Mt. Tabor is a scenic city park located three miles west of my apartment (20-minute bike ride). It is the perfect place to get away from the urban environment without really leaving it at all. Built atop an old volcanic cinder cone, Mt. Tabor is beloved by runners, walkers, and cyclists. Paved roads, staircases and trails form a network of pathways throughout the park, weaving through a forest of tall firs and wide open meadows.
Finding your way to the top is as easy as wandering uphill, but there are three official hiking loops. The three-mile Blue Trail loop offers a comprehensive tour of the area. The trail takes you around all three reservoirs, which until recently held some of the drinking water supply for Portland.
The summit offers great views of downtown Portland to the west and Mt. Hood to the northeast. The summit is also home to a towering statue of northwest pioneer and The Oregonian editor, Harvey W. Scott.
On the way down, I snagged a view of Mt. St. Helens through the trees.
In the social arena, I joined the Vegan Drinks community at Vtopia and added the brewery down the street to my list: Coalition Brewing (#3).
