Hike The Columbia Gorge Waterfall Loop

This easy loop is perfect for a hot, lazy summer afternoon. And though that means hordes of weekend hikers, the chance to visit four beautiful waterfalls and explore a unique Read more

Southern Goodness at Screen Door

Now that Southern food has become a fully-certified hot trend in the Portland restaurant scene, I thought it was worth taking a look at one of the most skillful practitioners Read more

Take a Hike, Eagle Creek - Oregon

Eagle Creek is a wonderland of waterfalls, geologic marvels, natural beauty, impressive trail engineering, and vertigo-inducing views. And that’s just in the first half of the hike! The sound of water – sometimes a trickle, sometimes a roar, sometimes a symphony of creek and falls – is ever-present. Steep hills and deep canyons merge into a rugged and beautiful terrain of forests, meadows, cliffs, and streams, and many of the waterfalls along the trail would ordinarily be destinations in their own right. Read more

Winetasting in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

Last weekend a friend and I decided to use the good weather as an excuse to get out of the city and taste some Willamette Valley wines (not that we really needed an excuse).The following is brief a travelogue of our experience, red teeth and all. Read more

Filmed by Bike, Portland

Portland is the bike capital of the America! We know that. But just to be sure (and so that everyone else knows it too) we set aside an entire weekend each year to honor and celebrate our favorite emission-free form of transportation through film. Since 2003, Filmed by Bike has been the premier bike-themed film festival offered on the West Coast. The festival features international and local films shorts and, with titles like “Unicycle Bastards Kick Zombie Ass” or “The Traffic Calming Sasquatch,” promises to be provocative and unconventional. Read more

Hike Dog Mountain, Washington

When you want a solid workout with a huge pay-off at the end, hike Dog Mountain. This strenuous hike is a popular destination for obvious reasons: 2,800 feet of elevation gain in about three miles, superior views of the Columbia River Gorge, and acres of wildflower meadows at the top. Throw in a little history, a little risk, and a little bit of lactic acid, and you’ve got yourself a good time and a classic hike. Read more

Hike Mirror Lake, Oregon

Mirror Lake… a rhododendron-lined old-growth hike to a small sub-alpine lake reflecting the snow-clad peak of Mt. Hood, followed by a climb to a craggy ridge with spectacular, unobstructed views of Hood and other cascade peaks - and so easy kids can hike it.

This splendid combination of trails offers the best that Oregon hiking has to offer. The one-two punch of Mirror Lake and Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain is a favorite for first-time back-packers, day-hikers, anglers, snow-shoers, and photographers. Expect company even in the rainy season – but don’t let the crowds deter you.

The well-maintained trail climbs 800 feet 1.4 miles through a beautiful old-growth forest. After crossing a small talus slope with hints of views to come, ascend to the lake after passing through a recovered logging area; look for notches in the cedar stumps where loggers inserted their springboards before sawing away. Read more