Boy, do I feel stupid! I am unclear as to whether the Gorge is an area to drive through with stops for views, short hikes, etc. or an area to stay in for a couple of days. Just trying to get a sense of what we want to do in Oregon for about a week....so much to do, so little time!
Columbia River Gorge
For most people, it is just for a day. If you like to hike though, then add more time as there are numerous trails in the area. For other people, just driving by, getting out of the car once or twice for a picture suits them fine. Just depends on what you are looking for.
Columbia River Gorge
http://www.crgva.org/\\
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/
Agree with Mtngrl, it%26#39;s a one day (or less) beautiful drive with lots to see and hike on the scenic/old road. And you can go east on the OR side, west on the WA side, very different experiences. See also Maryhill Museum and Stonehenge.
kauaidreamin - You don%26#39;t mention when you wil be touring Oregon. Depending on time of year differant recommendations are appropriate, for example we just received a foot or so of fresh snow in the mountains so you would want to be certain of local road conditions. If you will be here in the summer that is not such a concern.
If you go through the gorge be sure to stop and enjoy the vistas, i.e. Crown Point, and also the numerous waterfalls. A number of short hikes will reward you with wonderful water fall views, generally you may be the only one there at that moment.
If you need suggestions on other areas of Oregon you can get very useful information from this forum. Will you have time to see Crater Lake? It is an awesome sight, a great opportunity to enjoy a wonder of nature. Hope you enjoy your Oregon visit.
Be sure to visit the web references mentined in a previous post.
If you visit www.oregonstateparks.org, you will get an idea of the many things to do in the Gorge. Lots of history, fantastic waterfalls and views and plenty of hiking.
~Den~
What I enjoy most about the Gorge area is the watefalls. Multnomah Falls is very pretty, you can view some of my photos we took in the area last summer here. Our last visit was just for the afternoon, but we have previously gone all the way back to Hood River where we enjoyed a very nice stay at the Columbia River Gorge Hotel. It is a historic hotel with gorgeous grounds and nice amenities, on the Historical Hotels Register. Happy travel planning! :)
Yes to all. You have as other says options. My suggestion is to drive the Old Highway east bound, Take Corbett exit off I-84, thoug I usually get on at Troutdale
Stop first at Womens Forum which you might miss if not looking for it, and get first view of Gorge. Many possible stops after that. Vista House, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, but it is a mile or so hike down and back, Then Wahkeena, Multnomah and Horsetail falls, also stop at Oneonta Gorge
There is another access from I-5 at Bridal Veil if you want to see only the last three.
There are two or three other short hikes. If interested could give you some ideas.
Do I love this forum!!!! Thank you so much for the advice. We will be there mid-July. I generally prefer not to travel during the time everyone else is but our time-frame is set. I will definitely check-out the info you all have given , but now I have an idea of how much time to allocate. I%26#39;d love to see Crater Lake so we will try to fit that in as well. Sounds like a stop on the coast (Yachats), the Gorge and Crater Lake are all places we want to be (along with that round of golf).
July is a great time to visit. Our summers normally start July 5th ;) If you can do the gorge mid-week, and go early, you will avoid much of the crowds. As Phirl said, the old scenic highway is great. Exit 17 (Troutdale) is the first exit for it, and the other is Corbett (exit 22). Portland Women%26#39;s Forum and the Vista House are must stops...then of course Multnomah Falls. Be sure to walk to the very top...not just the little bridge.
Crater Lake is great too. Be sure to take the boat trip. You do need to go early in the day to the ticket booth (near the rim, not down by the dock) to get a reservation. They go pretty quick. The boat ride goes all over the lake, and makes a stop at Wizard Island for those that want to get off and go hike a bit. The guides are great and we really enjoyed it.
Voyaging has good idea to return on Wash site, be sure to stop at Cape Horn and look back at where you have been. View from there almost as good as Womens Forum.
When I worked we had plans to put a small parking lot there, but ran into some little rare creature that was going to make it difficult to clear. Not sure anything has been done there. been awhile since I was there.
Cape Horn is as you pull uphillto go over Cape Horn near top road turns away from river. It is just upstrean from Vista House
kauaidreamin. read your report on Kauai trip, sounds like a good trip, but you missed a few things, go back
waiting for Oct
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