Today’s Forecast

49º | Showers | 84% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:50 a.m. | Sunset 4:40 p.m.

It’s blooming beautiful 🌸

Hike of the Month: Mosier Plateau

Light purple lupine flowers grow alongside a hiking trail at Mosier Plateau.

More than 30 species of wildflowers bloom at Mosier Plateau from March to May. | Photo by Ben McBee, PDXtoday

The Gorge Towns to Trails project is a monumental plan to create a 200-mile loop on both sides of the Columbia River Gorge, linking communities and natural areas. On this crown, Mosier Plateau is the stunning jewel, a 45-acre clifftop preserve with soaring vistas and wildflowers.

Quick facts

Starting point: Mosier Plateau Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.5 miles
Route type: Out-and-back
Elevation gain: 600 ft
Trail surface: Dirt
Wheelchair accessible: No
Open: Year-round
Dog friendly: Yes, on leash

Hikers are treated to views of Mosier Falls early on.
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Photo by Ben McBee, PDXtoday

Brief overview

Take a short walk across the Mosier Creek Bridge and up into Pocket Park, where you’ll find a pioneer cemetery with tombstones dating as far back as 1809. The trail gradually climbs among the oaks, before cresting the cape via several stairs. On top, the views open up with a straight-ahead look at the impressive Coyote Wall rock feature.

Why you should try it

The rainbow of blooms speaks for itself, with splashes of yellow balsamroot and purple lupine the main players on the palette. Although Mosier Plateau is a bit of a drive from Portland — about 70 miles — it’s a worthy alternative to other dreamy wildflower destinations like Dog Mountain, which requires a permit, is very long, and much steeper.

Alternating images of Mosier Plateau. — Mosier Plateau is a photographer’s paradise.
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Photo by Ben McBee, PDXtoday

Pro tips

The best wildflower viewing is March through May, with peak color in April. There are plenty of nearby food and beverage options when you get off the trail. Check out the Mexican food cart La Vaquita Taqueria beside Mosier Totem Pole Plaza, head down the road for a sip at a winery, or stop at Gorges Brewing Co.'s three-story flagship location in Cascade Locks.

Let us know

Did you try this hike? Do you know of one we should check out? Send us your thoughts and recommendations — or check out our other monthly hiking guides.

Events

Tuesday, May 16

Journal the Arboretum Trees | Tuesday, May 16 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., Portland | $70 | Let the natural world inspire your illustrations as you walk the wooded trails.
The Lullaby Project | Tuesday, May 16 | 6:30 p.m. | Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St., Portland | Free | A few first-come, first-served spots remain for this collaborative show between the Oregon Symphony and Path Home.
Helium Presents: Abby Roberge | Tuesday, May 16 | 8 p.m. | Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE Ninth Ave., Portland | $20-$28 | This Vancouver, B.C. born stand-up has opened for Bill Burr and made an appearance on “Modern Family.”

Wednesday, May 17

Shemanski Park Farmers Market | Wednesday, May 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Southwest Park Avenue + Southwest Main Street, Portland | Free | Shop for farm-fresh and locally made food under a lush canopy of trees in the heart of downtown Portland.
Music in the Garden | Wednesday, May 17 | 1:15-6:15 p.m. | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland | $15.95-$21.95 | Enjoy performances celebrating Asian and Asian American composers, musicians, and culture in six short recitals.

Thursday, May 18

Thursday Bird Song Walks in May: Council Crest | Thursday, May 18 | 7-9 a.m. | Portland Audubon, 5151 NW Cornell Rd., Portland | Free | Rise with the sun and birdsong at Portland’s highest point.
Jane Wong in Conversation With Mat Johnson | Thursday, May 18 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Hear from the author of “Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City,” a memoir about her family’s Chinese restaurant, father’s gambling addiction, and making do with what you have— and don’t have.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Outdoors

Timed tickets are returning to Multnomah Falls starting Friday, May 26. The measure, designed to reduce overcrowding at one of Oregon’s most-visited locations, requires visitors between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to reserve a $2 vehicle pass on Recreation.gov. (Portland Tribune)

Arts

In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Oregon Rises Above Hate is partnering with the Portland Art Museum to offer free admission on Saturday, May 20. You can reserve tickets online on Wednesday, May 17, or just walk in.

Festival

The eighth annual Vanport Mosaic Festival (Thursday, May 18-Monday, May 29) will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the catastrophic flood that destroyed an entire community. Portlanders can experience this memory activism through exhibits, artistic tributes, documentaries and oral recordings, tours of the historic area, and more. (Portland Tribune)

Plan Ahead

Let’s get straight to the point. The third annual Portland Tattoo Expo is happening Friday, May 19-Sunday, May 21 at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. There will be live music, good food, and talented artists ready to give you some fresh ink.

Sports

Evander’s brilliant performance over the weekend against the Timbers’ fierce PNW rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps, made him MLS player of the week. The Brazilian midfielder, also Portland’s most expensive signing, notched two goals in the 3-1 victory at Providence Park. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Number

80. That’s how many recipes from local chefs you can hungrily eye in “Oregon Wine + Food,” a new cookbook from Portland food writers Danielle Centoni and Kerry Newberry. You can also read profiles on 40 winemakers, including former Trail Blazer CJ McCollum. (Portland MonthlYy)

History

Rita Sorensen — the first woman police officer assigned to street patrol in Portland — was considered by many to be an experiment destined to fail. But as the only female in the Oregon Police Academy’s 1972 graduating class, she paved the way for the 50+ women on the city’s force today. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

The Buy

Turn misplaced keys into a thing of the past with the Apple AirTag. The button-sized tracking device can give you step-by-step directions to your lost keys (or phone…or wallet…) and has a battery life of one year. Pro tip: Put one in your checked luggage and never worry about lost baggage again.*

Traffic

Concrete cracked by climate change

Northeast 33rd Avenue Bridge closes as crews repair cracked column

A Portland Bureau of Transportation engineer inspects a crack beneath the Northeast 33rd Avenue Bridge.

Portland’s aging transportation infrastructure is not resilient against climate change. | Photo via PBOT

Portland is still feeling the harmful effects of the 2021 heat dome event. Hundreds of people died across the PNW due to hyperthermia and the extreme temperatures also damaged infrastructure by buckling roads and melting power cables on the Portland Streetcar.

It also caused a crack in a concrete support column on the Northeast 33rd Avenue Bridge, which connects the Concordia neighborhood with Columbia Boulevard. Starting today, the bridge and all of its ramps will be fully closed until midsummer as the final stages of repair work commence.

Portland Bureau of Transportation crews will use a jack to lift the bridge and support it with temporary beams while they demolish the old concrete column and replace it. The structure is 90 years old; if more damage is discovered, the project could be extended.

Detour signs will be posted, directing northbound drivers to Northeast Dekum or Lombard streets and southbound drivers to Northeast 60th Avenue.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

Recently, I was given a Canon T70 film camera that still works despite being almost 40 years old. I tested it out over the weekend in the Gorge and I’m excited to see the results.

To all the photographers who still shoot analog — where is your favorite local shop to get your negatives developed? Let me know.

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