Download Touring the Columbia River Gorge from Troutdale to Hood River

Touring the Columbia River Gorge
from Troutdale to Hood River, Oregon
1. For geocachers, there’s some beautiful spots to explore along the entire route
2. Troutdale is adorable. The main street which is just a few blocks long looks like Disneyland’s Main Street with
lovely flower baskets.
3. Historic Columbia River Highway. Now this is worth spending a full day to enjoy… all by itself. Hop off at Corbett
and it connects back with the freeway at Dodson and Ainsworth. It goes up to Crown Point, then down along the
river by many falls. It will definitely add an hour to your trip (even if you don’t think you’ll stop much)… an hour of
peace and quiet. By the way, there are geocaches all along the highway and trails. I love the tall trees and
gorgeous greenery that surround much of the road.
4. Crown Point’s Vista House which sits 733’ above the river was built in 1918 funded by Multnomah County and
private sources. It is 44’ in diameter and 55’ high (and it does have a basement level). Over one million people
visit it every year. There’s a geocache there (but be tricky so you don’t get caught).
5. I’m not sure if this is before the falls or after Multnomah Falls, but on the right side of the road, kind of tucked in
after the tall rocks, there’s a large home with a barn. I was told years ago, that during prohibition that was the
place to be for “rich folks from the metro area” … they’d go up by boat, dock in the cove (at that time) where the
“federals” couldn’t see them and walk up to the home for the weekend of fun. The whole place had a marvelous
view, so if “feds” were going to crash the party, they could quickly vanish.
6. Multnomah Falls is 611’ feet tall (542’ top falls, lower falls is a 69’ drop). In the early 1900’s it was privately owned
by Simon Benson who gave it to Multnomah County who later passed it on to the Forest Service. During the
winter, the falls become magical with ice lining the walls and a ice mountain forms in the pool behind the bridge
you can see. Spectacular!!
7. Osprey family – just after the falls there are some towers/markers in the river that light the way for boats at night.
On top of at least two of them now are Osprey nests. Osprey’s mate for life and return to their nests every spring,
even though humans dismantle the nests every fall. The next closest to the Falls has had a family return for over
10 years now.
8. The rocks, the falls, the river, the views – each one could be its own story.
9. Near Dodson, on the right side of the eastbound, is a house almost totally hidden now by the huge rocks and
overgrowth. In February 1996, a large debris flow (mud and rocks) flowed down off the tall cliffs and totally
covered (closing) I-84. The family in the house heard the rumbling and escaped, but their home and property was
totally engulfed by the rocks and mud… and there it sits as a stark reminder of that year.
10. Bonneville Dam. A spectacular dam for electricity and for flood control. There’s also a really nice view room for
studying sturgeon and a fish hatchery that you can get a stretch and short walk at.
11. Tunnel lights …. Check out the old lights (almost overgrown with greenery) before you enter Tooth Rock Tunnel.
The tunnel was built in 1936 and is 837’ long.
12. Eagle Creek Bridge – right after the tunnel, you’ll probably be driving too fast to enjoy this lovely little bridge and
photo opportunity … but if you take the exit, it’ll be worth a short stop. The bridge is the only one of its style in the
Historic Columbia River Highway project.
13. Cascade Locks – an interesting little town. Looking for fresh fish – if it’s still season check the vendors parked
near the bridge and Charburger -- Westwinds Café (further east) is a great spot for ice cream cones (if you have
time to wait in line) – but the neatest thing is the park along the river just east of the Westwinds Café. It’s worth a
drive into the park… but definitely you have to go see the new bronze sculpture of Sacagawea and her dog at the
east end of the park. She’s beautiful… her bronze hair seems to be blowing in the gorge winds as she points to
the west.
14. The drive on follows the Columbia River (which starts up in Canada (north of Banff/Lake Louise) and the
railroad… weaving along the mountainside. years ago, because of the shapes of the hills and the curving of the
road, I had the thrill of experiencing 3 (yes 3) sunrises one morning – I figured nothing could go wrong that day!!!
15. Just before Exit #62 is the Columbia Gorge Hotel. It’s an elegant building, with some great views down onto the
river. At one time, it was also owned by Simon Benson. During the depression it became a type of retirement
home… and just went downhill until restoration started in 1977. I’d have to say it was marvelous in the 1980s…
and then various owners kind of let it go downhill again. It now has a new owner and I do hope that it returns to
being the classiest spot around!
16. You might enjoy getting off at Exit #62 … and driving by some of the nice homes in Hood River. Hood River is a
tourist town so drivers and pedestrians do what they want. Drive safely.