Sometimes the best part of being on trail is when you get to escape the trail for a brief moment to enjoy luxuries like beer and delicious, non-freeze-dried treats that were prepared in a real kitchen. Even when you're just on a long day hike, having a hot lunch and a beer in a pint glass feels like a special treat, especially on a gray December afternoon. That's why I feel so #blessed that anytime I want I can head over to Forest Park and hike up to the Skyline Tavern, my favorite bar in the city. Established in 1923, the Skyline Tavern has been a favorite watering hole for locals for almost 100 years. The bar was taken over in 2015 by environmentalist filmmaker Scott Ray Becker, who devotes the tavern's profits to supporting The Black Dog Ensemble, which explores environmental issues through the arts. The bar hosts regular events, including Boldly Went storytelling nights, fundraisers for organizations including Signal Fire, and lots of local music. They even host regular group hikes and trail runs that end back at the tavern where a free beer awaits you. What the bar may be most famous for, though, is the stunning view of the Tualatin Valley and the Coast Range from the back of the bar. In the summer, the bar and backyard beer garden are packed with hikers, cyclists, and trail runners. It's an amazing place to spend a few hours with a group of friends, especially if you plan ahead and make a reservation for the community grill. For groups of up to 9 people, it's free to reserve. The tavern provides the charcoal, you provide the food, and it's really a great way to spend an evening.
When I'm hiking to the tavern, I'll generally park my car at the Tolinda Trailhead in Forest Park and work my way up from there. The Waterline Trail is your ultimate destination - this short side trail will spit you out directly across Skyline Blvd from the tavern. It's easy to design a lot of different hikes that all incorporate a stop at the Skyline--and very well worth it!
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AboutPeak Provisions is a website dedicated to eating well in the backcountry. Archives
December 2018
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