This hike’s a real keeper

Hike of the Month: Warrior Rock Lighthouse Point

A dog and a woman wearing winter clothes sit on a fallen tree in front of a lighthouse by the Columbia River
You’re looking at Oregon’s smallest lighthouse. | Photo by @benmcbeephoto
Despite its name, reaching Warrior Rock Lighthouse doesn’t take extreme bravery — although you will have to drive past a nude beach. This nearly flat route provides the chance to enjoy nature and get some fresh air during the colder months.

🥾 Quick facts

  • Starting point: Warrior Rock Lighthouse Point Trailhead, 38151 A&B NW Reeder Rd., Portland
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Distance: 7 miles
  • Route type: Out-and-back
  • Elevation gain: 25 ft
  • Trail surface: Hardpack dirt/rocks/sand
  • Wheelchair accessible: No
  • Open: Dawn to dusk, year round
  • Dog friendly: Yes, leashed

🚢 Brief overview

Authorization for the original structure came from Congress in 1888, and a year later, a wooden building with a sandstone base was constructed. Keepers were tasked with warning inbound ships of a bedrock reef projecting from Sauvie Island’s eastern shore, using an oil lamp beacon light and lens with a hand-cranked fog bell. The current 28-ft-tall octagonal concrete tower was erected in 1930.

A snowcapped Mount St. Helens rises above the horizon across the Columbia River in the midst of winter

On clear days, Mount St. Helens will peak out and say hello.

Photo by @benmcbeephoto

🐟 Why you should try it

Around this time of year, most (if not all) of the leaves should be on the ground — offering better visibility for birdwatching. Keep an eye on the sky for species like bald eagles, sandhill cranes, tundra swans, northern flickers, and more. If you’re lucky, you may even see a sea lion bobbing in the water, likely feasting on steelhead.

🦆 Pro tips

An ODFW pass ($10 daily, or $30 annually) is required to park at the trailhead and can be bought at four locations. Be aware that you will share the path with duck and geese hunters from mid-October through January — any gunshots we heard were far in the distance to the west.

🗣️ Let us know

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

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, Nov. 15
  • Portland Queer Film Festival | Tuesday, Nov. 15-Sunday, Nov. 20 | Times vary | Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st Ave., Portland | $75-$150 | The festival showcasing films made by, about, or of interest to the queer community is back after a two-year hiatus.
Wednesday, Nov. 16
  • Rumours of Fleetwood Mac | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $87 | Rediscover the original songs of one of the most loved groups of all time, courtesy of “the world’s finest tribute to Fleetwood Mac.”
Thursday, Nov. 17
  • Portland Holiday Market | Thursday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 20 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Dr., Portland | $10 | Shop outside the big box store and find handcrafted, artisan, and unique gifts.
  • Shop Small Win Big | Thursday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Dec. 11 | Times vary | Participating retailers, Portland | Free | Knock out your holiday shopping at 100+ participating small businesses and get a chance to win prizes, like dining experiences and vacations.
  • 2022/23 Portland Arts & Lectures: Anthony Doerr | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland | $88-$340 | Hear from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “All the Light We Cannot See” and “Cloud Cuckoo Land” as part of this five-part lecture series.
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.
MORE FUN THIS WAY

Stay PNW-cozy (and stylish) this season

NAU Black Friday mini
The Portland-founded brand has expanded to Korea in an effort to introduce sustainable fashion and lifestyle choices. | Photo provided by Nau
It’s time to bundle up, Portland. Enter: Nau, a “Portland Born. Seoul Designed” clothing brand where warmth meets sustainable style for everyone.

From comfy lounge sets to timeless outerwear, the Fall and Winter 2022 Collection is full of gender neutral + fashion-forward Korean designs perfect for staying PNW-cozy and on trend.

Founded in Portland in 2007 and currently headquartered in Korea, Nau is committed to producing innovative and sustainable fashion designs. Its responsibly-sourced clothing line is available both online and at its Portland flagship store.*
SHOP SEASONAL STYLES

Weather
  • 54º | Sunny skies | 1% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 7:10 a.m.
  • Set: 4:39 p.m.
Health
  • Don’t put your health on the back burner. A new report from Multnomah County recommends transitioning away from gas stoves because of the harmful pollutants they release. Children living in homes with gas stoves are reportedly 42% more likely to experience asthma symptoms and 24% more likely to be diagnosed with lifetime asthma. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Eat
  • Popular French restaurant Coquine has expanded its next-door market cafe to include a walk-in-only evening menu. Customers will find snacks, salads, and entrees — like oysters on the half shell and Dungeness crab mac and cheese. The evening menu is available 4:30-8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. 🦪 (Eater Portland)
  • Chicana and Indigenous-owned vegan ice cream business Ice Queen has opened a brick-and-mortar paletería in Southeast Portland. The location near Ladd’s Addition sells a variety of paletas and soft serve flavors, like toasted coconut and fresa with a piece of frozen Oregon strawberry. 🍦 (Portland Monthly)
Read
  • A new book written by a local author highlights Portland’s lesser-known stories. Jeff Brawn said that writing “Secret Portland, OR: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure” was as much for his own benefit as a new Rose City resident as it was to help lifelong Portlanders learn “naturally interesting” facts. 📖 (KOIN)
Holiday
  • A meat wholesaler in Southeast Portland is expecting a delivery of 2,500 turkeys this week. Nicky USA at 223 SE Third Ave. is taking online orders for turkeys now, with pickup available the week of Thanksgiving. The family-owned company also has specialty meats like venison, rabbit, and elk. 🦃 (KOIN)
Outdoors
  • Did you know that there are 600 species of bees in Oregon? You can learn about many of our more peculiar native species at a free webinar hosted by the Washington County Master Gardener Association on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 7-8 p.m. 🐝 (Beaverton Valley Times)
Try This
  • Daunted by a long holiday shopping list? Quick cash idea: List your extra storage spaces on Neighbor. You can rent out anything from closets and sheds to driveways and parking spots. Bonus: Listing your space is free. 💸*
Stat
  • 56% of current + prospective homeowners think about their finances for at least 30 minutes every day. Dig into the study.*
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X marks the spot 💰

A tale of Civil War-era treasure hidden in Portland

PDX Jones Cemetery Portland pioneer
Nathan Jones donated the land that would become Jones Cemetery to Multnomah County in 1872. | Photo by Metro
Hidden treasure has always fascinated humankind, but the possible discovery of the legendary Beeswax shipwreck earlier this year on the Oregon Coast has reignited its popularity. One particular hoard that’s alluded local seekers is a $6,000 cache of Civil War gold thought to be buried somewhere in Portland.

There’s even a bona fide treasure map accompanying the legend. The so-called Portland Treasure Chart, which resides in the Oregon Historical Society’s archives, is a piece of waxed kitchen paper with markings dated February 1862.

Among the map’s scribblings are these words: “PORTLAND OR. SIMS MONEY is BURYEED 5 FOOT DEEP AT THE TWO GRAVES NORTH FROM BARN TEN FOOT EAST” and “KEEP THIS CHART TIL GET WELL” followed by “ALL HAVE DIED.”

Of course, many people have interpreted the map’s cryptic directions in very different ways — and some have shared their thoughts with historian Ruby El Hult, whose 1957 book, “Lost Mines and Treasures of the Pacific Northwest” details the tale. Read all about the latest theorized location (spoiler alert: it’s Jones Cemetery in the West Hills)... just don’t do any graveyard digging. This may be one stash of cash that remains hidden.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben + Cambrie.

Editor’s pick: Cambrie here. Yesterday, I met up with Alina — one of the wonderful city editors at SEAtoday who was visiting Portland (for the very first time) — to cowork at Capitola Coffee.

Her first impressions of Rose City? She said she loved Powell’s City of Books, Portlanders’ unique streetwear styles, and seeing the “gorgeous” layout of the city, river, and hills. Ditto to all of that.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Get swept up in the D.B. Cooper mystery at CooperCon.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Terri Kiesenhofer | Advertise with us.

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