Great Trails

34 amazing places to hike, bike, and explore from Hood to the coast—and beyond. We’ve captured all manner of Northwest splendor in our compendium of hiking and biking excursions: crazy views, cascading waterfalls, alpine lakes, endless wildflower meadows. And, of course, post-hike watering holes.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

SPOTLIGHT

Portland's Colorful Mural Festival Is Changing the Face of the City

Local and international artists take to the streets for the annual Forest for the Trees festival with 15 new murals.

07/20/2015 By Fiona McCann Photography by Michael Novak

BIG PICTURE

Seeing Familiar Faces in Headlights and Grills of Classic Cars

A local photographer captures the spirit of the automobile for America's Car Museum.

07/20/2015 Photography by William Anthony

MUSIC

Folk Star Laura Gibson Scores PHAME's Next Musical

The nonprofit celebrating actors with developmental disabilities gets some fresh tunes for their next production, Up the Fall.

07/20/2015 By Ramona DeNies

DISPATCH

How the Oregon Dunes Inspired Sci-Fi Classic 'Dune'

50 years ago, Frank Herbert's cult-classic novel got its start along the Oregon coast.

07/20/2015 By Peter Holmstrom

THE ESSENTIALS

August's Pop Culture Hot List

The show, the book, and the TV show that you can’t miss this month.

07/20/2015

Eat & Drink

WORD OF MOUTH

5 Things You Must Eat in Portland this August

Portland Monthly food critic Karen Brooks dishes on the restaurants, obsessions, and under-the-radar finds of the month.

07/20/2015 By Karen Brooks

RECIPE

4 Frozen Fruit Popsicles to Help You Beat the Heat

A Northwest take on Mexican paletas keeps your picnic super cool.

07/20/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

RESTAURANT REVIEW

From Russia, With Love

A James Beard chef finds the lost cooking of his childhood—and creates one of the year's most dynamic dining experiences.

07/20/2015 By Karen Brooks

HIGH SPIRITS

Biwa's Perfect Summer Drink Is Powered by Shochu

Mix it up this summer with chuhais, Japanese shochu cocktails.

07/20/2015 By Kelly Clarke

HIT LIST

Dipping into Portland's Best Guacamole

A blind tasting of two dozen avocado dips reveals that the city's best guacs are all about the details.

07/20/2015 By Allison Jones

Editor's Note

EDITORS' NOTE

Why Portland Monthly Staffers Drove Over 3000 Miles this Month

...all in the pursuit of the ultimate Northwest trails.

07/20/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

Home & Real Estate

HOME DESIGN

Embracing Simplicity in 800 Square Feet

Living large with an unfettered, small-house design in Southeast Portland

07/20/2015 By Amara Holstein

News & City Life

REPORT

Are Lab-Grown Teeth the Key to Dentistry's Future?

With skull scans and DNA checkups, OHSU's dentistry school is making us say "awe."

07/20/2015 By Ramona DeNies

MOVERS & SHAKERS

The Perfect Party: August 2015

A made-up mash-up of the month’s most fascinating people, from a superhuman mountainclimber to a long-lost put bull.

07/20/2015

ENVIRONMENT

Inside the Oregon Nonprofit Preserving the World's Best Apples

The Temperate Orchard Conservancy is fighting real estate woes—and the clock—to save 4,000 varieties of the Northwest's major crop.

07/20/2015 By Jonathan Frochtzwajg

5 THINGS ABOUT

Charting the Unlikely Rise of Oregon Football

Recruiting secrets, failed mascots, and infamous games of the UO Ducks.

07/20/2015 By Marty Patail

VOX POPULI

What Portland Would Look Like as an Independent Country

We asked our readers to vote on how our city would operate as a sovereign nation. Here's what we found (all hail the barter economy!)

07/20/2015 Edited by Marty Patail

PROFILE

Ursula K. Le Guin Is Breathing Fire to Save American Literature

At 85, she may be Portland’s greatest writer. She may also be the fiercest.

07/20/2015 By Taylor Clark

Style & Shopping

STYLE SPOTLIGHT

Six New Shops, Salons, and Studios that Lovers of Good Design Need to Know Now

With new boutiques popping up all over the city, we give you a few new favorites to add to your repertoire.

08/03/2015 By Eden Dawn

STYLE PROFILE

Vivian McInerny: Portland’s Fashion Ambassador

The Oregonian’s pioneering fashion editor on the story behind our clothes, dressing to her mood, and spotting Beyoncé before Beyoncé was Beyoncé.

07/20/2015 By Eden Dawn

WINNING FINDS

Trophy Case: The Best Local Stuff of August 2015

This month’s hottest locally made goods, from Thai-style charcoal to summery caftans

07/20/2015

Travel & Outdoors

HAPPY TRAILS

A Field Guide to the Best Hiking and Biking Trails in Oregon

34 amazing places to hike, bike, and explore from Hood to the coast—and beyond.

07/21/2015 Edited by Rachel Ritchie

HAPPY TRAILS

Hiking and Biking Along the Oregon Coast

From epic views and Hobbit trails to boardwalk biking and strolls through quaint seaside towns, the coast is calling.

07/20/2015 By Allison Jones

HAPPY TRAILS

Hiking and Biking the Columbia River Gorge

Bike abandoned rail lines, hike to swimming holes, and seek out secret waterfalls.

07/20/2015 By Zach Dundas

PDX INDEX

The Great Debate Over Mountain Biking in Forest Park

Does Portland hate mountain bikers?

07/20/2015 By Rachel Sandstrom

RAINMAKER

How the Clymb is Changing the Rugged Outdoor Gear Market

Portland's breakout online fitness and adventure retailer offers top gear at huge discounts.

07/20/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

HAPPY TRAILS

Hiking and Biking in the Portland Metro Area

No time for a weekend away? Explore the adventures in your own backyard.

07/20/2015 By Margaret Seiler and Ramona DeNies

HAPPY TRAILS

Hiking and Biking in Mt Hood Territory

Picture-perfect meadows, ripe huckleberries, alpine lakes, and the country’s longest network of mountain-bike-specific trails on federal land await your muddy boots.

07/20/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

HAPPY TRAILS

An Oregonian's Guide to Hiking and Biking in Washington

Don't let a state border keep you from tackling some of the best trails around.

07/20/2015 By Rachel Ritchie

HAPPY TRAILS

Hiking and Biking in the Willamette Valley

Wine isn't the only reason to head to the valley, where you'll also find old-growth firs, misty swimming holes, and volcanic switchbacks with killer views.

07/20/2015 By Tuck Woodstock

HAPPY TRAILS

Hiking and Biking in Central Oregon

Ancient lava tubes, bright wildflowers, and crystal-blue rivers are just a few hours away.

07/20/2015 By Eden Dawn