This fantastic city is known for being practically a stone's throw away from the ravenous coast and the steep peaks of Mount Hood, but did you know that there's actually a beach only half an hour away from downtown Portland? Sauvie Island has everything a beach has and more! There is an endless list of activities, including kite riding, berry picking, fishing, water activities, and more. This is the perfect place to take a day trip in the summer! Here's a little slice of paradise hiding right here in the city of Portland:
Have you been to this little slice of paradise in Portland?
Most Portlanders are familiar with Rocky Butte, Powell Butte, Kelly Butte, and Mt Tabor, but did you know that a little further to the east lies another butte worth exploring? Situated in neighboring Gresham, Hogan Butte is the city's newest park and it has some amazing views that you are going to want to check out on the next clear day you are free.
advertisement
Sitting on just 46 acres, this tiny park may be small, but makes up for its micro size with some incredible larger-than-life views.
Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, and Mt Hood are all predictably visible from the crest of the butte.
If you don't know which way to look, a mountain finder will help you locate the mountains, and if it is especially clear, you can catch glimpses of Mt Ranier and Mt Jefferson while there.
A sheltered picnic area, restrooms, paved trails, and well-marked interpretive signs in English, Spanish and Russian make the park welcoming and easy to navigate.
Part of the Boring Lava Field, Hogan Butte is a 930-foot high inactive volcanic vent surrounded by mature native forest.
The park is named after pioneer Eli Hogan. Trees from the butte were used to build the reservoirs at Mt Tabor from 1894 to 1911.
Today the area is a natural area with plenty of wildlife to spot. Be on the lookout for deer, red tailed hawks, foxes and bobcats as you travel through the park that they call home.
advertisement
There are 20 parking spaces available at the park and the parking lot is ADA accessible. Hogan Butte Nature Park is located at 757 SE Gabbert Road in Gresham and is open from sunrise to sunset.
Have you been to this small park with expansive views? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
We don't have to look to far back into history to find a massive snowstorm in Portland. Just last January, our city was blanketed in a beautiful coat of snow. Nearly a foot of snow fell in 24 hours, bringing the city to halt, closing schools for a week, and earning the title of the biggest snowstorm in over 20 years.
advertisement
With no school, kids took to the neighborhood hills and had some good old fun.
Since many streets were closed, plenty were repurposed as sledding runs, while other people took to local parks for thrills.
Just walking around your neighborhood was a treat on January 12th, after the snow fell.
Like whenever it snows, much of the city stood still and hunkered down indoors.
Those who were traveling had an unfortunately long trip pretty much anywhere they went.
Many cars were abandoned on the freeway after getting stuck, slowing down the recovery after the storm.
Some residents really got into the fun.
And others used it as an opportunity to get a little winter sporting (and alternative transportation) in.
advertisement
Even the snow couldn't keep the city's many little libraries from operating.
No matter how many times you have walked your street, you probably had never seen it quite like that January day.
The most snow fell in the West Hills, North Portland, and Vancouver, with some areas reporting up to 15 inches of snow, according to the Oregonian.
The massive amount of snow prompted our governor and mayor to declare a state of emergency in the city.
While this may the be most striking snowstorm in the past 20 years, it is not the biggest in the city.
In the winter of 1892 to 1893, the city saw a total of 70 inches of snowfall!
advertisement
Let's just hope we have a milder winter this year, and this massive snowstorm can be just a memory.