Mini Itini No. 3: Holy Cannoli

A sweet Mini Itini for your weekend.

I ask a lot of ice breaker questions like: Do you know anyone with a vanity license plate? Have you ever shoplifted? What’s on your bucket list?

My answers are: 1) Yes, my friend’s mom has a plate that says BABS as in Barbara 2) No, unless you count ringing up organic vegetables as conventional at self checkout and 3) Before I die I need to see Pitbull live in Las Vegas.

Lately, at parties I’ve asked “Is [Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, etc.] a Tier 1 city"? Portland most certainly is not. We don’t have the culture, the size, or the money. The Ritz Carlton can’t even hang. But what we do have is livability, a strong community, and a food reputation that exceeds our city’s size.

Today’s Mini-Itini shows off two places locals love that showcase why Portland may not be a Tier 1 city, but it certainly is THE BEST. First, an often overlooked hike just 25 minutes from downtown; then, an under-the-radar bakery that makes some of the best sandwiches and pastries (including cannolis!) around.

Like all Mini-Itinis, the recommended activities are designed to be paired together, but I include alternatives if you’d like to switch things up.

Enjoy!

Stop #1: Powell Butte

---

In a sentence: The Forest Park of the Eastside.

Recommended Route: a 3.6-mile loop

Dogs: Yes, allowed on leash.

---

If you take Powell Boulevard all the way east, you’ll eventually run in to Powell Butte: A 611-acre trail system complete with hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. It sits atop an underground reservoir, which supplies a large chunk of Portlanders with their drinking water.

Above ground, Powell Butte is split between forested windy trails and wide open meadows. On a clear day you can see ten different mountains and buttes, including Mount Saint Helens and Mount Hood.

Because Powell Butte is so big, there are several entrances. As a first-timer, I would start at the main entrance. You’ll enter through 162nd and make your way up the hill to the parking lot. The hike will then weave through tall grasses and a walnut orchard before dropping you in a golden meadow that looks and feels like The Dalles or Hood River. You can then choose to pop into the forest via one of the off-shoot trails or continue walking around the top of the butte.

As you’re walking, here’s a conversation starter for you and your walking partner: Powell Butte has been at the center of several controversies. The caretaker home and small visitor center on the property cost tax payers around $1M to build and the entire reservoir was developed in response to suspicions of cryptosporidium in other city reservoirs like Mt. Tabor (a danger that was reportedly far overstated). Some argue that this unnecessarily increased water rates. Others argue it was a necessary move. The home? You can decide for yourself. It’s located right next to the main parking lot. I personally think it’s fine to use high-quality materials and build something that doesn’t look like a portable.

Controversy aside, Powell Butte should be a part of any Portlander’s hiking rotation. And paired with a visit to the next stop on this Mini Itini…

Other routes to try:

• A 3.7-mile forested loop with more elevation

• A 5.3-mile option