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Pine Shed Ribs Offers Gourmet S’more Kits

For Pine Shed Ribs, Father’s Day is the pinnacle event of the summer. That’s why owners Matt Ramey and Jenni Peterson are encouraging customers to get orders in now for a barbecue feast that’s sure to please any Dad or grad. The Family Barbecue Dinner ($40-$46) is the most popular item for the holiday, with a choice of two smoked meats, such as the Santa Maria-style tri-tip or the house-made smoked pork link, along with corn bread and two large side orders.

The warmer temperatures mean that the patio has become the perfect spot to be for large gatherings, especially families. House pastry chef Rachel Florip has been busy crafting s’more kits, and Matt has been piling up wood for the fire pit. The $6 kits include hand-made graham crackers smothered with chocolate, and from-scratch marshmallows. The restaurant loans out telescoping roasting sticks to achieve ideal toasting perfection. S’more kits may also be ordered for take-out with 24-hours’ notice.

Father’s Day/grads orders are now accepted via the restaurant’s online order form at www.pineshedribs.com, or by calling 503-635-7427. The restaurant will be open from noon to 6 pm (or until sold out) for dining in or order pick-up on Sunday, June 19.

About Pine Shed Ribs

Pine Shed Ribs serves up a Pacific Northwest interpretation of Santa Maria-style tri-tip barbecue, featuring an intimate bar/dining room and expansive shaded patio. The restaurant is located at 17730 Pilkington Rd, Lake Oswego, OR, 97035. For take-out or catering, please call 503-635-7427.

Pine Shed

The Pine Shed fire pit is open for business.

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Spring Menu Arrives at Nel Centro, in Time for Mother’s Day

PORTLAND, Ore. – There are plenty of ways to treat mom at Nel Centro this Mother’s Day.  In support of Portland Opera’s “The Magic Flute” opening at the Keller Auditorium, bar manager Nathanial Stout has created an eponymous cocktail made with Nardini Acqua di Cedro, grapefruit bitters and Prosecco, served in a champagne flute.  The drink will be available starting Wednesday, May 5th and continue through the entire month.

In his new menu, executive chef John Eisenhart takes advantage of the abundance of spring ingredients now hitting the market.

New dinner items include:

  • Tortelli with English peas and lemon
  • Black pepper tagliatelle with speck, fava beans and Pecorino Toscano
  • English pea agnolotti with Dungeness crab and fines herbes
  • Lamb shank with couscous, asparagus and Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Northwest halibut with black barley salad and lemon olive vinaigrette

Mother’s Day Brunch highlights include:

  • Brioche French toast with lemon curd and crème fraîche
  • Steelhead cakes with poached eggs and black pepper hollandaise
  • Florentine omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese
  • Rotisserie chicken salad with hazelnuts and grapes
  • Quiche Lorraine with mesclun greens

Brunch Cocktails:

  • Blood orange bellini with Prosecco and blood orange purée
  • Nel Centro Bloody Mary with New Deal vodka and San Marzano tomatoes

Mother’s Day Brunch reservations are available by calling 503-484-1099.

Nel Centro is located in the heart of the downtown Portland at 1408 SW Sixth Avenue adjacent to Hotel Modera. Classic dishes of Northern Italy and Southeast France meet David Machado’s passion for culinary tradition and locally sourced, seasonal food. For more information and menu, please visit nelcentro.com.

Nel Centro

Bar manager Nathanial Stout has created an eponymous cocktail made with Nardini Acqua di Cedro, grapefruit bitters and Prosecco, served in a champagne flute.

 

Nel Centro

Tagliatelle

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The Dalles: Top 6 Springtime Activities

Springtime in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a place of natural wonder and fun for the whole family. Here are six diverse ways to experience spring in and around The Dalles:

Northwest Cherry Festival at The Dalles

Experience authentic Oregon at the Northwest Cherry Festival (April 22-24, 2016). Now in its 37thyear, this popular festival showcases The Dalles’ deep agricultural roots and Western roots. This year’s theme, “Highway to Cherrytown,” is a nod to the Historic Columbia River Highway’s Centennial celebration. Festivities include the Gorge’s biggest parade, classic car, a 10k running race, pony rides, Davis Show’s Carnival, and lots of local music. And of course, there’s also cherry sampling with the Oregon Cherry Growers. The festival culminates with the crowning of Festival King Bing and Queen Anne.

Springtime Wildflowers

Immerse yourselves in wildflowers. Head out right now to see the spectacular wildflowers that are painting the Gorge, which is home to 15 wildflowers found nowhere else and to over 800 species overall. Don’t miss the fantastic display at Tom McCall Preserve, a Nature Conservancy site with two short (one- and two-miles) hikes and spectacular views of the Gorge.

Historic Columbia River Highway

Take on the Historic Columbia River Highway during its centennial year. The Historic Columbia River Highway was America’s first scenic highway, and 2016 marks 100 years since it was dedicated at Multnomah Falls in 1916. Motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists will love the final, iconic section of the 73-mile long Historic Highway, between Mosier and The Dalles. It includes amazing views and spring wildflowers at Rowena Crest’s Tom McCall Preserve, and memorable descent into The Dalles via the Rowena Curves – featured in numerous car commercials.

 

Gorge Highway

The Columbia River Gorge Highway celebrates its 100 anniversary.

Go Fish

The eastern end of the Gorge is an angler’s paradise. It hosts some of the greatest fishing around with easy access to several major rivers such as the Klickitat, Deschutes, John Day, and the Columbia. The Dalles Pool, which stretches from The Dalles Dam upstream to the John Day Dam is home to the Pacific Northwest’s best walleye fishery. If your angling for Cohoe and Chinook salmon, then the Spring and Fall runs on the Columbia will not disappoint but if you are looking for a River Monster Adventure then you need to try your luck with the allusive Sturgeon that reside on the bottom of the Columbia River.

Explore Winery Scene

Explore the Gorge’s winery scene during Gorge Wine Experience (April 29-May 1, 2016). This three-day Gorge wine immersion experience brings together wine lovers, winemakers, vignerons and local cuisine and celebrates everything that makes Gorge wine exceptional. More than 25 themed wine activities throughout the Gorge over one weekend will let wine enthusiasts to see all sides of Gorge wine and meet the faces behind the labels. The Dalles area includes many award-winning wineries, including Maryhill Winery and Jacob Williams Winery. For full details and tickets, go to columbiagorgewine.com.

Bird Watching

Discover why The Dalles is Oregon’s best kept secret for discovering our fine feathered friends. From the east side of Mount Hood to The Dalles is where you will find tree-lined trails providing the best riverside birding in the county. Species seen here include Greater White-fronted Geese, Wood Duck, Canvasback, Grebes, Osprey, shorebirds, many species of gulls, Common Tern, Caspian Tern, Western Kingbird, American Pipit, and Cedar Waxwing, to name a few. A great activity for all ages! Don’t forget the amazing Raptor Shows at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Museum for an up-close encounter with the birds of prey of the Gorge.

 

 

 

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Arrosto Rostisserie Opens Wednesday

PORTLAND, OR – Pastaworks at Providore Fine Foods will open its Mediterranean-inspired Rotisserie on Wednesday, April 13th at 11:30 a.m. serving slow-roasted, free-range, antibiotic-free chickens rubbed with lemon and rosemary oil. The menu includes options from whole bird to a quarter bird with or without sides, which include the Arrosto Potatoes, Arrosto Salad and a slab of Pastaworks’ focaccia. Prices range from $10-27, and meals can be ordered at the convenient walk-up window facing Providore’s parking lot on the west side of the building. Dining is take-out or available to eat at inside or outside tables. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. The window’s regular hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

“My husband Kevin de Garmo and I have long been obsessed with the rotisserie chickens we devoured on our travels along Italy’s Ligurian coast,” said Kaie Wellman, co-owner of Providore Fine Foods and Pastaworks. “When we first saw the building that’s become Providore, we knew we finally had the right space to open the rotisserie.”

Arrosto Menu:

Chickens (free-range, antibiotic-free, rubbed with lemon and rosemary oil)

  • Whole Bird plus all sides $28 without sides $20
  • Half Bird (breast, wing, thigh and leg) plus all sides $18, without sides $14
  • Quarter Bird (one breast wing, one thigh or leg) with sides $12, without sides $8

Sides (a la carte)

  • Arrosto Salad – baby arugula, escarole and radicchio with shaved pecorino romano, herb crumbs and a lemon anchovy vinaigrette. Small $4, Large $10
  • Arrosto Potatoes – potatoes roasted in chicken drippings. Small $2.50, Large $8
  • Pastaworks’ Focaccia – popular housemade focaccia with sea salt and rosemary. Eight slab $2.50, Quarter slab $4

About Providore Fine Foods

Hand-crafted pasta, briny oysters, grass-fed meat, small-farm produce and buttery croissants are just a few of the delicious edibles to be found at Providore Fine Foods, a European-style specialty market in Portland, Oregon, from the owners of Pastaworks. As the new flagship location for the 33-year old Pastaworks, Providore Fine Foods has gathered a group of Portland’s finest food purveyors to share the 5,000-square foot building once home to an automobile showroom.  The new marketplace brings local, regional and international culinary provisions under one roof, including pasta, cheese, prepared foods, dried goods, chocolates and candy, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages at Pastaworks, roast chickens at Arrosto, local, sustainable seafood and meat from Flying Fish Company + Oyster Bar and The Meat Monger, unique local produce at Rubinette Produce, innovative breads and pastries at Little T Baker, and botanical floras at Emerald Petals.

Providore Fine Foods is located at 2340 NE Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR 97232. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For more information, menus, classes and tastings, please visit www.providorefinefoods.com.

City Market NW is the sister location for Providore Fine Foods and is located at 735 NW 21st Avenue, Portland, OR 97209. For more information and hours, please visit the website.

 

Arrosto

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Five Myths About Your Child’s Teeth

Debunking common myths about teeth, and how to better your child’s overall health

Taking care of your oral health is essential for your long-term health and overall well-being. For a child, this care is even more crucial at these early stages of development. General dentists are in a position where they can establish a dental care program with women who are pregnant and how they can take care of their child after they’re born. During pregnancy, women are often planning what they need to prepare before the birth of their child, and establishing a dental program should be one of those ways.

If you have already given birth to your child, there are many steps and activities you can do now that will set them up for a healthy dental plan that lowers their risk for dental caries and improves their overall health. Preventative care at an early age is crucial to the development and longevity for one’s health. These are five common myths you need to know about your child’s dental health and how you can create a healthy dental home:

Myth 1: Children do not need to visit the dentist until they are in preschool.

A child should visit their dentist before age one, or at the time of their first tooth eruption. If a child visits a dentist before age one, their dental costs are 40 percent lower in the first five years than those who do not see a dentist until after their first birthday. By starting these habits when they are young, a child is more likely to care for their teeth as an adult and prevents the probability of dental caries. By establishing a relationship with their dentist when they are young, a child will see their dentist as someone they can trust throughout their life.

Myth 2: Dental caries (cavities) are not prevalent in children.

Out of all age groups, dental caries or decay is most common in young children. According to the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, 28 percent of preschoolers have dental caries. Compared to other age groups, children aged two to five are the only age group that has seen an increase in dental caries. This could be due to several factors—such as exposure to cavity-causing bacteria from a parent or other caretaker, snacking too often during the day or using a bottle for long periods of time. A change in lifestyle will significantly lower your child’s risk of dental caries and improve their overall health.

Myth 3: The amount of toothpaste used doesn’t matter.

Depending on the age of your child, the amount of toothpaste or fluoride is crucial. You want to make sure to give your child enough, but too much can be just as dangerous. You should know if your local water supply is fluoridated. First of all, before your child’s teeth have erupted, it is recommended that you use a soft, damp cloth to wipe their teeth after feedings to clean them. For children whose first tooth has erupted, a smear of fluoride or toothpaste will suffice. If your child is between the ages of two and six, a pea-size of fluoride or toothpaste is the most effective to prevent caries. If you are having difficulty brushing your child’s teeth, make a fun activity out of it! Get a colorful toothbrush with their favorite character on it or give them a fun toy to play with while you brush your teeth. The more frequently you brush their teeth, the easier (and more fun!) it will be as they get older.

Myth 4: Your child’s diet and dental health are not related.

Your child’s diet and dental health could not be more related! Everything that you eat and drink makes its way through your teeth before getting into your system. It is important to limit the amount of sugars, fats and processed food you have in your child’s diet to decrease their susceptibility to dental caries. When foods high in sugar are consumed, the sugar sits on your teeth and feeds the bacteria that decays your tooth enamel, creating a cavity. Dental caries is common, but there are ways you can change your diet. By doing this, you are not only decreasing your chance of dental caries, but you are also creating a healthy life for your child.

Myth 5: Bottled water is better for your child’s teeth than tap water.

If your child is primarily drinking bottled water, consider switching it up with tap water also. Tap water may have additional minerals, like fluoride, that assist with the prevention of dental caries. Many bottled water and water filtering systems remove these minerals from your tap water, so having a variety of both in a child’s diet is most desirable. Having the extra minerals in a child’s diet will not harm them.

There are many helpful resources to assist you with your child’s dental journey. Before they are even born there are many steps you can take as a caregiver to ensure your child has a healthy mouth. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to a Dental Health Services’ Member Services Specialist at 800-637-6453. We are your local, employee-owned source and we are always happy to help!

By Taylor Lunka

 

Dentist Examining Little Boys Teeth --- Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

Dentist Examining Little Boys Teeth — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

 

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2016 Toyota Highlander: A Top Safety Pick

The 2016 Toyota Highlander Limited PLT we tested proved to be a nimble, powerful, and practical vehicle that meets the needs of every day running around, while also providing a capable vehicle for touring the mountains, the snow, and even camping.

Its design is more rugged than previous generations, but it still is more of a car than a truck, such as the rugged 4-Runner. It proves to be a nice balance between the 4-Runner (the Highlander has more room) and the smaller RAV-4.

Our model came with the 3.5-liter V-6, with 270 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. It got us where we needed to, and quick. Toyota also offers a four-cylinder option, as well as a Hybrid. The all-wheel drive worked nicely in the Cascade Mountain snow.

Its interior is part-truck, part-car. It does have a truck feel, but the Teutonic-themed dash board, along with the dashboard’s lines and textures are pleasing to the eye.

Toyota Highlander: A Top Safety Pick

The 2016 Toyota Highlander has received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It’s in good company with the 2016 Honda Pilot and 2016 Nissan Murano, which are also mid-sized SUVs.

The Toyota Highlander also earned the award last year, but testing requirements have changed. To earn the Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must score a “Good” rating in all five of the IIHS crash tests.

Toyota made structural modifications to change performance, and meet the IIHS’ higher thresholds. During testing, the dummy hit the front airbag. Last year, the head slid off the airbag during testing.

It should be noted that the 2016 Toyota Highlander also scored an Advanced score in optional front crash prevention technology.

What we like:

  • Styling (Exterior and Interior)
  • Storage capacity
  • Second-row room
  • Overall vehicle quality and refinement

Dislikes:

  • Third row is cramped

Features:

  • 270 horsepower, 3.5L DOHC V-6 engine with dual VVT-I
  • 6-speed automatic transmission, 5,000 lb. towing capacity
  • 19″ chromatic wheels
  • Platinum package (Driver technology packaged, heated second row seats, leather second-row captain’s chairs, rain sensing windshield wipers)

Price as tested: $44,490 (MSRP). Fuel economy is 24 MPG highway/18 city.

To learn more, go to www.Toyota.com

Toyota Highlander

Interior of the Toyota Highlander Limited PLT. Photo by Toyota.

 

Toyota Highlander

We took the Highlander into the snow, and it handled very well.

 

Toyota Highlander

The 2016 Toyota Highlander Limited PLT AWD we tested made its way through the snow in the Cascades and around the Columbia Gorge.

 

Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander has plenty of room for gear.

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Columbia River Gorge Highway Turns 100

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OR/WA – America’s first scenic highway, the Historic Columbia River Highway, turns 100 in 2016.

In celebration, ‘a surprise around every corner’ is being promised by Oregon and Washington communities throughout the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, with events and exhibits planned for the public.

Exhibits are now underway at both ends of the Historic Highway, including the “King of Roads” exhibit at Troutdale Historic Society, featuring photographs and stories of the people who made the building of the highway possible and “Sam Hill and the Columbia River Highway” at Maryhill Museum of Art, an exhibition of black and white prints showing both construction photos of the highway and early scenic views of the Columbia River Gorge, among many other programs planned at of the former home of the Historic Highway’s visionary, Samuel Hill, now Maryhill Museum of Art.

At the Oregon State Library in Salem through December, “A Poem in Stone – Celebrating the Historic Columbia River Highway,” collections tell the story of transportation through the Columbia River Gorge, focusing on the construction, early history and restoration of the Columbia River Highway. Includes books and reports on the Highway, early travel brochures, photographs, postcards and maps. (Oregon State Library, Second Floor, 250 Winter Street NE, Salem, OR).

30+ Columbia Gorge Highway Centennial Events

Communities along the scenic highway have planned more than 30 events to celebrate this anniversary

April 22-24: 37th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival

Head to The Dalles for the Gorge Highway 37th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival. A longtime favorite among locals and visitors alike, the festival is set in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge and showcases The Dalles’ deep agricultural heritage and Western roots. The Best Ever Cherry Festival in 2015 expanded to three days of family-friendly activities and events, and 2016 is going to be even better! The Northwest Cherry Festival takes place in downtown The Dalles from Friday, April 22 through Sunday, April 24, 2016. The fun begins with a Dance Party on Friday  April 22nd at 7pm, and continues with the Gorge’s biggest parade, classic car and tractor shows, a 10k race, and lots of great local music and bands. There’s also cherry sampling with the Oregon Cherry Growers, pony rides, and Davis Show’s Carnival. Be sure to see the Festival culminate with the crowning of Festival King Bing and Queen Anne! The Dalles Has Much More to Offer Though the festival alone could keep you busy. Voted one of the “Top Ten True Western Towns of 2014” and one of “The 19 Most Beautiful Small Towns In America,” The Dalles is one of Oregon’s great escapes, just beginning to be discovered. This historic town sits at the eastern entrance of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just 75 miles east of Portland. With 300 days of sun a year and fantastic recreational and cultural opportunities, it’s a wonderland for cyclists, hikers, river rafters, wildflower fanatics, fishers, art lovers, history buffs and wine aficionados. Look for other events taking place in The Dalles all week long!

 

Gorge Highway

This map shows key points along the Columbia River Gorge Highway.

 

May 7: Poetry Workshop: Inspired by Roads

Participants will create poems based on this majestic byway using historic photographs as inspiration. The event will be hosted by poet Tim Barnes from 1-4 p.m. at Maryhill Museum of Art; free, registration required 509-773-3733.

June 7: Pictorial Postmarks

The Bridal Veil Post Office will establish a temporary philatelic station and offer two Pictorial Postmarks commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Columbia River Highway at Multnomah Falls from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Mail-in requests for postmarking will be offered by the Bridal Veil, OR Post Office (Postmaster/ 1W Mill Road/ Bridal Veil, OR 97010-9998) until August 12. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is selling a Priority Mail Express stamp, available in panes of 10, celebrating the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge.

June 11: Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM) Action Day

The WAAAM Air & Auto Museum has one of the largest collections of still-flying antique aeroplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country.  The items on display at this museum are not only full of history, they’re full of LIFE!

At WAAAM you will enjoy an extensive collection of antique aircraft including the 1917 Curtiss JN-4D Jenny featuring an OX-5 90 HP engine, our Piper Cub and WACO collections, Aeronca collection, Stearman collection and many more fun aircraft.

Don’t forget the cars.  There are over 130 cars in the collection at last count.  Whether you want to see the 1914 Detroit Electric, a Ford Model A or Model T, a Packard, a Studebaker or even a Locomobile, you are sure to find your favorite. 

We’ll update this list as dates move closer to the actual events.

About the Historic Columbia River Highway & State Trail (Historic Route 30) Centennial Celebration

The Columbia River Highway, hailed “America’s great highway,” was officially dedicated on June 7, 1916 with a dazzling affair that drew the attention of the nation and the world. Constructed between 1913 and 1922, America’s first scenic highway served thousands of travelers and took full advantage of the Columbia River Gorge’s natural beauty including its waterfalls and amazing vistas, to become known as the “King of Roads.” The Historic Columbia River Highway is still known for its attention to design details resulting in an iconic style and innovative construction techniques such as rock walls, bridges and notable structures such as Vista House and Multnomah Falls Lodge.

By the early 1950s, the construction of a faster, straighter, water-level route through the Gorge (which would become Interstate 84) obliterated many sections of the Highway, leaving what remained abandoned and disconnected. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act of 1986 directed the State of Oregon to connect these abandoned highway sections as a pedestrian and bike trail. This new rendition of America’s First Scenic Highway would be known as the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.

The Historic Columbia River Highway 2016 Celebration Committee, made up of citizens and organizations from throughout the Gorge are working together to ensure that the celebration properly honors this national historic landmark. For more information on the Highway and the 100th anniversary celebration, visit: www.historichighway.org.

Gorge Highway

The Columbia River Gorge Highway celebrates its 100th anniversary.

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Acadia Bistro to Offer Cheap Eats on Tax Day

Portland, Ore. – To ease the pain that the Tax Man brings every April 15th, Acadia Bistro chef/owner Seamus Foran will be offering his “Cheap Eats” menu on Friday, April 15th and Saturday, April 16th. Normally a part of the Monday night menu, the Cheap Eats entrées are $12 each and consist of:

  • Cornmeal-Fried Louisiana Catfish with black eyed pea stew and jicama-salsify slaw
  • Cajun Jambalaya with smoked chicken, andouille sausage, house-made Tasso and smoked tomato relish
  • Louisiana White Shrimp Creole with black kale, button mushrooms, spinach and English peas
  • Slow Simmered Red Beans & Rice with choice of house andouille sausage –OR–smoked chicken Cup of Red Beans and Rice, Cup of Gumbo and a Cup of Jambalaya

All entrees can be made into a 3-course dinner with a house salad and bread pudding for $25.  The regular a la carte dinner menu will also be available.  Whether guests in a mood to drown financial sorrows or spend their refund on an extra round, bar director Charles Campos will complement the fare with some new spring cocktails such as “Suzy Q,” a gin-based concoction spiked with the sweet-tartness of rhubarb marmalade.

Dinner service is from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. and reservations are recommended.  Call (503) 249-5001 to reserve seats.

 

Bistro

 

About Acadia Bistro

Located in the Sabin/Irvington neighborhood of Portland, Acadia has been serving modern American cuisine rooted in Louisiana food traditions since 2001.  The restaurant uses locally-grown fruits, vegetables and meats, as well as exclusively wild caught seafood from the Gulf coast and Pacific Northwest.  The restaurant is located at 1303 NE Fremont St. in Portland.  For reservations, please call 503-249-5001.  www.acadiapdx.com.

 

Bistro

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Dog Mountain Trail: An Aggressive Hike

Dog Mountain Trail, which begins right off Highway 14 in the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area, is an aggressive hike that is used by many to help with conditioning for runs or longer hikes.

“It took us three hours to do it,” said Steve Hoskisson, of Camas, who hiked the trail recently with his son, Logan. “It doesn’t look hard until you’re in there a bit. We enjoyed it, though.”

Start point: Dog Mountain Trailhead

  • End point: Dog Mountain
  • Trail Log: Trail Log
  • Hike type: Loop
  • Distance: 6.9 miles
  • Elevation gain: 2800 feet
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Seasons: Spring-Fall
  • Family Friendly: No
  • Back-packable: No
  • Crowded: Yes

This is a popular trail, and the trailhead is known to be crowded at peak seasons. You may want to save time and reserve a shuttle at Stevenson. The schedule is available here: http://www.skamaniacounty.org/TRANSPORTATION/WKND_TRNS.pdf

Hikers recommend taking Dog Mountain during the weekdays or early in the morning on weekends — to avoid crowds.

Dog Mountain Trail

Dog Mountain Trailhead

 

Dog Mountain is a popular hike because of its easy access to the Columbia Gorge, breathtaking views, and proximity to the Portland Metro area. But know that looks can be deceiving — the trails are very steep and will require conditioned and healthy hikers. Prime hiking time is Spring through Fall, offering stunning wildflower vistas through June, and beautiful Autumn foliage in October. The easiest part of the hike is the first 1.5 miles up to the lower viewpoint.

At the trailhead, hikers walk along Trail 147 for 0.7 miles to a junction, which then leads to the open forest floor in the lower portion of the trail. The trail offers two options — a more difficult and less difficult route. Hiker have had varying opinions on which is better. You decide what looks best for you.

The trail gets much steeper, and then you will see the summit meadows as you climb.  From here, two trails go to the top and create a loop. The main trail veers to the left, towards a meadow known for high Gorge winds. Plan for that.

In about 4/10 of a mile you will pass a signed junction. Continue up, on the right hand trail, which is the Summit Loop Trail. At the top of the meadow, follow a short spur trail to a fire ring and a great location for eating and resting.  You can return the same way, or continue southeast on the Summit Loop Trail, which meets the main trail at Puppy Dog Lookout.  From Puppy Dog Lookout, you can return to the trailhead.

You may also use Augspurger Trail.

Driving Directions to Dog Mountain

From Carson, drive approximately 9 miles east on State Route 14 to the trail-head, just beyond milepost 53. The parking area and trailhead are on the left (north) side of the highway.

 

Dog Mountain

View from the Summit meadows on Dog Mountain Trail.

 

Dog Mountain

The lower portion of the Dog Mountain Trail.

 

Dog Mountain

Map of the Dog Mountain Trail.

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Truly Scrumptious Visits Arktana

If you love shoes and candy, then Arktana is the place to be this Friday, March 24 from 11 am to 2 pm. The downtown Camas shoe store has invited the bakers at Truly Scrumptious to get us into the Easter holiday spirit with a fantastic array of treats and sweets to satisfy even the pickiest of sweets and baked goods fans.

Truly Scrumptious baker, Kimberly Koch, will be providing a nice selection of treats, such as the Oregon Krispy Treat “Robin Egg”, the Spring Rainbow Peep Krispy Treat, Peanut Butter Eggs, and Mallow pops, which are perfect for your little bunny’s basket. There will also be many great-tasting cookies.

“I’ll be at Arktana,” said Koch. “Come by and have a cup of coffee with me and get your Easter treats!”

 

Truly Scrumptious

Peanut Butter Eggs.

 

Truly Scrumptious

Oregon Krispy Treat “Robin Egg”.

 

Truly Scrumptious

Spring Rainbow Peeps Krispy Treat

 

Truly Scrumptious

Mallow Pops.

Mallow pops…perfect for your little bunny’s basket! Join Truly Scrumptious at Arktana on Friday, March 24 from 11 am to 2 pm.

 

How to find Arktana and Truly Scrumptious

Arktana is located at 415 NE 4th Ave, in downtown Camas.

Visit www.trulyscrumptiousnw.com to learn more about their treats.

 

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