We like that boulder, that is a nice boulder

Hike of the Month: Beacon Rock

Hiking through the maple trees in the shadow of a rocky cliff

Beacon Rock is a basalt volcanic plug on the Columbia River’s north shore. | Photo by PDXtoday

About 30 miles east of Vancouver in the Columbia River Gorge, you’ll encounter a natural landmark that towers above the surrounding forest. As you stare up at Beacon Rock, you’ll probably have questions. How did this stone behemoth come to be? Who would be brave enough to build a trail on it? Or even, will you marry me?

Well, we can answer all those questions (she did say yes).

🥾 Quick facts

Starting point: Beacon Rock State Park, 34841 SR 14, Skamania
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2 miles
Route type: Out-and-back
Elevation gain: 600 ft
Trail surface: Hardpack dirt/gravel/boardwalk
Wheelchair accessible: No
Open: 8 a.m. to dusk, year round
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed

Beacon Rock's trail is cut into the side of the cliff, providing tremendous views of the Columbia River Gorge. — The first climbers summitted Beacon Rock in 1901, 17 years before the first trail was finished.

🌋 Brief overview

Approx. 57,000 years ago, Beacon Rock was the core of a volcano. After it went extinct, the Missoula floods eroded its exterior, revealing the basalt column that we recognize today. Indigenous peoples long referred to it as “Che-Che-op-tin,” which translates to “the navel of the world.” On their way to the Pacific Ocean, Lewis and Clark first observed tides here — a promising sign. Conservationist Henry J. Biddle succeeded in constructing a trail to the rock’s peak in 1918.

🌲Why you should try it

You’ll get nearly 360° vistas of the Gorge from the lofty boardwalk, which will either thrill adrenaline seekers or petrify those who are afraid of heights (don’t worry, there are handrails). Beacon Rock’s northwest corner is open to rock climbing year round, while its other faces are closed to protect sensitive wildlife, like nesting peregrine falcons.

A viewpoint shows the Columbia River from in between a rock face and tree — Make sure to bring the binoculars and keep an eye out for wildlife.

📸 Pro tips

If you don’t already have an annual Discover Pass ($35), you will need to purchase a single-day pass ($11.50) at the self-serve kiosk. To photograph Beacon Rock from a distance in all its glory, there is a viewpoint near Hamilton Mountain Trailhead.

🗣️ Let us know

Did you try this hike? Do you know of one we should check out? Send us your thoughts + recommendations.

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Today

Jackson Browne | Wed., Sept. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale | $48+ | If you’re “Running on Empty” this week, after you see this concert, you’ll say “I’m Alive.”
Celebrating Billy Joel | Wed., Sept. 14 | 8 p.m. | Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave. | $63 | Sing us a song on the piano man, sing us a song tonight. 🎹

Thursday

Aloha Community Farmers’ Market | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 3-7 p.m. | 17675 SW Farmington Rd., Aloha | Free | Support local growers, makers, and artisans — nearly 30 vendors in total.
El Grito | Thurs., Sept. 15-Fri., Sept. 16 |11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St. | Free | National Hispanic Heritage Month begins with independence celebrations, featuring folkloric and Aztec dancers, live mariachi, salsa, and cumbia music, plus traditional food and beverages. 💃
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest | Thurs., Sept. 15-Sun., Sept. 18 | Times vary | Various locations | Free+ | Put on your lederhosen and drive south (about 50 minutes) to the largest festival of its kind in the PNW.
The Shins | Thurs., Sept. 15-Fri., Sept. 16 | Times vary | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave. | $69+ | The Portland-based indie icons will rock the city’s “living room” for two nights. 🎸

Friday

Rock Haven Climbing Grand Opening Fest | Fri., Sept. 16-Sat., Sept. 17 | Times vary | 355 NE 223rd Ave., Gresham | $22+ | Check out the food and drinks, vendor tables, dyno competitions, shoe demos, raffle, and yoga and fitness classes.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | Now-Sun., Sept. 25 | Times vary | Chapel Theatre, 4107 SE Harrison St., Milwaukie | $10+| This modern dance-infused presentation of the Shakespeare classic is magic on stage.
“Workhorse Queen” | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave. | $12 | This documentary explores the complexities of reality television’s impact on queer performance culture by focusing on the growing divide between members of a small town drag community. 🎥

Saturday

MLK Dream Run | Sat., Sept. 17-Sun., Sept. 18 | Times vary | PCC Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth St. | $40+, free for Saturday Kids Race | Run 5K, 10K, or 15K in support of this year’s theme, environmental justice. 👟

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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MUCH MORE TO DO

Wellness

Put back in what you’re sweatin’ out 💦

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LMNT is a healthy addition to every lifestyle. | Photo provided by LMNT

To perform at your mental + physical best every day, proper hydration is key. Unfortunately, most electrolyte drinks are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients (read: stuff you don’t want in your body).

Enter: LMNT, a drink that replaces essential electrolytes without sugar, coloring, gluten, artificial ingredients or other junk. LMNT tastes great, too — you can even use it as a cocktail mixer. (Hello, weekend hydration.)

Bonus: Portlanders get a free gift with any purchase.*

CLAIM YOUR FREE GIFT

Weather

74º | Mostly sunny | 7% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:48 a.m.
Set: 7:22 p.m.

State

Expanded federal Medicaid funding for mental health crisis services is coming to Oregon — the first state to be approved. Although Portland Street Response was initially declined, its program manager Robyn Burek will speak with the Oregon Health Authority soon to revisit the non-police crisis intervention team’s application. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Cause

Clothes for Kids, a program run by the Beaverton School District, is asking the community for donations of gently-used pants (especially sizes 4T to 10) for young kids in need. Drop off the items in the bins at 16550 SW Merlo Rd., Monday through Friday during regular business hours. 👖 (KOIN)

Pets

Do you have a photogenic pup, a cat with looks that could kill, or a hamster that really knows how to ham it up? Well, the Oregon Humane Society is looking for pet pictures for its 2022 contest — a $10 donation gets you an entry and it’s $5 for five votes. 🐶

DYK

Condon, a town of 760 people located in remote Gilliam County, is home to a tiny outpost of Powell’s Books. The company’s owner at the time, Michael Powell, founded the location in 1993 when he struck up a friendship with the proprietor of a local flower shop. 📚 (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Plan Ahead

This weekend (Sat., Sept. 17-Sun., Sept. 18) you can get a taste of the Balkans in your own backyard at the 15th annual Serbian Fest. The free event in Milwaukie will have culinary delicacies like whole roasted pigs and lamb, plus cultural experiences like the traditional kolo dance. 🇷🇸
You have a little over a year to prepare for an annular solar eclipse, which will occur in the skies above Southern Oregon on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023. The “ring of fire” event will follow a southeasterly path from Reedsport (starting at 9:13 a.m.) through Eugene, Crater Lake, and Lakeview. 🌒 (KOIN)

Number

$548,000. That’s how much the median home sale price was in the Portland metro in August — a 3.1% decrease from July, and the largest drop in months. There were also 3,209 new listings, a 13.2% reduction from August 2021. (KOIN)

Sports

People persist in puzzling over the perfect place to play pickleball. Lake Oswego City Council voted to move the courts at George Rogers Park following complaints from nearby residents; initial suggestions include the Yakama Products property on Kruse Way, spots at the former Marylhurst University campus + the Hazelia Dog Park. (Lake Oswego Review)

Drink

Tasty and healthy? Yes, please. Super Coffee is the energy-boosting, great-tasting drink with 0g added sugar, 10g protein, and 200mg of caffeine — and only 80 calories. Taste for yourself to see why it’s creating so much buzz. ☕ *

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Raise a glass to diversity 🍷

Tiquette Bramlett stands against a wooden wall with a staircase running up it.

Tiquette Bramlett earned one of five nominations for this category. | Photo by Foundry 503

The 23rd edition of Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards has a notably local terroir; Tiquette Bramlett, the first Black woman hired to oversee a winery in the US, has been nominated for Social Visionary of the Year.

In 2020, she founded Our Legacy Harvested, an organization that promotes diversity and inclusivity in Oregon’s wine industry by educating, advancing, and empowering the BIPOC community. Its inaugural internship program connected participants to roles at two Willamette Valley wineries, while providing them with scholarships to cover basic needs and a safe + supportive community network.

Winners will be announced in the magazine’s Best of Year issue and celebrated at a black-tie gala in January 2023.

THE WRAP

Today’s edition was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: I have to say, the PDX Live concert series was really impressive this year — Blind Pilot, Modest Mouse, The Roots, and Father John Misty, just to name a few. What a lineup.

Since The Shins and Spoon + Interpol close out the calendar at Pioneer Courthouse Square, I may have to reckon my FOMO with my bank account, and simply make reservations for the rooftop bar Departure.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Unpublished literary works live on with love and recognition at The Brautigan Library.

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Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Eva Limmer | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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