Powell Butte

Mt. Hood, still very snowy.

We went rambling with friends at Powell Butte Nature Park recently.  The Portland Water Bureau is doing some major work there for the rest of the year, but we were able to park in the main lot and discover this beautiful place.  There are woods to wander in, ponds to search for tadpoles in, and dramatic views at the top.  Powell Butte is the cinder cone of a very extinct volcano, but on an especially clear day, five not-so-extinct volcanoes can be seen.  There is a "Mountain Finder" somewhere at the top, but we didn't find it!  The kids were far too busy exploring to mind. 

A salamander larva.

Mt. St. Helens.