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Why Mount Hood's McNeil Point is worth the climb

Big views, wildflowers and a challenging climb make this Mount Hood favorite worth the effort.

Things to Do

The McNeil Point trail packs misty forests, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildflowers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/27/gorge-wildflowers-peak-bloom-trails-spring" data-vars-content-id="1b75e7a6-ff52-451b-9380-e85fab552a82" data-vars-headline="Why Mount Hood&#x27;s McNeil Point is worth the climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/27/gorge-wildflowers-peak-bloom-trails-spring" target="_self">wildflowers</a> and one of the best close-up views of Mount Hood into one demanding, but rewarding, day hike.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="McNeil Point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/mcneil-point-trail" data-vars-content-id="1b75e7a6-ff52-451b-9380-e85fab552a82" data-vars-headline="Why Mount Hood&#x27;s McNeil Point is worth the climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/mcneil-point-trail" target="_blank">McNeil Point</a> is one of the most popular hikes on Mount Hood, and for good reason.

Oregon's roadless forests face new threat

Nearly 2 million protected acres could see new roads, logging and development.

Environment

The Trump administration moved this week to eliminate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening vast areas in Oregon to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2001 federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="c99147a2-2045-409a-9857-ea418403eda2" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s roadless forests face new threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">2001 federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

Demolition begins at fire-damaged Centennial Mills

Crews used controlled explosives to bring down the blighted landmark's rooftop water tower.

News

<figure><img alt="Gif of a building explosion" height="720" id="fb467b70-c0f5-4ef2-95d0-81afd0905fcb" src="https://images.axios.com/7Wuavs0ugxPhRm21QGW6skiDiFo=/0x0:1280x720/2026/08/17/1787006044676.gif" width="1280"/><figcaption>Big boom. Image: Kale Williams/Axios</figcaption></figure>Demolition of the fire-ravaged <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centennial Mills building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/10/centennial-mills-collapse-risk-freight-trains" data-vars-content-id="b2f79ebd-c578-44dd-9aef-72c20400a56b" data-vars-headline="Demolition begins at fire-damaged Centennial Mills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/08/10/centennial-mills-collapse-risk-freight-trains" target="_self">Centennial Mills building</a> began Monday, starting with four controlled explosions to bring down the building&#x27;s rooftop water tower.State of play: Ever since a blaze gutted the blighted 116-year-old Northwest Portland landmark earlier this month, nearby residents and property owners have been on their toes as city officials warn the unstable structure is at risk of collapse.

Thorns to honor Tobin Heath as club icon retires

The Thorns legend will be honored before Friday's match at Providence Park.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thorns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/19/thorns-home-opener-new-coach-roster-questions" data-vars-content-id="92ba2cf4-35e1-4ce5-997f-411f67f848fa" data-vars-headline="Thorns to honor Tobin Heath as club icon retires" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/19/thorns-home-opener-new-coach-roster-questions" target="_self">Thorns</a> will honor an icon Friday with a pre-match ceremony to mark the retirement of Tobin Heath, one of the club&#x27;s most impactful players.The big picture: Heath helped Portland win two NWSL championships and was a key part of the U.S. Women&#x27;s National Team during one of its most successful stretches.

Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming

Expect cicchetti, handmade pasta and plenty of Pacific Northwest ingredients.

Food and Drink

Michael Mina has spent decades building a restaurant empire from San Francisco to Dubai. This fall, he&#x27;s setting his sights much closer to home and opening his first Portland venture.The big picture: With <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bar Sprezzatura" data-vars-click-url="https://www.barsprezzatura.com/locations/portland" data-vars-content-id="0559853e-b7f0-440a-8c9b-8e9c238f9bbc" data-vars-headline="Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.barsprezzatura.com/locations/portland" target="_blank">Bar Sprezzatura</a>, the James Beard Award-winning, Ellensburg, Washington-raised chef will bring one of the country&#x27;s better-known restaurant groups to the city at a moment when downtown is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doubling down on its" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/02/sushi-fukami-omakase-opening" data-vars-content-id="0559853e-b7f0-440a-8c9b-8e9c238f9bbc" data-vars-headline="Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/02/sushi-fukami-omakase-opening" target="_self">doubling down on its</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="culinary cachet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/30/brian-malarkey-steakhouse-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="0559853e-b7f0-440a-8c9b-8e9c238f9bbc" data-vars-headline="Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/07/30/brian-malarkey-steakhouse-restaurant" target="_self">culinary cachet</a>.

How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty

Its programs now reach low-income homes, schools and 14 Oregon prisons.

For more than three decades, a Portland-based nonprofit has planted thousands of gardens in low-income neighborhoods, schools and prisons across the state to reduce food insecurity.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising grocery costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/16/grocery-prices-west-rise-december-2025" data-vars-content-id="46a5f4f2-dd6f-4ffa-ac4c-a5c67c99e93b" data-vars-headline="How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/16/grocery-prices-west-rise-december-2025" target="_self">rising grocery costs</a> strain budgets and federal cuts <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="limit food assistance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/03/nx-s1-5906797/snap-food-stamp-federal-changes-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="46a5f4f2-dd6f-4ffa-ac4c-a5c67c99e93b" data-vars-headline="How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/03/nx-s1-5906797/snap-food-stamp-federal-changes-what-to-know" target="_blank">limit food assistance</a> for more families, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Growing Gardens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.growing-gardens.org/" data-vars-content-id="46a5f4f2-dd6f-4ffa-ac4c-a5c67c99e93b" data-vars-headline="How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.growing-gardens.org/" target="_blank">Growing Gardens</a>&#x27; mission isn&#x27;t about providing meals, but giving people the skills and support to produce their own.

Farag's makes summer taste better

The seasonal patio pop-up serves standout Egyptian-inspired plates.

The best things in life don&#x27;t stick around for long, and right now Farag&#x27;s is one of the best things in Portland.The vibe: The summertime pop-up, located in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Güero" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/15/restaurant-review-guero-mexican-tortas" data-vars-content-id="9471b171-d990-40d3-9fbc-43611bc62840" data-vars-headline="Farag&#x27;s makes summer taste better" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/15/restaurant-review-guero-mexican-tortas" target="_self">Güero</a>&#x27;s back patio, is now in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its third year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/11/farag-s-patio-pop-up-portland-summer-favorite-returns" data-vars-content-id="9471b171-d990-40d3-9fbc-43611bc62840" data-vars-headline="Farag&#x27;s makes summer taste better" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/11/farag-s-patio-pop-up-portland-summer-favorite-returns" target="_self">its third year</a> and is known for Egyptian-inspired small plates, spirits and wine.

Inside Brian Malarkey's playful Portland debut

His colorful steakhouse pairs Portland nostalgia with serious seafood and steaks.

Hometown celebrity chef Brian Malarkey&#x27;s name is on the front door of his new Pearl District <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="2f387ba6-f588-436d-9d92-360672868f38" data-vars-headline="Inside Brian Malarkey&#x27;s playful Portland debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" target="_self">restaurant</a>, but it&#x27;s less about his family or legacy and more about its &quot;cartoonist nature.&quot;<ul><li>Step inside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Malarkey" data-vars-click-url="https://themalarkeypdx.com/" data-vars-content-id="2f387ba6-f588-436d-9d92-360672868f38" data-vars-headline="Inside Brian Malarkey&#x27;s playful Portland debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://themalarkeypdx.com/" target="_blank">The Malarkey</a>, which opens Friday, and you can see why.</li></ul>

Scoop: New food cart pod planned near Peninsula Park

The project would bring seven carts, coffee shop and an indoor bar to Piedmont.

A new food cart pod with an indoor bar, coffee shop and space for seven carts is in the works across the street from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Peninsula Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/16/roses-start-to-bloom-at-portland-s-peninsula-park" data-vars-content-id="a5793fee-a0fc-41fb-aeba-b55ac24ca783" data-vars-headline="Scoop: New food cart pod planned near Peninsula Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/16/roses-start-to-bloom-at-portland-s-peninsula-park" target="_self">Peninsula Park</a>.The big picture: The project aims to turn an underused corner into a neighborhood gathering place steps away from one of the city&#x27;s most popular parks.

On menus: Portland can't get enough budino

The centuries-old Italian custard is finding new fans across the city.

What is it about a centuries-old Italian pudding that speaks to this current moment? Budino — a rich, chilled custard — isn&#x27;t particularly Instagram-worthy, but it&#x27;s a dessert that&#x27;s seemingly on every menu right now.Catch up quick: Budino wasn&#x27;t always a dessert. The word once referred to blood sausage or minced meat before Italians began using it for what we know it as today.

A Polish family recipe powers Portland's newest pop-up

Kuzyn's handmade pierogi are selling out.

Three cousins have turned a century-old family recipe into one of Portland&#x27;s newest pop-ups this summer. <ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kuzyn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/kuzynpdx/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="5b3f0765-bf27-4613-8ae8-ded84161c18e" data-vars-headline="A Polish family recipe powers Portland&#x27;s newest pop-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/kuzynpdx/?hl=en" target="_blank">Kuzyn</a> serves handmade Polish pierogi inspired by the meals they ate growing up together. </li></ul>The big picture: Kyle Broughton, Dan Skuret and Griffin Bariluk launched Kuzyn earlier this year after realizing Portland lacked options for the traditional Eastern European dish.

Nimblefish chef to open Sushi Fukami downtown

With only eight seats and 23 courses, reservations are sure to fill up fast.

Chef Cody Auger, the force behind Portland&#x27;s much-celebrated Nimblefish, is bringing a more intimate vision downtown with Sushi Fukami, an eight-seat omakase restaurant opening next month.The big picture: After a decade of building Nimblefish into one of the city&#x27;s most acclaimed sushi counters, Auger told Axios the new project is his chance to focus on a style of preparation rooted in traditional Japanese Edomae cuisine — meticulously cured seasonally driven bites.

Scotch Lodge, Nodoguro win James Beard honors

Two local standouts added major honors to Portland's food scene.

Portland restaurants and bars had a strong showing at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/31/james-beard-finalists-portland-chefs-restaurants-2026" data-vars-content-id="579123b5-c99a-476c-bb83-42699805b6df" data-vars-headline="Scotch Lodge, Nodoguro win James Beard honors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/31/james-beard-finalists-portland-chefs-restaurants-2026" target="_self">James Beard Awards</a> in Chicago Monday, bringing home two of the culinary world&#x27;s most prestigious honors. Why it matters: Portland has been on a hot streak over the last few years, picking up big wins in heavy-hitter categories and cementing us as an innovative food city.

Kann continues to live up to the hype

From griyo to kowosól, the menu remains impressive.

Nearly three years after the much-buzzed-about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kann" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/19/andrea-damewood-best-restaurants-kaede-cafe-olli-kann" data-vars-content-id="752c8120-6f92-4034-bb29-f9eb9f483f39" data-vars-headline="Kann continues to live up to the hype" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/19/andrea-damewood-best-restaurants-kaede-cafe-olli-kann" target="_self">Kann</a> opened in Southeast Portland, chef Gregory Gourdet&#x27;s ode to his Haitian lineage continues to impress.Best bites: It&#x27;s hard to go wrong anywhere on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="menu" data-vars-click-url="https://kannrestaurant.com/menu" data-vars-content-id="752c8120-6f92-4034-bb29-f9eb9f483f39" data-vars-headline="Kann continues to live up to the hype" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kannrestaurant.com/menu" target="_blank">menu</a> — the whole kitchen is gluten- and dairy-free — and I&#x27;ve yet to be disappointed by a dish there.

Food and Drink 🍽

Michael Mina makes his Pacific Northwest homecoming

How Growing Gardens is planting food sovereignty

Why Portland deserves the James Beard Awards

Pizza and wine taste better in Nostrana's garden

North Portland's Blend Coffee closes after 10 years