September is my favorite month to hike in Cascadia. The crowds are down, the temperature much more reasonable, and fall foliage is starting to turn. If you’ve been itching to get out on a trail and you’ve got moderate experience, consider the Glacier Basin Trail in Washington’s north-central Cascades.According to Craig Romano, Cascadia Magazine‘s resident hiking expert, in his article now online, this trail is a strenuous one: it’s steep (including stretches of scrambling where a provided rope comes in handy) and not for beginners. But the payoffs are great: solitude, a gorgeous cirque surrounded by high peaks, and a trip through history.

Early on, the trail passes through the historic mining ghost town of Monte Cristo, which in its heyday, served as home to over 2,000 people — including justice of the peace Frederick Trump. Yes, he’s related: Donald’s grandfather not only was the town lawman, but  also owned several hotels and houses of ill-repute.  Find out more about this fascinating hike in Craig’s write-up online here atCascadia Magazine, complete with trail descriptions and directions to the trailhead.

KNKX recently did a great interview with Craig: have a listen here. He talks about increasing crowds on certain trails, the importance of trail etiquette (no  portable music speakers on trails, please!!) and how to get away from the beaten path.

To read more about Glacier Basin, head over to this link at Cascadia Magazine.

Online now at Cascadia Magazine:
I’ll Never Own a House in Vancouver

Poet Chelene Knight has lived in Vancouver most of her life, and she’s seen communities pulled apart by skyrocketing housing costs. In a lyrical essay for Cascadia Magazine, she reflects on the realization she may never own a home in Vancouver, and what uncertainties about risings rents do to people on the margins. We’re very proud to publish this timely piece. Give it a read this weekend!
And if you appreciate articles like this, consider becoming a supporting reader by making a contribution at Cascadia Magazine‘s donate page. Thanks!

BC won’t hit climate targets if gas terminal is approved

The Globe and Mail notes that British Columbia’s targets for reducing carbon emissions can’t be met if the province goes forward on an LNG export terminal at the north coast site of Kitimat. In other Cascadia climate news, OPB reports that Portland will vote on a ballot initiative this fall that would enact a 1 percent tax on retail businesses to pay for clean energy projects.

Foster care system in WA is flawed

Allegra Abramo, writing for Crosscut (with support from Investigate West) reports on flaws in Washington’s foster care system, including reliance on hotel stays and sending children out-of-state. Pressure on the system is increasing, as the need for foster care in WA has risen 23 percent since 2012.

Duplexes are not evil, but evictions might be…

Vancouver’s recent decision to end bans on duplexes has stirred debate, but Craig Jorgensen, writing for the Tyee, notes that a neighborhood where they’ve been allowed for years is a thriving, vibrant place. Sightline has more on Vancouver’s groundbreaking decision to end exclusionary zoning. And meanwhile, the Seattle Times reports that evictions are rising in Seattle, and for low-income residents, that can often lead to homelessness.

Vancouver’s Insite supervised injection site 10 years later

North America’s first safe injection site opened in Vancouver 10 years ago this week. Travis Lupick, who’s reported on Vancvouer opioid crisis for many years, wrote about the creation of InSite in an excerpt from his book Fighting for Space at Cascadia Magazine. And in Seattle, mayor Jenny Durkan announced the city was still budgeting for its first supervised consumption site, even though the feds have said they would work to shut it down. To learn more about how safe injection saves lives, read Kelsey Hamlin’s feature at Cascadia Magazine.

Filling gaps in BC’s bus service after Greyhound backs out

Ever since Greyhound announced it was pulling all of its bus service in British Columbia, the province has been scrambling to figure out how to continue providing low-cost transportation before the deadline of Oct. 31. CBC reports that a variety of small companies are aiming to start service, which is especially critical in small towns across eastern BC.

A field guide to old Portland

Portland Mercury is a running a raft of articles in its Portland Handbook issue, and we found the field guide to old Portland entertaining and enlightening: you’ll find classic porn shops, crusty diners, and that faded but wonderful institution celebrating its 20th anniversary: Oregon Art Beat!

A new album from Portland’s Black Belt Eagle Scout

Over at KEXP, the Throwaway Style column reviews the new album from Portland singer-songwriter Katherine Paul, better known as Black Belt Eagle Scout. She’s a member of Washington’s Swinomish Tribe, and her new album Mother of My Children explores issues of Indigenous and queer identity, family, and open relationships. Check it out on BandCamp!

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That’s today’s selection of links to news and arts across Cascadia. Have a lovely weekend!  –Andrew Engelson

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Photo credits: Katherine Paul courtesy of Black Belt Eagle Scout’s BandCamp site.