Discover Oregon's tallest waterfall from both the bottom and the top
About the Hike: Oregon's most popular trail climbs to viewpoints at Multnomah Falls, a 542-foot, two-tiered plume that plummets into a misty, mossy forest grotto.
Difficulty: A moderate, 2.2-mile hike with 700 feet of elevation gain to the top of Multnomah Falls, or a difficult 5.4-mile loop to Wahkeena Falls with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.
Season: Open all year
A slot-like chasm with waterfalls
About the Hike: Next door to busy Multnomah Falls but usually overlooked by tourists, this delightful trail explores a cavern behind Ponytail Falls and then loops around Oneonta Gorge, a mossy chasm so narrow that Oneonta Creek fills it wall to wall. An optional 1.8-mile side trip leads to Triple Falls, where three plumes of water plunge 120 feet at once.
High on the side of Mt. Hood.
About the Hike: Like white lace, 120-foot Ramona Falls drapes across a stair-stepped cliff of columnar basalt. The very popular trail to the shady grotto of this Mount Hood cascade starts out in a mossy alder forest beside the Sandy River's bouldery outwash plain. A loop trail to the falls follows a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Difficulty: The difficult 7.1-mile loop to the falls gains 1000 feet of elevation.
When the wind dies on your kite session, shower beneath the 90-degree water that has been baking in the dry sun from your portable camp shower, grab a fresh burrito and a bag of Rainier Cherries from the local stand at the northern edge of town and pull the skateboard out for some concrete surfing.
Difficulty: All levels and abilities
Season: The dry season begins in June and typically lasts into the Indian summer of September.
Fees: The park is free and open to the public all year long.
The conical shaped Mt. Hood, the highest peak in Oregon, rises 11,235 feet and is just 35 miles to the south of Hood River. This picturesque board sport hamlet of Hood River is situated on the steep banks of a narrow, lush river valley - the famed Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River splits two towering icons just beyond the gorge, Mt Hood to the south and Mt. Adams to the north.
When traveling to the Columbia River Gorge stay at The Dalles Inn in the historic downtown district of The Dalles. You’ll enjoy spacious rooms, complimentary continental breakfast, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, outdoor pool and the wonderful location in the heart of town.
Driving through the Columbia River Gorge it hits you that over the course of thousands of years, the landscape was carved from the earth creating the majestic beauty.
Then you realize you need to keep your eyes on the road.
The gorge’s unending beauty is only matched by the rich history and lessons it can teach people willing to learn. Lucky for us, there is the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum in The Dalles.
The Old Salmon River Trail provides an easy hike through old-growth forest
About the Hike: A few miles upstream from the Wildwood Recreation Area, this quiet riverside path traverses an old-growth forest with 10-foot-thick red cedars and leads to small sandy beaches with deep green pools suitable for a chilly summer swim. Because a paved road parallels the route, it's easy to arrange a car shuttle so you can hike the 2.6-mile trail one way.
I can’t help but notice the crackle from inside the monstrous fireplace. There’s something about a warm fire that tugs at me and whispers “sit, take a moment, relax and enjoy.”
I follow the advice. I’m only a few feet from the front door of the Timberline Lodge. I’ve been throughout the national landmark and had lunch. I need to drive down from Mt. Hood and back to reality. But that fire has its hold on me.
Sample the 37.6-mile Timberline Trail that circles Mt. Hood, starting with a short section from the mountain's historic 1937 lodge.
About the Hike: From Mt. Hood's Timberline Lodge, three particularly tempting goals await hikers. Short trail climb to the Silcox Hut and visit the Zigzag Canyon overlook. Plan a longer day hike or a backpack for the trek to Paradise Park's spectacular wildflower meadows.
