Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Highlights from the Columbia Gorge
It was just last week that we were looking for a quick getaway and settled on one of our favorite places, the Columbia Gorge, three hours south. Three days, two nights, just enough time for the highlights.
We started at Crown Point for a look at the Gorge, facing east. Honestly, we didn’t mind the rain as we’d been suffering with high temperatures and no rain for weeks. Even so, slide over for a look at the sunny view from an earlier trip.
According to Wikipedia: “The 1918 Art Nouveau style Vista House is an observatory at Crown Point that also serves as a memorial to Oregon pioneers and as a comfort station for travelers on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The site, is on a rocky promontory, is 733 feet (223 m) above the Columbia River.”
The Historic Columbia River Highway was the first planned scenic highway in the country and was built between 1913 and 1922. More on that here.
To me, the jewels of the highway are the many waterfalls that line its west side, and we stopped by a couple of our favorites.
Latourell Falls
Yes, there were folks swimming in the pool at the base of the falls.
Horsetail Falls
No swimmers at Horsetail Falls, in fact, we had it to ourselves.
We didn’t stop at the most famous waterfall on the highway: Multnomah Falls now requires a reservation during the summer season; we didn’t bother as we’ve seen it many times before.
We spent the night at Hood River and the next day took a drive to Mt. Hood. It was beautiful and sunny and less than an hour to Timberline Lodge.
I was hoping to get good shots of the lodge against Mt Hood, but the mountain was socked in by clouds. Still, it’s worth showing you pictures of the rustic interior which is filled with original artwork. Built in the 1930’s as part of FDR’s plan to get Americans back to work, all manner of craftsman were employed to build and furnish it. More about the historic lodge can be found here.
The next day we found plenty of sunshine high above the Gorge at Rowena Crest, where the forest gives way to golden hills.
On the Washington side of the Gorge, headed for home, we got a great look at Mt. Adams, which though beautiful, is often overshadowed by Mt. Rainier to the north.
In fact, from this vantage point, four mountains can be seen; in addition to Mt Adams: Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and even the top of Mt. Rainier, in that order below.
But there is no doubt that Mt. Adams is the star of the show from here.
Now before I go, I have to show you one more highlight of our trip, an ice cream stop at the Eastwind Drive-In at Cascade Locks, for my favorite swirl cone. My sister who lives in the area recommended it to me, especially the large size, which is a foot tall. I was happy with a small, though next time, I may upgrade to a medium.
That’s all from the Columbia Gorge.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Wow! So many beautiful photos and waterfalls, Susanne! The ice cream looks sooo delish!
Thanks, John! It truly is a special place, and the ice cream is wonderful!
You’re welcome, Susanne and I totally believe you!
We need a stronger button than “LIKE”
Thank you! 😊😊
We have visited this gorgeous part of the world on a Honda Gold Wing. Amazing!!
That indeed sounds wonderful! 🤩
The scenery is so wonderful, whatever the weather. I really like the misty/wet photo, which gives real atmosphere to the place. You are lucky to have the grand mountsains so close by too.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. I really do treasure the scenery of the Pacific Northwest. There are so many wonderful places to visit and I never get tired of them.
What as great getaway, Susanne.
One of our favorites. We visit at least once a year, all seasons are good. 🙂
A great spot for a short break for you 🙂 The views from Rowena Crest are stunning! I remember driving up Mount Hood and having a coffee in Timberline Lodge on our Oregon road trip – thank you for taking me back. But are you really telling me that is a SMALL ice cream?!!
Thanks, Sarah. We love the gorge and visit at least once a year, no matter the season. And yes, that is a small! My sister tells me I should get the large, but seriously, how would I eat it?? Bob gets the kid size, the next size down from a small. The ice cream is SO good, I may try a medium next time! 🙂
Amazing scenery and waterfalls… you live in a beautiful place!
Yes, the Gorge is amazing. I’m thankful to live in the Northwest surrounded by so much beauty!
Such beautiful photos! And I know that the photos can’t capture the full beauty of the place….
Thank you! True, it’s hard to capture the beauty in photos, and depends on light and time of day. But you get the general idea. 😄
WOW. The waterfalls are beautiful. We do not have any waterfalls where I live! The ice cream cone was perfectly made!!! Yum!!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed them!