Historic Columbia River Highway
Rowena Crest, OR

The Rowena Crest Viewpoint at Mayer State Park is the eastern companion to the Crown Point Overlook. The dramatic views of the Rowena Loops and the dry eastern landscape are not to be missed.

13,000 years ago, the last (and possibly greatest) catastrophic flood in the Gorge washed over Rowena Crest at a height of over 1000 feet (more than 200 feet above Rowena Crest). In less than 40 hours, the flood scoured away the topsoil, leaving a barren landscape. (Far to the west, the Willamette Valley was temporarily covered with a 400 foot deep lake.)

The Tom McCall Preserve is dedicated to the memory of Governor Tom McCall whose commitment to preserve the Oregon landscape is legendary. Today, The Nature Conservancy manages the 230-acre preserve because of its diversity of plants and wildlife. the preserve attracts wildflower enthusiasts from around the Northwest (especially from late February through May.)