Portland Over Memorial Day Weekend...

[Scott Rosenberg]

i'll be in portland, oregon over memorial day weekend and will have time for one full day of hiking and shooting... any suggestions? i'm trying to sell my wife on the idea of moving out there, so a knock-your-socks-off hike/shoot would help my case a lot! columbia river gorge? proxy falls? ramona falls?

thanks,
scott

[Christopher Perez]

The easiest might be the Columbia Gorge area. Many waterfalls, nice hiking trails, loads of beautiful things to view. It'll take a normal person's breath away.

Cannon Beach/Haystack Rock are also interesting and sometimes fun places to visit on the coast. If you like the beach, this is nicer than Seaside, which lay just to the north. Just head down hwy26.

Mt. St. Helens is a full day's haul to drive around. But the scenery is very spectacular as long as the cloud cover is up above the top of the mountain.

If you like waterfalls and have already been up the Gorge, try Silver Falls State Park. It's about an hour and a half south of Portland outside of the Salem area.

If you like city scapes, there are miles of nice walking/biking trails all around the city and along the water front. For in-town walking, try picking up a Powells Books walking map. Look for the Chinese Gardens, as they are quite good. The city is clean and accessible. One of the things that makes Portland so much like a nice European city is that the "rich folk" live in town. This is reversed from many US cities.

While you're in town, take a day and head up to Washingon Park. The Rose Garden is the finest I've ever seen and comes with a beautiful view of Mt. Hood. The Japanese Garden is reputedly one of the finest outside of Japan. And there are miles of hiking trails that lead from here up through the park that runs nearly to St. Helens out hwy30.

I hope this helps. :)

[Brian Ellis]

Proxy Falls is in central Oregon, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Portland so you'd be spending about five hours of your one day just driving (plus if your wife ever sees central Oregon you'll never get her to Portland) : - ) I'm also not sure the road to Proxy Falls is open yet though I've been told it is (coincidentally, I'm driving out there this afternoon to check). Ramona Falls is much closer to Portland, it's in Zig Zag which is just outside of Sandy, which is just outside of Portland. It's about a 7 mile round trip hike but I'm told it's easy with some interesting things along the way. When I was in the area a couple weeks ago it too was inaccessible because a bridge to it was flooded but that may have changed by now, you could call a ranger station to find out. If you Google on Ramona Falls you'll see some sites that have photographs of it and some of the things along the way. Other than that I guess the Columbia River gorge is the obvious choice for something near Portland. I'm in the central part of Oregon and only recently moved here so I'm not yet very familiar with the Portland area. Kirk Keyes who participates here occasionally lives in Portland and if he's in the data base you might send him an email and ask.

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

i'll be in portland, oregon over memorial day weekend and will have time for one full day of hiking and shooting... any suggestions? i'm trying to sell my wife on the idea of moving out there, so a knock-your-socks-off hike/shoot would help my case a lot! columbia river gorge? proxy falls?

Scott,

Lots of great possibilites this time of year. If it's overcast or lightly raining, I'd recommend the Gorge. Eagle Creek is a classic. It will be crowded that weekend, especially if the weather is nice. Get an early start if you plan to do this one. That will also leave you time to do one or two more short hikes in the Gorge the same day. Another favorite of mine is to start at the Horsetail Falls trailhead hike up and behind Ponytail Falls (rates high on the coolness factor) cross the foorbridge over Oneonta Creek and then take a left for a short side trip to Triple Falls. For a short, easy hike, try the hike to Elowah Falls and Upper McCord Creek Falls. There are a lot more, such as the Multnomah/Wahkeena loop, but it will be very crowded, at least as far as the top of Multnomah Falls, and while it's an impressive hike, the photographic potential is higher on the other ones I mentioned. Forget Proxy Falls on this trip. It's a very long drive from Portland and a short boring trail (other than the falls). The Gorge or Silver Falls will give you a lot more waterfall bang for your hiking/driving buck.

If it's sunny, I'd recommend either Mt. Hood or the Northern Oregon Coast - both less than a two hour drive from Portland. I haven't been up to Hood lately, so you'll want to check the snow levels with the Forest Service before planning a hike. Last year on Father's Day, the whole family did the short hike up the Top Spur Trail and then made a short loop around Bald Mountain on the PCT and Timberline Trails. If this trail is snow free, it gives you a great view of Mt. Hood from the shoulder of Bald Mountain (I can email you a jpeg from last year's hike if you like). Time and trail conditions permitting, you can also follow the Timberline Trail as far as Cairn Basin for some more nice views of Mt. Hood. Again, check with the Forest Service for up-to-date trail conditions and snow levels. It varies considerably from year-to-year. Another option that should be snow free is Lost Lake. The hike around the lake is very easy and practically level. The best views are from the north end of the lake looking south to Mt. Hood. It will likely be crowded and lots of boaters out on the lake on Memorial Day weekend. There is a popular Forest Service campground on the east shore of the lake that will likely be packed over the holiday weekend.

For the North Coast, the area around Cannon Beach is hard to beat, but again expect crowds on Memorial Day weekend. There is a trail down to Crescent Beach in Ecola State Park that is nice and the trail is hard enough to find and long enough (but not too long) to thin the crowds quite a bit. The Three Capes Scenic Loop south of Tillamook is also a nice drive with many scenic spots for photography. It leaves the main highway (101). So, will be less crowded than places like Cannon Beach.

Hope that helps. We moved here over 17 years ago and have no plans to leave.

Kerry

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

Proxy Falls is in central Oregon, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Portland so you'd be spending about five hours of your one day just driving.

Actually, Proxy Falls is closer to a 3 1/2 hour drive from Portland. There are some other nice falls (Sahalie, Koosah, etc.) along Hwy. 126 on the way, but unless you want to spend most of the day driving there and back, I wouldn't recommend it as a day trip from Portland. By comparison, Multnomah Falls is only 1/2 hour drive from Portland and you can be at the Eagle Creek trailhead in less than 45 minutes.

Central Oregon is great. We usually spend two or three long weekends there every summer. The outdoor recreation opportunities are second to none, and the scenery is spectacular. I prefer the mountains and my wife loves the high desert. With Central Oregon, we get both.

But, for a first time visitor, there's plenty to see, do and photograph closer to Portland. We really are spolied out here in Oregon. Shhhh! Don't tell anyone. They'll ALL want to move here (many of them already have).

Kerry

[Scott Rosenberg]

thanks for all the suggestions, fellas. we'll be out there for five days - two of which i'll be interviewing on, one will be spent in the wine country for the memorial day festivities, one checking out the city, and one hiking. you guys have given me a lot of research to do!

many thanks,
scott

[Kirk Keyes]

Scott - Definitely do the Gorge. Head east on 84 from Portland, take the exit to Corbett. At the top on the hill, turn left and that puts you on the Old Columbia Gorge Hwy. Stop at Sheppards Dell Bridge and then at every waterfall turnout you see. There's several before you hit I-84 again. Elowah Falls is cool - climb up on the rock slope on the west side of the canyon just before the bridge at the falls.

I'd suggest after you've had enough falls to continue on to Hood River and then take the highway south that goes up and around Mt Hood. Stop at Timberline for dinner.

Kirk

[Scott Rosenberg]

it just occurred to me that it's going to be my anniversary while the wife and i are out in portland... any suggestion for place we can have a nice dinner? someplace with a great view... maybe on the coast. help me out here fellas!!

[Capocheny]

Scott,

You should just continue driving up to our neck of the woods... Vancouver, British Columbia in Canuckland! :)

I could direct you to some GREAT restaurants here! :)

Congrats on the anniversary!

Cheers

[Scott Rosenberg]

hey henry! great suggestion, but i don't think we're going to have time to get all the way up to your part of the world - on this trip at least. so, i was hoping one of the locals could give me an inside tip on a nice place with a great view of either some green stuff or a rocky coastline.

[Capocheny]

Hi Scott,

:) Next time then! The "Group of VI" will show you a fun time here. :)

Hope you enjoy this part of the world!

Cheers

[Scott Rosenberg]

i'll certianly take you up on your offer! i love the pnw... it's the better half i'm going to have to sell.

[Matthew Runkel]

I don't think of Portland as being about view dining--too many nice views everywhere else. For a great meal in town built around local seasonal foods, I highly recommend Higgins. ARTICLE (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_21_39/ai_n13785693?pi=cal).

For something in the country, consider the Joel Palmer House in Dayton, about an hour southwest of town in the wine country. It's housed in a lovely old 1850s mansion. The chef is a national expert on wild mushrooms, forages for them himself and constructs his menus around them. REVIEW (http://www.domaineserene.com/Kens_JPH.htm).

Another coastal hike with stunning views PHOTO (http://www.oregonhiking.com/photos/123.htm) is Cascade Head, a Nature Conservancy property a bit south of the other coastal areas mentioned. HIKE DETAILS (http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/menasha/60hikes_portland_3.htm). In a single full day you could do a counterclockwise loop, driving to Cannon Beach, south on the coast highway to Cascade Head, then back inland toward Portland, stopping for dinner at the Joel Palmer House.

If after the visit your wife is still on the fence, let her know that she will never see a cockroach, flying cockroach, cicada, cicada killer or fire ant in Portland ;)

Have a great trip!

[jdavis]

Scott,

I just made the exact same move - Dallas to Portland - about three months ago. Abosultely no regrets....A couple of tips for convincing the wife:

1) Avoid downtown for the most part, with the exception of Powell's books and the "Pearl District" Downtown is a bit of a freakshow with homeless people and, for lack of a better term, slackers. If your wife is like mine, the downtown scene would be a turnoff. It's still a much more vibrant downtown than Dallas, but it takes time get used to.

2) All of the above posts are correct - Cannon Beach is great, try the trail to Indian Beach in Ecola State Park for a good primer.

3) Second to Eagle Creek in the gorge - wonderfull hike, but not for those afraid of heights. That's a trail for mountain goats.

4) Two days ago I hiked up to the top of Saddle Mountain - highest peak in the Northern Coast range. Amazing views of the Pacifc, as well as the cascades and valley. It's a cardio-workout, especially to one used to the flatlands of Dallas.

5) Again, also second spending time in Washington Park and the Zoo. The Zoo is not quite as big or nice as the Fort Worth Zoo, but comes close.

6) If your wife likes touring old mansions - here is a great way to spend the day. Go to the Audubon Society Sanctuary on Cornell Road. Nice short trails in the middle of town. Then ask the staff how to catch the Wildwood Trail to the Pittcock Mansion. About a mile or two (uphill) through Forest Park to an 1800's mansion with one of the best views of Portland. (You can drive to the mansion - but why?) You can tour the mansion, or just walk to the backyard and admire the view.

7) Don't know if you're going to be eyeballing real estate - but it's expensive compared to Dallas. I can give you our experiences House Hunting if it comes to that.

8) Portland is not a restaurant scene compared to Dallas. It's like pulling teeth here to find a simple burger and fries combo that is not McDonald's. In Dallas, eating out is part of the social scene - in Portland it seems that everyone would rather go hiking or biking. I can't really argue with that logic...

Let me know if you have other specific questions.

- Jack

[Kirk Keyes]

8) Portland is not a restaurant scene compared to Dallas. It's like pulling teeth here to find a simple burger and fries combo that is not McDonald's. In Dallas, eating out is part of the social scene - in Portland it seems that everyone would rather go hiking or biking. I can't really argue with that logic...
- Jack

What's wrong with Burgerville then?

I think it is really that many people here would rather have something a bit more exotic than a simple burger and fries - like Thai or Indian or even Italian food.

But if you do want a good burger in town - try the Skyline Restaurant, 1313 NW Skyline 292-6727 It's in the general region of the Pittock Mansion mentioned by Jack.

Scott, if you do the Gorge - Mt. Hood loop, there's a place called Calamity Jane's just before you get to the town of Sandy. Look for the 20 foot high cowgirl on the side of the road - it's got an old western schtick that I find amusing and the burgers are good! I always stop there after a day out skiing. And they have a wide range of excellent burgers, and even some that you will probably not find anywhere else - like the George Washington Burger with pie cherries or the Jimmy Carter burger with peanut butter.

If I was going to Dallas - I would get a steak. (Actually, I tried that the one time I was in Dallas and the in-laws decided that we had to go to PLanet Holywood!!! WTF!!!)

Anyway - in Portland, you should try some seafood/fish. If you are going to be in town, get a reservation at the Chart House. Overlooks the river and has good food. (I know, it's a national chain.) For something downtown and local, try McCormick & Schmick's, 235 SW lst Ave. 503-224-7522. They've been around for over 100 years. It's fairly formal and will need a reservation. Or their spin-off, Jake's Famous Crawfish, 401 SW 12th Ave., 503-226-1419. Less formal, but also an old-time Portland establishment.

If you want the beach, go to Cannon Beach for the day/evening, go to Ecola State Park on the north side of town, then from Cannon Beach, walk down the beach past Haystack Rock, and then dinner at the Wayfarer Inn or the Driftwood Inn for formal, or Mo's (in Tolovana, just south of Cannon Beach) for informal (very informal).

Kirk

[Mike Lopez]

Actually, Proxy Falls is closer to a 3 1/2 hour drive from Portland. There are some other nice falls (Sahalie, Koosah, etc.) along Hwy. 126 on the way, but unless you want to spend most of the day driving there and back, I wouldn't recommend it as a day trip from Portland. By comparison, Multnomah Falls is only 1/2 hour drive from Portland and you can be at the Eagle Creek trailhead in less than 45 minutes.

Central Oregon is great. We usually spend two or three long weekends there every summer. The outdoor recreation opportunities are second to none, and the scenery is spectacular. I prefer the mountains and my wife loves the high desert. With Central Oregon, we get both.

But, for a first time visitor, there's plenty to see, do and photograph closer to Portland. We really are spolied out here in Oregon. Shhhh! Don't tell anyone. They'll ALL want to move here (many of them already have).

Kerry

Heh....I remember when U.S. 26 was solely for "going to the coast," Bill Walton was the centerpiece of the Blazers, and Trojan was running around the clock.

It has gotten crowded, for sure.

[Mike Lopez]

What's wrong with Burgerville then?

I think it is really that many people here would rather have something a bit more exotic than a simple burger and fries - like Thai or Indian or even Italian food.

But if you do want a good burger in town - try the Skyline Restaurant, 1313 NW Skyline 292-6727 It's in the general region of the Pittock Mansion mentioned by Jack.

Scott, if you do the Gorge - Mt. Hood loop, there's a place called Calamity Jane's just before you get to the town of Sandy. Look for the 20 foot high cowgirl on the side of the road - it's got an old western schtick that I find amusing and the burgers are good! I always stop there after a day out skiing. And they have a wide range of excellent burgers, and even some that you will probably not find anywhere else - like the George Washington Burger with pie cherries or the Jimmy Carter burger with peanut butter.

If I was going to Dallas - I would get a steak. (Actually, I tried that the one time I was in Dallas and the in-laws decided that we had to go to PLanet Holywood!!! WTF!!!)

Anyway - in Portland, you should try some seafood/fish. If you are going to be in town, get a reservation at the Chart House. Overlooks the river and has good food. (I know, it's a national chain.) For something downtown and local, try McCormick & Schmick's, 235 SW lst Ave. 503-224-7522. They've been around for over 100 years. It's fairly formal and will need a reservation. Or their spin-off, Jake's Famous Crawfish, 401 SW 12th Ave., 503-226-1419. Less formal, but also an old-time Portland establishment.

If you want the beach, go to Cannon Beach for the day/evening, go to Ecola State Park on the north side of town, then from Cannon Beach, walk down the beach past Haystack Rock, and then dinner at the Wayfarer Inn or the Driftwood Inn for formal, or Mo's (in Tolovana, just south of Cannon Beach) for informal (very informal).

Kirk


Some good suggestions here. If you are still trying to sell your wife, you might consider the Portland City Grill on the 30th floor of the US Bank Tower (111 S.W. 5th) for dinner, or for an after-dinner drink. Kirk mentioned McCormick and Schmick's on 1st, but there's also the Harborside one down on the water. (South end of Waterfront Park).

[Scott Rosenberg]

hey fellas, a quick 'thanks' for all the suggestions. even though it rained EVERY day we were there, the wife and i had a GREAT time in portland, and hit many of the hotspots suggested here... lunch at mccormick & schmidt, dinner at the joel palmer house, dinner at timberline, a hike in the eagle creek area, a drive through the gorge, not to mention an entire day spent in the wine country for the holiday weekend open tastings. suffice to say, it was a fantastic trip made in no small way possible by your suggestions - THANKS!

scott

[Jan Pedersen]

Would like to second the City Grille, i just recently had one of my best dinners ever there.

Also a little about caution. On Memorial day (Yesterday) My Hasselblad gear was stolen from my car when i was out taking pictures in the Multnomah Falls area.
Please don't leave valuables in the car if away from the beaten path. According to local Law enforcement it is a high risk area.

jan

[Christopher Perez]

The burning question is this: Are you going to sell your wife as part of the move? Or is she coming with you? :D


hey fellas, a quick 'thanks' for all the suggestions. even though it rained EVERY day we were there, the wife and i had a GREAT time in portland, and hit many of the hotspots suggested here... lunch at mccormick & schmidt, dinner at the joel palmer house, dinner at timberline, a hike in the eagle creek area, a drive through the gorge, not to mention an entire day spent in the wine country for the holiday weekend open tastings. suffice to say, it was a fantastic trip made in no small way possible by your suggestions - THANKS!

scott

[Capocheny]

The burning question is this: Are you going to sell your wife as part of the move? Or is she coming with you? :D

Christopher,

Too funny! :)

But, enquiring minds want to know!

Are you headed west, young man? :)

Cheers

[Scott Rosenberg]

chris, while i'm selling a lot of gear ahead of this move, the wife is definately a keeper! ;)

no decisions have been made yet. presently, we're trying to decide between portland and salt lake city. we've visited both in the last three weeks, and certainly there's a lot to love about each city. just for fun, i drew a circle with a 300 mile radius around each city and was absolutely amazed at the diversity of places one can get to within that distance. certainly we will not be wanting for things to do in either location! coming from texas, where you can drive 1,000 miles and still be in, er, texas, having that many choices for a weekend getaway is really exciting.

scott

[Christopher Perez]

Definitely go with Salt Lake City.

Portland only allows squeeky clean shallow minded cell phone jabbering H2 driving blond headed Californians to move in from out of state. It's so we can convert them into unclean cob structure building bicycle riding veg-only eating fully enlightened hippies.

Sorry. No Texans allowed. :eek:

(LOL! I couldn't resist)


... presently, we're trying to decide between portland and salt lake city. we've visited both in the last three weeks, and certainly there's a lot to love about each city...