, waterfall, fall color hikes and more. Reeder also includes an appendix of scenic lookouts and viewpoints that can be reached by car or only require about 100 yards of walking. He also lists cabins and resorts, lookout towers and a guide to campgrounds in the region.

Reeder was reluctant to reveal his personal favorite trail but says if he had to suggest just one day hike near Mount Jefferson during the summer, it would be to Jefferson Park, which can be reached via four different trails. “I know it’s probably the most popular spot in the region,” Reeder said, “But people love it for a reason — it’s really gorgeous with lakes and meadows filled with wildflowers.”

To get further off the beaten track, try the Heart of the Jeff Loop that Reeder named himself. It’s a 34-mile backpacking loop that doesn’t have an official name, and typically takes around four days to hike. It passes through all the terrain the area has to offer: rain forest, waterfalls, lava flows and more.

Reeder thinks the most difficult day hike in the book is the trail to Scar Mountain. Built along a ridge line of the Old Cascades Crest, he says it has seemingly endless ups and downs that should challenge even the fittest outdoor enthusiast, with 4,100 feet of elevation gain. The reward is the fantastic views throughout the hike. Backpackers up for a challenge can take on the Grand Mount Jefferson Loop. Reeder created the route that follows several different trails to form a 68-mile circuit. Its sheer length makes it formidable, along with the many changes of elevation and descents to lakes.

At local appearances Friday and Saturday, Reeder will discuss writing “101 Hikes” and several of the trails he recommends, including some on the southern and eastern side of Mount Jefferson that are easier to reach from Central Oregon.