areas to avoid in portland

[45-90]

The area to avoid is where the thick cloud cover is... known as "the valley" where all the people are.
The Cascade mountains to the east. Standing in the Cascades look west across the tops of the shorter mountains see across problematic area ..."the valley", and there is the Coast Range...then the Pacific.
Go past the Cascades and miles of high desert, then more mountains.

Wind storms & fires can be dangerous, trees fall down by the hundreds. You can be trapped, one road in, no help, no way out.
And it takes a team of chainsaws & heavy equipment to clear.

Relatively new Semi dormant volcanos, huge land slides, forest fires, a huge fault out in the Pacific past time for a huge earth quake, rattlesnakes in the lower elevations out in the desert... then worst of all, there's the control freak, commie politicians, down in "the valley".

Never go to Portland, it's worse than the movie "Escape From LA." A real shit hole.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

We call it "Lake No Negro's"

Lake Oswego is 0.8% black.

The state has a very low percentage of black residents, though. Only 2.2% of Oregon's population is black. The state constitution banned settlement by blacks to discourage free blacks from relocating there. Oregon banned slavery in 1843 to keep blacks in servitude from being located there. In 1844 they amended the law to provide some time for slaveholders to remove their property under penalty of manumission should they fail to do so. Once freed, they could not remain. Males had two years to leave, and females had three (guess here, but that was so the man could find a place to settle and then send for his wife).

Oddly, all of this was more of a threat than reality, but the law effectively discouraged free blacks from settling there. I have found only one black farmer who moved over the Columbia River voluntarily to avoid the law (see link below). There were so few blacks in the state (128) that their white farmer neighbors took up for them, and the law basically was not enforced.

Oregon was the only state admitted to the union with an exclusion clause. Oregon removed it in 1926.

Although the exclusion laws were not generally enforced, they had their intended effect of discouraging Black people from settling in Oregon. The 1860 census for Oregon, for example, reported 128 African Americans in a total population of 52,465. In 2013, only 2 percent of the Oregon population were Black people.

Black Exclusion Laws in Oregon

Oregon's racial makeup has been shaped by three Black exclusion laws that were in place during much of the region's early history. These laws, all later rescin…

www.oregonencyclopedia.org

The low percentage is an artifact of history and the fact Oregon has never had a robust economic growth period in industry that attracted a large population of blacks to emigrate for work, such as, for example, Detroit.

 

[dustingaunder]

You could stay up at Timberline for a couple nights on Mt Hood. I’d rather do that than be in Portland. I honestly can’t think of anything to recommend in Portland. Last ten years have really gone downhill in downtown. If you want to stay in town I’d stay around the SE side, Lake O, West Linn, Oregon City. Downtown OC is pretty cool. Rivershore hotel is right on the river with a good view in OC.

 

[DuneBoer]

Lake Oswego is 0.8% black.

The state has a very low percentage of black residents, though. Only 2.2% of Oregon's population is black. The state constitution banned settlement by blacks to discourage free blacks from relocating there. Oregon banned slavery in 1843 to keep blacks in servitude from being located there. In 1844 they amended the law to provide some time for slaveholders to remove their property under penalty of manumission should they fail to do so. Once freed, they could not remain. Males had two years to leave, and females had three (guess here, but that was so the man could find a place to settle and then send for his wife).

Oddly, all of this was more of a threat than reality, but the law effectively discouraged free blacks from settling there. I have found only one black farmer who moved over the Columbia River voluntarily to avoid the law (see link below). There were so few blacks in the state (128) that their white farmer neighbors took up for them, and the law basically was not enforced.

Oregon was the only state admitted to the union with an exclusion clause. Oregon removed it in 1926.

Black Exclusion Laws in Oregon

Oregon's racial makeup has been shaped by three Black exclusion laws that were in place during much of the region's early history. These laws, all later rescin…

www.oregonencyclopedia.org

The low percentage is an artifact of history and the fact Oregon has never had a robust economic growth period in industry that attracted a large population of blacks to emigrate for work, such as, for example, Detroit.

How long have lived in Lake Oswego? Did you hear they are going to have to open up access the lake to the public?

https://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/ne...cle_a03f1606-f87e-11ef-aa34-836c2d691f16.html

 

[corey4]

We're not actually going to portland to visit, just sleep. Once we check in we're outta there for the day then coming back later at night. Next morning, something, head on out til bed time.

 

[dustingaunder]

The McMenamins in Kalama is a cool place to stay and closer to St Helens. Or if you’re into casinos, Ilani has a really nice hotel and is closer to St Helens as well. If you’re doing other day things around Portland I still think Rivershore in OC would make a good home base for a couple days.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

How long have lived in Lake Oswego? Did you hear they are going to have to open up access the lake to the public?

https://www.lakeoswegoreview.com/ne...cle_a03f1606-f87e-11ef-aa34-836c2d691f16.html

I have never lived there, and no, I had not heard. Thanks for sharing the news article.

 

[TC.TURTLECREEK]

here is an example to which i referrred. i zoomed in to the area NW of Gunter.

 

[AmmoFort]

Tennessee doesn’t have any logging?

 

[corey4]

Tennessee doesn’t have any logging?

Probably not in patches like out west. The east has goofy ass property lines that can squiggle all over the place and the eastern hardwoods generally don't get clear like that, just select cut/thinning.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

here is an example to which i referrred. i zoomed in to the area NW of Gunter.

View attachment 8636046

View attachment 8636048

Oh, yeah, that is all just forested coastal mountains. I grew up just off the left edge at the top of the map on top, on the coast. Where it says Mapleton and then Siuslaw River Bridge. About twice the distance from Mapleton to Tiernan west is my hometown and the Pacific Ocean.

All of that area around Gunter is privately owned land. The Siuslaw National Forest is west of there and is much larger north of the Siuslaw River than south of it.

 

[ColinW]

The above pretty much describes the PNW. Good description @Malum Prohibitum

When we have friends visit the PNW, it's very common they say "you live here? Fucking gorgeous!"

Yes, minus the shitty politics and Portland/Seattle, it's truly an unreal place to visit/live.

Yeah, that's a fact. I really loved living on the Olympic peninsula when I got stationed at NBK Bangor back in '12-'14. It hooked my heart so badly.....I moved back on to the peninsula in '22 when I got out.

Seattle's a shit hole....Portland is even worse. But, damn....You drive 30 minutes east of Seattle or an hour (south and then) west.....The beauty of the Olympic mountains(or north & south cascades) and the edit* EVERGREEN trees really sucks you in. Having the hood canal as my office, sitting right under the Olympics was just awful, lemme tell ya. We'd be coming on quarterly training cycles and short for underway hours....So, we'd "get underway for training" zip up to Port Townsend, grab lunch downtown by the docks, and head back. It made for a really shitty place to work.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Pine trees?

Those are Douglas Fir trees, my friend. And Blue Spruce, and western Hemlock, and Cedar. There can be some coastal pine, depending upon where you are, but those trees are ugly and not really what you are seeing on the Olympic Peninsula.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

https://trailscholar.com/field-guide-to-oregons-coastal-conifers/

Curious about coastal conifers? Want to tell them apart? You are in the right place! This short guide will tell you all you need to know about the coniferous trees that inhabit Oregon’s Coast Range ecoregion. Learn some fun and interesting facts about each species, as well as key identification characteristics that will help you to tell them apart.

 

[ColinW]

Pine trees?

Those are Douglas Fir trees, my friend. And Blue Spruce, and western Hemlock, and Cedar. There can be some coastal pine, depending upon where you are, but those trees are ugly and not really what you are seeing on the Olympic Peninsula.

You're splitting hairs, dude. Evergreens, spruce, firs, madronas, maples, cedars....Whatever the specific tree type only matters to you.

I was being generic. My bad

 

[Im2bent]

Pine trees?

Those are Douglas Fir trees, my friend. And Blue Spruce, and western Hemlock, and Cedar. There can be some coastal pine, depending upon where you are, but those trees are ugly and not really what you are seeing on the Olympic Peninsula.

 

[corey4]

I used to own a tree service and i was an isa certified arborist so i was pretty specific on tree species when i wrote up work orders and tree care plans.

One of the dudes that worked for me classified trees as; leaves, or no leaves. Under the "leaves" class was thorny/not thorny. Under his "no leaves" class (evergreen) it was spikey/not spikey lol. Dude was a trip. "I don't give a fuck Corey, just tell me if it's gonna hurt me when i grab the limbs for the chipper" lol.

I miss climbing...such a rush. 4-6 hour adrenaline dump every day.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

here is an example to which i referrred. i zoomed in to the area NW of Gunter.

View attachment 8636046

View attachment 8636048

That is logging

 

[Bender]

we will be staying in eugene OR for a few days then driving up the coast and staying in portland for 2 days. one of those days we will be going to mt st helens.

we have a list of hotels and i would like to know where to avoid.

if anyone has any points of interest, that would be appreciated as well.

edit to ad:
the hotels look to be near the intl airport, a few hotels are across the river in WA.

thank you.

I circled the areas to avoid:

 

[1J04]

I circled the areas to avoid:




View attachment 8638594

FACT!

I'll Pray For You. You're Willingly Entering A Massive Shit Hole. Just Don't.

 

[Pharmseller]

We call it "Lake No Negro's"

Lake Ego.



P

 

[Pharmseller]

Pine trees?

Those are Douglas Fir trees, my friend. And Blue Spruce, and western Hemlock, and Cedar. There can be some coastal pine, depending upon where you are, but those trees are ugly and not really what you are seeing on the Olympic Peninsula.

I have a great big beautiful Ponderosa in my front yard.

But mainly Doug firs.





P

 

[Pharmseller]

I circled the areas to avoid:


View attachment 8638594

You’re painting with an awfully broad brush.

P

 

[1J04]

'They/Them/Turtle': Oregon mental health advisory board includes member who identifies as terrapin species

JD "Terrapin" Holt, who uses the pronouns "they/them" and "turtle," sits on the Oregon Health Authority's Consumer Advisory Council, which advises the agency's director on best practices around the state's provision of mental health services.

www.foxnews.com

https://www.foxnews.com/us/blue-sta...nomination-after-discovering-onlyfans-account

Cannot make this shit up. WA/OR/CA completely fucked! Have a safe trip.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

'They/Them/Turtle': Oregon mental health advisory board includes member who identifies as terrapin species

JD "Terrapin" Holt, who uses the pronouns "they/them" and "turtle," sits on the Oregon Health Authority's Consumer Advisory Council, which advises the agency's director on best practices around the state's provision of mental health services.

www.foxnews.com

https://www.foxnews.com/us/blue-sta...nomination-after-discovering-onlyfans-account

Cannot make this shit up. WA/OR/CA completely fucked! Have a safe trip.

https://nypost.com/2025/03/13/us-news/washington-state-transwoman-jessica-roberts-may-lose-city-council-nomination-after-colleagues-find-onlyfans-page-report/

 

[Camelfilter]

'They/Them/Turtle': Oregon mental health advisory board includes member who identifies as terrapin species

JD "Terrapin" Holt, who uses the pronouns "they/them" and "turtle," sits on the Oregon Health Authority's Consumer Advisory Council, which advises the agency's director on best practices around the state's provision of mental health services.

www.foxnews.com

https://www.foxnews.com/us/blue-sta...nomination-after-discovering-onlyfans-account

Cannot make this shit up. WA/OR/CA completely fucked! Have a safe trip.

OR is trying to out do all of the Communist states with anti-2A "law". Really really saddening...

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Oregon Court of Appeals just reversed a trial court decision striking down the new laws (Measure 114).

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/03/12/oregon-appeals-court-rules-in-favor-of-voter-approved-gun-control-law-measure-114/

“We conclude that all of Measure 114 is facially constitutional,” Ortega wrote in a 25-page opinion.
Plaintiffs have a little more than a month to challenge the appeals court’s decision, and an appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court is expected.
Measure 114’s backers also prevailed in a federal case filed by an eastern Oregon sheriff,a Keizer gun store owner and a pro-gun group. Judge Karin Immergut ruled last summer that the law didn’t violate the federal Second Amendment because it doesn’t protect large-capacity magazines and Oregon’s restrictions are consistent with a long history of firearm regulation.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, whose justice department defended Measure 114, said it was time to move ahead with “common-sense safety measures.”
“Today’s decision is a big step forward for gun safety in Oregon,” Rayfield continued. “This measure gives us the tools to make sure gun buyers go through background checks and get proper permits, helping to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and making our communities safer.”

This link has the 25 page opinion in the news article

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

As dumb as some of the people of Oregon are, its NOTHING like eastern and mid east cities. I grew up in Baltimore and spent a ton of time in Philly, DC, Newark, STL, ect.

Its just a different mentality. I asked the girls at work when I moved there what the bad parts of Portland are so I could go check them out. They aren't bad, just poor. NOTHING like the warzones back east. The hood rats dont outnumber the good folk, which is the difference. There is crime like anywhere but the violent crime doesn't even compare. There is literally nowhere in the PNW I wouldn't feel safe walking with my carry piece. People from the area are mostly naive and oblivious. They don't have experience dealing with real predators like people who grow up in real cities do, and learn from it.

Your biggest threat is some strung out meth head or homeless mental case. Not a crew of predators who rob people for a living.

 

[hankpac]

here is an example to which i referrred. i zoomed in to the area NW of Gunter.

View attachment 8636046

View attachment 8636048

That may be railroad property. It was doled out to the railroad, in a checkerboard pattern, and easements for access led to roads being built, which benefitted owners or feds ( National Forest and blm land.), and allowed the rail road company to log fir ties, bridges and fuel. Look at the Shasta/ Trinity NF visitors map. It has miles of checkerboard along both sides of upper Sacramento River.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Visitor Map (East)

National Forest Visitor Maps provide an overview of recreational uses, trails, roads, streams, lakes, landforms, land administration, visitor centers, facilities, campgrounds and picnic areas and are mapped at the scale of 1/2 inch per mile (1:126,720). This map is to be used with the...

store.avenza.com

 

[1J04]

OR is trying to out do all of the Communist states with anti-2A "law". Really really saddening...

And this fucking shithole, Washington State, keeps saying "Hold My Beer". Fucking democRAT Scum hate the Constitution!

 

[eklarsen]

Be aware that you cannot conceal in Oregon without a license to carry, but you can carry openly. A few (very few) cities, however, ban carrying openly, which puts you in a catch 22 and is, of course, a direct Second Amendment violation.

They do not issue licenses to carry to nonresidents. They also do not reciprocate with other states.

OFF = Oregon Firearms Federation
OFF has good information for you.

They do not have many places actually off limits. It used to be nothing off limits, not schools, even, nothing. But they did away with preemption just a few years ago, so you have to check place by place now. It's exhausting, but that is by design.

As of the summer of 2023, Eugene Airport was not off limits, but the Portland airport was.

Washington resident here, they issued concealed carry to me. I am pretty special though, chicks dig me.

 

[DuneBoer]

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Washington resident here, they issued concealed carry to me. I am pretty special though, chicks dig me.

Yeah, I guess I should have asked if he lives in an adjacent state, but don't you have to go in person? I doubt he would do that or have time to do it just for one upcoming trip.

 

[Camelfilter]

Yeah, I guess I should have asked if he lives in an adjacent state, but don't you have to go in person? I doubt he would do that or have time to do it just for one upcoming trip.

Only applies to neighboring state residents with their instate CHL permit, so about eliminates California residents (difficulties to obtain)...think OP is traveling from farther anyways.

 

[Pharmseller]

Washington resident here, they issued concealed carry to me. I am pretty special though, chicks dig me.

Because you rarely wear underwear?

And when you do, it’s usually something unusual?





P

 

[eklarsen]

Because you rarely wear underwear?

And when you do, it’s usually something unusual?





P

Something in a mesh

 

[Pharmseller]

Dude

You had your chance







P

 

[corey4]

Only applies to neighboring state residents with their instate CHL permit, so about eliminates California residents (difficulties to obtain)...think OP is traveling from farther anyways.

Coming from PA, my LTC doesn't reciprocate.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

Coming from PA, my LTC doesn't reciprocate.

I have the same issue, and I visit all the time. I just carry openly. Police see it, even at a crowded festival, and no issues. I do research on Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF) web site looking for any new localities banning carrying openly or banning carrying in certain locations (see link below). Basically, just a few years ago, Oregon had nothing at all off limits, but more recently they did away with state preemption, which means local governments can make some of their own rules about firearms. Not many of them have, surprisingly, but I do my research before each trip, just in case.

For instance, the small coastal city of Newport banned carrying weapons openly if loaded, I discovered after I carried openly and loaded there not knowing about this change. I did not experience any issues, but maybe I should sue them before my next trip there. I do not have an Oregon concealed carry license and therefore cannot legally conceal. Oregon will not issue me a license to conceal, either, so there is no way to "bear" arms while in Newport and comport with their ordinance. Seems blatantly illegal under the Constitution as interpreted by Heller, McDonald, and Bruen. Seems like an easy case, but you cannot argue preemption because the legislature in Salem basically got rid of it. The case would have to be a constitutional case based on the right to travel (seriously, it applies here) and the right to bear arms being completely denied to me as a nonresident.

LOCAL GUN CODES – Oregon Firearms Federation