Portland Spoke – The Official Blog of Travel Portland

A couple of weeks ago, I had a perfect day. I joined an all-day snowshoe tour with Pedal Bike Tours, which took us from downtown Portland up to Timberline for about an hour of downhill snowshoeing through some gorgeous and varied terrain, followed by a ski-lift ride up the mountain (what a view!), and a lavish lunch in the Cascade Dining Room at Timberline Lodge (freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and caramel ice cream!). The sky was bright blue and the air was about 40 degrees. It was amazing and the best part: I didn’t have to worry about, or pack, a thing — the tour took care of the drive, the snowshoes and lunch. It was fabulous.

The group with Todd from Pedal Bike Tours and Timberline Lodge in the background

Timberline Lodge is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, which makes it an excellent time to visit this national landmark. If you want to stay over (highly recommended), Timberline’s offering a lodging deal for $75 for a second night’s stay in a queen room.

All year down in Portland we look up at Mount Hood’s beautiful snowy peak. In the wintertime it’s at its brightest, covered in a blanket of powder. Of course there’s skiing and snowboarding for all of you speed demons, but snowshoeing is such a peaceful way to spend time with friends on the mountain with minimal gear, and not very much cost. You can rent snowshoes in Portland at the Mountain Shop for $10 for two days, if you’re an adventurer who wants to explore on your own. Pedal Bike Tours has recently started to up the ante with their snowshoe tours that leave from downtown Portland for a day on the mountain, including a decadent lunch at Timberline Lodge.

Whether you visit Mount Hood on your own or with a group, stopping at Timberline for a warm beverage is a must. The historic landmark is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012. In celebration, they’re offering a deal of $75 for a second night’s stay in a queen room from January to May.

Mt. Hood from the approach on Hwy. 26

When you’re driving up to a mountain, seeing its bright peak pop up in the distance is one of the most exhilarating feelings. Anticipating what you’ll find there is part of the fun, because a winter-white landscape can be so refreshing to the body and spirit during the grayest part of the year. Whether you are someone who feels the need for speed — downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling or sledding – or prefer the peace of quiet forest trails and cozy lodges, Mount Hood has a world of fun waiting only about an hour and a half from Portland. (more…)

After jaw-dropping amounts of snow (for Portland) and torrential amounts of rain (for Portland), the city streets look a little rough around the edges….or rather, right in the middle.

In order to fend off accidents, flat tires and generally annoyed drivers and cyclists, the city has set up a hotline where people can report potholes.

I think this is an excellent idea – the city has more eyes on the road, drivers and cyclists can take action to help solve the problem, and everything becomes safer.

If you spot a problem, call 503.823.BUMP (2867).

For more information, see the city press release.