Compiled by Campus Health Center Attending Physician, Amanda Armington, DC for our Beat the Winter Blues Week:
- Forest Park – over 5,000 acres (one of the country’s largest urban parks!) Over 70 miles of trails for hiking, trail running, and biking. Kid friendly (enter on NW Upshur for a nice level hike good for the littles!) Wildwood trail – 30 mile loop starting at Washington Park, well-marked, easy to moderate trail. In the summer, FP hosts a ½ and full marathon event that traverses through the hills of the park– https://www.forestparkconservancy.org Also, check out the “forest park pdx” app for iphone !!
- Mt. Tabor Park – easy to moderate trails for hiking, trail running, road and mountain biking located right in SE Portland. Playground about ½ way up for the kiddos. Views of Mt. Hood and downtown from the top.
- Springwater Corridor – Downtown Portland to Boring, OR. 21 miles of paved trail along the Willamette River, through Sellwood, along Johnson Creek, through Gresham and into Boring. Run, walk, bike, rollerblade
- Yoga – any variety but especially lovely in the winter is Hot or Bikram. Check out Yoga Union on SE 50th, the Hot Flow is niiiice
- Oregon Zoo – tends to be less populated in the winter especially if it’s rainy. Lots of covered/indoor exhibits plus the animals seem to like the drizzle. Second Tuesday of the month $4 admission. Ride Tri-met for additional discount. **although currently closed, normally the Zoo Train connects with Washington Park where you can get off, enjoy the Rose Garden or other parts of Washington Park, and then re-board to head back to the Zoo. (maybe next year!)
- GORGEous Gorge Hikes – head east on I-84. Rain or shine! Most trails open year-round. A great book to check out: 60 Hikes within 60 Miles Portland. A few favorites:
- The ever popular Multnomah Falls (exit 31) – views worth the moderate switchback trail to the top. For those less athletic, a short walk up to the bridge is also quite amazing.
- Eagle Creek (exit 41) – a shorter hike to Punchbowl Falls is an easy day hike (3.8 miles round trip). Longer out-and-backs include High Bridge or Tunnel Falls.
- Angel’s Rest (exit 28) – if it’s clear, a great hike to watch the sunset! About an hour of switchbacks with quick gain, walk over bouldered shelf area and up to the view point. Bring a snack and sit on the bench up at the very top that looks west into Portland.
- Think Snow! 1 ½ hours to snow on Mt. Hood
- Sledding – Snow Bunny (3 mi east of Gov’t Camp), Cooper Spur (off Hwy 35)
- Cross Country Ski – Eight Mile Creek loop (off Hwy 35), Teacup lake (off Hwy 35), Frog Lake (off 26)
- Snowshoeing – my favorite trails include Trillium Lake Loop, Barlow Pass, Bennett Pass – can snowshoe any x-country skiing trail
- Ski/Snowboard – Mt. Hood Meadows www.skihood.com – night skiing too
- Timberline www.timberlinelodge.com
- Mt. Hood Ski Bowl – night skiing & tubing www.skibowl.com
- The Coast! 1 ½ hours to the beach! Obvious choices: long walks at sunset or a (windy) jog along the water.
- Kite flying – rent or buy a kite and fly away, we definitely have enough wind for that!
- Surfing – “Short sands” or Oswald West is a popular spot – any coast town will have rental shops for gear (don’t forget the full wetsuit!). In Ecola State Park you will find Indian Beach, another popular surfing area.
- Hike – I love Saddle Mountain (off Hwy 26) – rough ride in on a LOOONNNG road with potholes BUT the hike is awesome… Especially if you have a clear day. Moderate intensity but the views are amazing. Ft. Stevens (Astoria) is a cool spot with a history. Pacific City (further south on 101) has huge sand dunes at Cape Kiwanda that get your heart pumping (the best: running down!).
- Clam Chowder – a must when you’re on the coast. My favorite spot is Driftwood in Cannon Beach. Mo’s is another chain-y type spot in almost every coast town.
- Kid Friendly (indoor fun):
- Multnomah County Library – various branches offer kids story hour or quiet time for both kids and parents www.multcolib.org
- Vancouver Library – awesome kid’s floor! https://fvrl.ent.sirsi.net/
- OMSI www.omsi.edu
- Portland Children’s Museum www.portlandcm.org
- Playdate PDX www.playdatepdx.com
- Pump It Up Junior www.pumpitupparty.com
- Equipment rentals:
- Portland Equipment Rentals: REI (503-221-1938)
- Mountain Shop (503-288-6768)
- Next Adventure (503-233-0706)
- Fat Tire Farms (503-222-FARM) (mountain bikes)
- THINK AHEAD! (To beyond the winter months!
- Hippie Chick Half (women’s only half & quarter marathons) May 10
- Tough Mudder August 9+10
- Bridge Pedal August 10
- Hood To Coast/Portland to Coast August 22
- Color Run September 6
