Pdxguide

Powell Butte is the second largest park in the city (608 acres) after Forest Park. This hill is 630 feet high, and like many of the buttes in East Portland, was formed by volcanic activity. You can reach the summit by the trails that go up the forested slopes. There’s hella meadows and orchards at the crest, plus some of the best (and most secret!) views of the city, surrounding mountains, and Columbia River Gorge can be found up here. And Powell Butte is possibly the best place around to see the sunrise (which I have done on the past two summer solstices). Well worth the trip, even if it means going all the way out to almost Gresham (urgh.) During rainy periods (i.e. most of winter) the trails are off-limit to bikes. Alternate entrance at SE 162nd south of SE Powell Blvd.