Mt Tabor Stairs

for stairs, these are pretty nice. a great way to switch up your work-​out. i’m no expert in stairs, but probably some of the better i’ve seen.

I came here looking for a night shot of the city of Portland and this park is NOT the place for photographers to get some night shots. The park itself usually closes at 10pm but there was a ranger when I visited who was telling cars to park at the bottom of the park around 9:15pm, hence why I ended up using the stairs to reach the stop. The good thing about the stairs is you avoid the mud and it offers a quick and easy way to reach the top.
Once you reach the top, walk around and find some benches near a cottage/​house. There should be a semi clear view of the city lights, but tree branches have gotten in the way and the view is no longer a «prime place».
Even though there was a ranger going around the mountain or checking up on the car parking lots, I personally did not feel very safe just because there is a lack of street lights on the stairs.
I can see this park being a popular spot for the residents that live near it, otherwise for tourists, I would say there is nothing that special about this park.

Stairs. Supposedly 282 of them. A good push to get up and down them, and a nice view from the top, especially of the new-​ish Tilikum Crossing bridge. .. .
The bottom of the stairs are near the north-​east corner of the park, where 69^th dead-​ends into the park. You can park in the neighborhood or along the driveway that leads to the summit (though the driveway is closed to motorized traffic on Wednesdays).

These stairs will kick your ass no matter what your fitness level is. Plus the view for Mt Tabor is always a welcomed sight.

Stairs are a necessary evil. They had them before the days of the elevator and escalator, or even cars and buses. Calories can be burnt using them. The Mount Tabor Stairs at least cut to the chase by going right up to the scenic viewpoint at Mount Tabor. These stairs are modest compared to say the Filbert Steps, but the mountain is intense, so running up these is only for the most fit among us.
I got off my bus and walked up and up these stairs. My hands were swinging, though I could hold my smartphone surprisingly with ease. Most portions of them have a railing, but not all. Multiple parts of the park have stairs, which of course you can take downwards. Stairs are that same necessary evil no matter where, but at least it is beautiful. There is a drinking fountain on top if you can make it.
Mount Tabor Stairs will shred your pounds to make you better.

Superman has his General Zod. Batman has his Joker. I have the Mt. Tabor Stairs. Nemesis in all but name.
Mt. Tabor Park is an idyllic place — tall trees, forested trails, meandering roads for biking and walking, and fabulous views of the city to the west and Hood to the east. These stairs, however… these fucking stairs. Every day they punish me. Me and the myriad of other folks prone to self-​torture. Up and up and up they go, starting at the NE park entrance on 69^th and heading up from there to the loop at the top-​o-​the-​hill. Have I counted the steps? No. I’ve been too busy panting, burning, heaving, grunting, spitting, swearing and generally cursing my existence as I run, walk, trudge and drag ass up the steps, time and time again. I have left my fair share of sweat on these hallowed paths, there’s no doubt.
Some days I run the steps. Some even two-​at-​a-​time. Other days it’s a casual trot. And on many, it’s simply a walk. Up and down, up and down, up and down. I do this so often that I recognize the regulars here. From the ripped out dudes wearing vest-​weights to the little old ladies determinedly making their way up to the summit. I sometimes get the occasional high-​five from some other person in the throes of this masochistic activity… misery loves company. Plenty of hellos, lots of knowing grimaces. No matter who’s on the steps at any given time of day, we’re all in this self-​pity party together. And there’s a loose sense of circumstantial camaraderie.
Aside from it’s use as a monumental, municipal device for burning calories, the Mt. Tabor stairs are the quickest, most direct way to walk up this hill. You can park along the street at the entrance and huff it up to the tippy-​top in no time. Or if you don’t want to feel the thigh burn, you can take any of the myriad of gently-​sloping roads or trails that wind their way to the same ends.
When you make it to the top, don’t forget to head around the loop and say hi to Harvey.
I’m through with you for today, stairs, but I’ll see you again tomorrow… jerks.