Ski Day
To heck with an Indian Summer. Timberline announced this week that winter starts now. Thanks to an onslaught of late spring storms (and a fair bit of meticulous summer grooming) there’s still snow in them thar hills! And today, the Magic Mile and Palmer Chairs will once again start cranking each weekend through October. Last year’s Full Winter Passes and Fusion Passes are welcomed. As are snow dances. And if you’re in the market for a new Fusion Pass, (good at T-Line and Ski Bowl), swing by REI, where you’ll find them on sale this weekend.

Gear Swap
Patagoniaics unite! Portland’s Patagonia store will be hosting its inaugural gear swap on Saturday morning. Boats, boards, backpacks—there’s no telling what will pop up, but you can be assured that the best deals go quick. So set your alarm. The event runs from 10-2 and will take place in the parking lot for the Ecotrust building.

Smith and Bybee Wetlands
On Saturday morning, Metro is offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the restoration effort out at Smith and Bybee Wetlands. Two 40-minute tours will trace the process of transforming the north Portland park, which sits on the former St Johns Landfill, into one of the city’s richest wildlife habitats, home to river otter, osprey, bald eagles, and what is thought to be one of the state’s largest remaining populations of Western painted turtles.

Trail Building
This weekend Northwest Trail Alliance is welcoming members of the Subaru-IMBA trail crew into town. The preeminent trail-building group will be conducting a clinic with NWTA out a L.L. Stub Stewart State Park on, among other things, sustainable trail design, trail reclamation, and how best to energize volunteer clubs and bolster partnerships between user groups. So it’s an excellent time to stop by and get acquainted with the park’s 20-miles (and counting) worth of bike trails. As an added bonus, drop by the Mission Theater on Sunday night for a screening of Ride the Divide, a documentary which chronicles riders who tackle a 2700-mile unsupported mountain bike race from Canada to Mexico. Proceeds benefit Northwest Trail Alliance.
Check out the trailer here:

Ride The Divide Movie Trailer from Ride The Divide on Vimeo.

As a side note, Commissioner Nick Fish’s announcement that there will be no new expansion of mountain access in Forest Park, has definitely not escaped my attention. I’m gathering some thoughts on the issue and hope to provide a recap next week. Stay tuned.