Columbia Gorge Waterfalls & Mount Hood Loop Details

TOUR DEPARTURE: 9 a.m.

TOUR LENGTH: 8 to 8.5 hours

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Drive along the breath-taking historic Columbia Gorge Scenic Byway and stop to see and explore 3-4 stunning waterfalls scattered like hidden jewels throughout the lush forests of the region

• Enjoy a delicious lunch (and micro-brew or glass of wine if desired) while visiting the quaint community of Hood River, a renowned destination for kite and wind surfing enthusiasts from around the world

• Venture through the rolling hills of the “fruit loop” and sample the delicious produce from local apple and/or pear orchards while capturing views of 2 majestic volcanoes

• Visit the historic Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, built in the 1930’s by the Works Progress Administration and while there meander along a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Mexico to Canada

• Includes snacks, beverages, luxury van transportation, naturalist guide

TOUR SUMMARY:

Your adventure begins with a 9:00am departure from fascinating and eclectic downtown Portland. Your naturalist guide will be waiting for you at our central pickup location (South Waterfront Park in downtown Portland) or will pick you up at the front door of your hotel (via prior arrangement) in our luxury van, replete with beverages and snacks. You will enjoy an interesting narration describing the many highlights of Portland and the surrounding area as we head towards the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway, passing through the charming community of Troutdale on our way towards world famous Waterfall Row! The Columbia River Gorge plays host to the highest density of year-round waterfalls anywhere in the United States and abounds with jaw-dropping natural splendor, stunning vistas, lush old growth forests, a plethora of hiking trails and riveting Native American and pioneer history.

Our first stop will be the historic Vista House (Crown Point) which dates all the way back to 1918. Guests can use our “million dollar” restroom (which serves as a museum and way station for Gorge travelers) covered in marble and mahogany and enjoy the incredible views which complement the elegant architecture of the building. From our perch atop steep dramatic cliffs of lava, we descend a few minutes on a winding road into the magical forests of Waterfall Row filled with ferns, lichen, wildflowers, towering Douglas Fir trees, spectacular birds and native wildlife. Along our route we will explore four or five (depending on the flow of the group) magical waterfalls, each unique in shape, size, natural setting and “personality”. Some of the waterfalls are literally right along the historic highway while others are hidden treasures which reveal themselves via a short walk from 2 to 10 minutes. Most of the trails are paved and very easy to navigate. Some of the falls we may visit during our tour include: Latourell, Sheppard’s Dell, Wahkeena, Bridal Veil, Multnomah, Horsetail and Starvation Creek. Your guide will accompany you to explain various geological and ecological highlights at each waterfall and make sure everyone enjoys their day to the fullest!

620-foot-tall Multnomah Falls is always a highly anticipated highlight and earns the impressive title of being the second tallest year-round waterfall in the U.S. Most groups enjoy walking up to the historic Benson Bridge to feel the mist on their face cascading down from this iconic symbol of Oregon as she pours over 11 million years of dramatic lava flows. At the base of the waterfall, guests may also enjoy the educational visitors’ center, a historic lodge, gift shop, bathrooms and refreshments. Stand back, look skyward and feel the power and majesty of one of the “7 wonders of Oregon”!

After an exhilarating morning basking in the misty magic and dense greenery of Waterfall Row we continue eastwards on highway 84, paralleled by the mighty Columbia River and enjoy the changing landscape, geology and flora as we transition between several distinct biozones. A short drive later filled with stories of the Oregon Trail pioneers, Lewis and Clark and Native American folklore, we arrive in the charming extreme sports town of Hood River! This quaint and easily walkable hamlet enjoys the reputation of being one of the top 3 places in the world to kiteboard and windsurf and also boasts incredibly easy access to mountain biking, class 4 and 5 whitewater kayaking and rafting, phenomenal resort and backcountry skiing, hiking, fishing, birding, SUP’ing and sailing. Hood River is a true outdoor adventure enthusiast’s heaven on earth! Along with all the incredible outdoor activities, this town of 17,000 people is choc full of phenomenal microbreweries, winery tasting rooms, restaurants, cafes, bars, music venues, city parks, art galleries and jewelry shops. The climate here is often much sunnier and warmer than in Portland in the summer and much snowier and colder in the winter… just how the Hood River locals like it! After a brief tour through the downtown, guests will enjoy an hour or so of free time to wander through the streets, choose a restaurant of their liking and eat and drink ‘til their heart’s delight. 😉

After lunch we board our “party wagon” for a trip into the incredibly picturesque rolling foothills adorned with the orchards and vineyards of the world famous “Fruit Loop”. This area is the #1 Anjou Pear producing region in the U.S. and prides itself on growing sumptuous apples, cherries, berries, apricots, wine grapes and many other agricultural delights. Depending on the season, we may stop at one of the many local roadside fruit stands to allow guests to sample the tasty produce and buy some marionberry or huckleberry jams, hard cider, or regional wines to bring home with them.

We continue winding upwards into the more than 1 million acres of pristine National Forest eventually coming to rest at over 6,000 feet on the side of Oregon’s tallest and most famous peak, Mount Hood! This incredible volcanic playground offers 5 different ski areas and is the only mountain in North America to offer year-round chairlift accessed skiing and snowboarding which draws skiers from many Olympic teams around the world, including our very own U.S. team. “Lady Hood” as we locals lovingly refer to her, sits at 11,249 feet above sea-level and thanks to those lofty heights she sports 11 glaciers which are fed yearly by sometimes over 40 feet of snowfall in the winter! Embedded into the flanks of this dormant volcano the miraculous architectural wonder and national historic landmark known as Timberline Lodge provides visitors with a unique window into our mountaineering and skiing heritage. It is here in this fabled ski lodge, born of the “New Deal” era public works projects created by president Franklin Delano Roosevelt that guests will enjoy a walk through history, a classy cocktail, a cold micro-brew or a short hike into the high alpine ridges covered with an abundance of colorful wildflowers throughout the spring and summer. Relax in a comfy adirondack chair on the sundeck behind the lodge which offers spectacular views of the summit, several glaciers, many distinct volcanic features, lava domes and towering basalt columns. Built in the Rustic Cascadian Neovernacular style, we will learn about the architects and skilled artisans who crafted this iconic Oregon landmark and even walk across the very spot where President Roosevelt stood while commemorating the 1937 opening. The world-famous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada passes right by Timberline Lodge and serves as the crown jewel for many hikers around the globe who often struggle for 6 to 7 months straight in the wilderness to complete this monumental and miraculous trek! The lodge has a long history of appearing in many famous films over the years and continues to serve as a major focal point of both winter and summertime recreation for Oregonians and international travelers alike.

After our mountain adventure we enjoy a drive through the sweeping vistas of the neighboring Cascade volcanoes and wind our way back towards Portland, sometimes passing through the funky mountain ski and snowboard village of Government Camp. Depending on time and the season we may visit the idyllic Trillium Lake which serves as a perfect reflecting pool for Mt. Hood’s majesty. A scenic drive through the National Forest and again through the Columbia River Gorge brings us full circle back to downtown Portland where guests will be dropped off at our central pickup location or at their hotel (with prior arrangement). Travelers return to the culinary wonders and cultural highlights of Portland with ample time to enjoy a tasty meal in the evening, catch a play, or listen to some live music.