Historic Columbia River Highway
Historic Columbia River Highway Long Tour
| Departure: | Troutdale, Oregon |
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| Destination: | Portland, Oregon |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
This day trip will take you along some of the most stunning sites of both the western and eastern halves of the Byway, over both sides of the Columbia River, and provide you with the opportunity to explore this historical treasure both by car and on foot.
Day 1
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Start: Troutdale
Troutdale incorporates both a small-town atmosphere and the amenities typical to a metropolis. This city has a historic downtown with antique shops, an art gallery, a quilt store, two historic museums, and many other specialty shops.
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Navigation Point: Lewis and Clark State Park
Your journey begins at Lewis and Clark State Park. Named after the famous explorers who travelled this region, the park is situated at the western end of the Byway, near the mouth of the Sandy River, and offers a variety of recreational opportunities.
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Stop 1: Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
Distance from Previous Site: 8 miles / 12.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 16 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes Also known as Chanticleer Point the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint boasts one of the most magnificent views in the world. Several vistas are available for those taking the time to walk the existing portion of the road which is passable for eight tenths of a mile from the park.
There are two interpretive signs at this location: one describes this view and the vision of Sam Hill and Samuel Lancaster to create the Historic Columbia River Highway; the other describes the ice age floods that created this landscape. A memorial to Sam Hill is also located on a large rock adjacent to the HCRH.
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Stop 2: Vista House
Distance from Previous Site: 1 miles / 1.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 2 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Continuing down the Byway, you will come to Vista House at Crown Point, one of the most photographed sites along the Historic Columbia River Highway. It is a memorial to Oregon's pioneers, an observatory, and public comfort station.
Samuel Lancaster, the Highway's chief engineer, believed that this outcropping of land, located atop a 733-foot sheer cliff overlooking the Columbia River, was one of the most spectacular vistas in the world. He knew that it was the ideal site for "an observatory from which the view both up and down the Columbia could be viewed in silent communion with the infinite."
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Stop 3: Latourell Falls
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes One of several waterfalls along this Byway, these beautiful falls lie hidden in the forest's deep green. Best of all, they are just a short hike from the road.
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Stop 4: Shepperd's Dell
Distance from Previous Site: 1 miles / 1.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 10 minutes The small falls at Shepperd's Dell State Natural Area is a treat at the end of a short, verdant hike from the Highway.
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Stop 5: Wahkeena Falls
Distance from Previous Site: 4 miles / 6.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 8 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes Renamed in 1915 with what is said to be a Yakama Indian word meaning, 'most beautiful,' Wahkeena Falls hosts a trail and a stone bridge that goes across the water near this waterfall. There are also picnic tables and a stone and wood pavilion.
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Stop 6: Multnomah Falls
Distance from Previous Site: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Multnomah Falls is both the tallest and the most visited of the Byway's waterfalls. This beautiful, two-tiered cascade falls more than 600 feet in the upper falls, and about 50 feet in the lower falls making it the second highest year-round waterfall in the entire United States.
For a closer view, take the time to hike up to Benson Bridge, built in 1914 by local contractor Robert R. Ringer. Also, don't miss out on Multnomah Falls Lodge built in 1925. Inside the lodge is a gift shop, restaurant and US Forest Service Information Center.
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Stop 7: Oneonta Gorge
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 6 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Oneonta Gorge is a botanical treasure; over 50 species of plants reside in this perpetually-cool and moist shelter. A hike to Oneonta Falls can be quite an adventure as you have to wade into the stream to get to them. Just be sure to bring plenty of towells!
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Stop 8: Horsetail Falls
Distance from Previous Site: 0.5 miles / 0.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes Horsetail Falls is located immediately south of the Historic Columbia River Highway and can be viewed without leaving your car. But if you park in the adjacent parking lot, you can enjoy the craftsmanship of the rock walls and paths leading to the falls.
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Stop 9: Bonneville Dam
The first dam on the Columbia River is a National Historic Landmark. Two visitor centers tell the story of the dam and electricity generation. The nearby fish hatchery has fish viewing areas.
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Stop 10: Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
Distance from Previous Site: 6 miles / 9.6 km With the construction of Bonneville Dam in 1936, many portions of the original scenic highway became impassable and later, with the construction of I-84, other sections of the orignal highway were bypassed or covered over, and tunnels were filled with rocks or destroyed. Dedicated individuals have worked to have some of these old sections of the highway restored. Too narrow for modern vehicles, they are now open to hikers and bikers as the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
Your exploration of the trail starts at the Toothrock Trailhead just off exit 40. From here you can park the car and hike up to Eagle Creek Recreation Area and Eagle Creek Overlook.
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Stop 11: Eagle Creek
Distance from Previous Site: 2 miles / 3.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour The first recreational site designated in a National Forest, Eagle Creek Recreation Area continues to be a popular for hiking, picnicking and camping. It also boasts a number of unique features. For example, you can enjoy the view of Bonneville Dam from the Eagle Creek overlook, or watch salmon swim in the Creek from the pedestrian observatory on the northwest corner of Eagle Creek Bridge, the only stone-masonry faced concrete bridge on the Highway. Eagle Creek is also the home of "Big John," thought to be the first flush toilet installed in a forest service facility.
After you have worked up an appetite by exploring, take time to rest and enjoy the scenery with a picnic lunch before heading back to the trailhead.
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Stop 12: Cascade Locks
Distance from Previous Site: 5 miles / 8.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Cascade Locks is named for the series of locks built near it in 1896. This friendly community has everything you need, and is a perfect place to stop overnight.
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Stop 13: Mitchell Point
Distance from Previous Site: 4 miles / 6.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 8 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 5 minutes You will find opportunities for hiking, interpretive signs, and gorgeous views of the Columbia River from Mitchell Point.
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Stop 14: Starvation Creek State Park
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 22 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 10 minutes Starvation Creek State Park may be small, but you can enjoy the day-use park's picnic facilities, elegant waterfall, or the many hiking trails that spread out from it.
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Stop 15: Hood River
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 6 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Hood River is known as the 'windsurfing capital of the world,' but the fishing, hiking, and skiing are also excellent. This town, named after both Mt. Hood and the Hood River, is also one of Oregon's major apple-growing areas. As you drive through, you will be treated to fantastic views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood.
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Stop 16: Twin Tunnels Visitor Center
Visit here to learn the history of the Twin Tunnels.
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Overnight Point: The Dalles
Distance from Previous Site: 5 miles / 8.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Continue down the highway until you reach The Dalles, the largest city in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Much of the town's past remains in its 19th-century churches and homes.
Stay a night in the Dalles, which was once the ending point of the Oregon Trail. Relax in a motel or hotel to prepare yourself for another day of traveling and scenic and historical stops.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 57 miles / 91.2 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Gorge Discovery Center
The Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Museum opened in May 1997 and provide interactive exhibits, living history exhibits and movies about the human and natural history of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Wasco County.
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Stop 2: Mosier
Mosier is the gateway to the Mosier Twin Tunnels and the eastern loop of the Historic Columbia River Highway.
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Stop 3: Mosier Twin Tunnels
The view on the east end of the Twin Tunnels is spectacular, providing vistas of the Columbia River Gorge and Eighteen Mile Island.
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Stop 4: Hood River
The city boasts fantastic views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood. It is known as the 'windsurfing capital of the world.' The fishing, hiking, and skiing are also excellent. Hood River is one of Oregon's major apple-growing areas.
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End: Portland
Distance from Previous Site: 48 miles / 76.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour From Skamania Lodge you can travel State Route 14 all the way back to Portland and the end of your journey.
