In the summer, Trillium Lake is a popular destination for kayaking, swimming, and camping. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday
Panoramic views of Oregon’s tallest peak, snow-dusted forests, and very little overall elevation gain make the Trillium Lake Winter Loop a very popular trail during the colder months.
This loop is the wintertime answer to the much shorter summer loop. The winter route follows closed roads that lead to Trillium Campground and a day-use area. Used by hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers, the winter loop is wide and mostly flat — with the exception of a long hill at the start/end. You’ll pass a pioneer cemetery, see a lot of dogs, and be treated to two sweeping vistas of Mount Hood. It took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete.
🎿 Why you should try it
Trillium Lake Winter Loop is a gentle (though crowded) entry into off-season backcountry exploring and is great for beginner cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The route is easy to follow, even under fresh snow, since the roads cut wide paths through the forest.
🥾 Pro tips
There are no public restrooms at the trailhead, so you may want to make a quick pitstop at Government Camp Rest Area before traveling ~2 miles further to Trillium Lake Sno Park. Be sure to bring chains or have traction tires on your vehicle. A Sno-Park Permit is required to park from November through April. You can get away with just wearing sturdy hiking boots(with or without micro spikes) if there isn’t fresh powder on the trail. Try the loop counter-clockwise if starting later in the day for the best light.
📩 Let us know
Did you try this hike? Do you know of one we should check out? Send us your thoughts and recommendations.
Free Soccer Skills Clinic | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Delta Park - Owens Sports Complex, 10737 N. Union Ct., Portland | Free | Kids born between 2012 and 2014 can register to join former Portland Timbers player Kalif Alhassan, former Rose City Futsal Coach Abdi Sheikh, and others to learn what club soccer is all about.
Wednesday, Feb. 1
People’s Farmers Market | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 2-6 p.m. | People’s Food Co-op, 3029 SE 21st Ave., Portland | Free | The “longest-running year-round market in Portland” offers organic produce fresh from local farms, live music, educational events, cooking demonstrations, and space to spend time with neighbors.
One Page Wednesday | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Literary Arts, 925 SW Washington St., Portland | Free | Get inspired by listening to a single page of works-in-progress from talented writers — or share your own.
Friday, Feb. 3
Mt. Angel Volksfest | Friday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 5 | Times vary | Mt. Angel Community Festhalle, 500 Wilco Hwy NE, Mount Angel | $5-$10 | This celebration of German sausage features live, family-friendly entertainment, local beer and wine, artisan vendors, cake walks, dancing, and — of course — food.
Portland Winter Light Festival | Friday, Feb. 3-Saturday, Feb. 11 | 6-10 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | “The Light of the Stars” will illuminate Rose City with pop-up installations sprinkled across neighborhoods while the downtown district hosts large, dynamic light-art sculptures and performances.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Travelers with disabilities can now use a free smartphone app to find their way around Portland International Airport. GoodMaps Explore provides audio and visual directions to locations in the terminal, like restrooms and restaurants, with three language options. PDX is one of the only airports in the world to use the app. ✈️ (OPB)
Community
Word is Bond is once again inviting community members to “step into the lives of young Black men across the greater Portland metro area.” Ambassadors with the nonprofit leadership program will lead one-hour walking tours, each covering one of eight neighborhoods, every Saturday fromFeb. 4 to Feb. 25. 🏘️
Sports
The Portland Pilots have a newall-time leading scorer at the NCAA Division I level. Alex Fowler helped lead the University of Portland women to a 58-39 win over the LMU Lions on Saturday, Jan. 28, putting up 10 points and pushing her total career tally to 1,954. 🏀 (Portland Pilots)
Opening
A cocktail lounge opening Saturday, Feb. 18 “is poised to become Portland’s go-to neighborhood hangout for vegan snacks, drinks, and conversation.” The new spot — Workshop — will offer vegan Cuban tapas like guava galletas alongside plant-based “luxuries” (think: caviar tarts made with seaweed and charcuterie-inspired vegetable plates). 🥕 (Eater Portland)
Eat
Shizuku by Chef Naoko on Southwest Jefferson is open again, but only for takeout. The Japanese restaurant located a couple of blocks west of the Portland Art Museum offers limited to-go options like bentos, onigiri, and tamagoyaki. For now, its dining room is available to rent for private events. 🍙 (Eater Portland)
Drink
Starting next month, Alaska Airlines’ 30 million annual passengers will be able to orderPortland-made canned cocktails when the bar cart trundles past their aisle. Straightaway Cocktails will come in 3.5-ounce cans for $12. Travelers can choose between an old-fashioned and a margarita. 💺 (Portland Monthly)
Cause
Calling all Portlanders: Meals on Wheels People needs volunteers to provide critical support to the homebound older adults in our community. Give back and change the life of an older adult in your community — one meal and friendly connection at a time. *
Trending
The internet’s most popular cup is backin stock. The Stanley Quencher is beloved for its comfortable handle, large straw, ability to fit in your car’s cup holder, and how it keeps water cold for 11 hours. Plus, the popular 40-ounce size means all day hydration. 💧 *
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Treasure hunters won’t need to climb or dig to find the glass hearts. | Photo courtesy of Tualatin Parks and Recreation
The city of Tualatin will once again hide 175 handblown glass hearts in parks and along trails throughout the month of February.
Tualatin’s Parks and Recreation Department is the beating heart of the popular Share the Love program, which began two years ago to help people cope with social isolation. The hearts are made by regional artists; this year’s glass blower is Timothy Jaquet of Tacoma.
Here’s where to look:
Atfalati Park, Browns Ferry Park, Ibach Park, Jurgens Park, Little Woodrose, Lafky Park, Stoneridge Park, Commons Park, Tualatin Community Park, the Lake of the Commons, and along trails including Chieftain Dakota, Hedges Greenway, and the Tualatin River Greenway Trail.
If you find a heart, you can keep it as a reminder of your love for the city or re-hide it to share the love. Be sure to snap a photo and tag #ShareTheLoveTualatin in your posts.
Editor’s pick: I tried the Trillium Lake Winter Loop over the weekend and couldn’t have gotten luckier with the weather — it was a perfect day with bluebird skies. The windchill was no joke, though, so if you try this hike, definitely bring layers and pack a thermos of hot soup.
Editorial:Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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