Friday Mar 28top

Spring Thing

You know it’s spring on Mount Hood when folks begin pelting Frosty the Snowman with paintballs. Yes, lo and behold, one of the events at Timberline’s annual Thing is a "Frosty firing range." Other oh-no-you-didn’t activities are as follows: musical lawn chairs, ice bowling, hula-hooping, saucer races, a dummy derby and oh, so much more. Lucky for you, there’s an outdoor cabana bar to help make this all slightly less difficult to swallow. Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood., 272-3391. 6 pm Friday, various times Saturday and Sunday. 272-3391. Free w/lift ticket. Easy.

Saturday Mar 29top

Mazamas Used Equipment Sale

As with Filmed by Bike’s opening day (April 11), my advice here is no different—arrive ridiculously early! Last year a few humans took the early bird out of the equation by arriving around 6:30 am and forming a stealthy line before the sale doors even cracked. Popularity aside, what’s cool about Mazama’s annual sale is that anyone can sell their used stuff (equipment drop-off is on Thursday, March 27, from 4 to 8 pm) and peruse the discards of others. Fair-game items include snowshoes, Nordic/telemark skis, camping/backpacking gear and even a few cycling goodies such as helmets and attire. As this is a fundraiser, 20 percent of each sale is donated to the local mountaineering group. So much for sleeping in! Mazama Mountaineering Center, 527 SE 43rd Ave., 227-2345. 9 am-2 pm. Free. Easy.

Tulip Fest Kick-Off

Ok, so technically opening day for the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm’s Tulip Fest was on March 20 (it runs through April 20), and technically this belated kickoff event takes place at an outlet mall nine miles from those 40-plus acres of bloomin’ tulips and daffodils. And yes, even the wooden-shoe-carving demonstrations scheduled here can also be seen at the source. So what, then, is keeping you from just going directly there? Technically, nothing. But here’s what you may miss: a test ride on one of those Dutch bicycles from Portland’s own Clever Cycles (worth a pit stop if you haven’t already done so), live swing music by the likes of Jass Two Plus One and, last but most certainly least, Cosmo the Balloon Wizard. Woodburn Company Stores, 1001 Amey Road, Ste. 508, Woodburn, Ore., 981-1900. 11 am-4 pm. woodenshoe.com. Free. Easy.

Sunday Mar 30top

PUMP 20th Anniversary Ride & Party

In the same week that the author of Pedal Power: The Quiet Rise of the Bicycle in American Public Life—which highlights at length Portland’s bicycle prowess—speaks at Powell’s (March 27), one of the fixtures of our city’s bicycling community just so happens to be celebrating its 20-year history. And it’s no wonder the Portland United Mountain Pedalers—which started in 1988 as a response to a then-proposed ban of mountain bikes in Forest Park—are kicking things off with a celebratory trail ride through that very park before culminating at the Lucky Lab to put a little air back in their tires (no, really, there’s a fix-a-flat contest) with beer and cake. All are welcome. Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, 1945 NW Quimby St., 1 pm (ride), 5 pm (party). pumpclub.org. Free. Easy-Moderate.

Tuesday Apr 1top

Dressed To Kill Hike 

Like a lopsided gluteus maximus, there’s a growing divide when it comes to clothing in Portland. One half prefers to be dress­ed down, such as the Naked Bike Ride or No Pants on MAX while the other side prefers to dress up: the Pretty Red Dress Ride, the Red Dress Party (April 12) and now this—a hike with a dress code in Forest Park. Here’s the lowdown: 75 members from the Portland Hiking Meetup Group (and anyone cheeky enough to join in) will don dresses and strut their decked-out asses, starting at the zoo, then out along the Wildwood Trail, down to the Pittock Mansion and back again. Why? To keep Portland weird, of course! And, in the spirit of diversity, the hike’s official dress code even allows for tuxes, evening gowns and clubwear so long as “it’s completely inappropriate for hiking.” You’re cautioned (and for good reason) against sporting heels—but hey, if you fall on your ass, at least it'll be covered with taffeta. Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Road., Meet by the MAX Station. 5:30 pm. hiking.meetup.com/19/calendar/7403987. Free. Easy.