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Words fail many travelers who drive the
exquisite Historic Columbia River Highway
(pictures).
Every twist and turn brings a new treasure, from majestic waterfalls, to
astounding views from the tops of cliffs over 900 feet above the river.
During the spring, the Gorge area erupts into magnificent wildflower
displays, including many plants that only exist in this area.
Multnomah
Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. The water
of the Falls drops 620 feet from its origin on Larch Mountain. Unusually
cold weather can turn this plummeting falls into a frozen icesicle, with a
few drops falling to the bottom. The frozen falls is a sight to behold. Our
tour includes the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway, with stops at Horsetail Falls, Oneonta Gorge,
Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Latourelle
Falls,
Shepherd's Dell Waterfall, Bridal
Veil Falls and/or overlook hike* & the historic
Bridal Veil Lodge, the
Crown
Point Vista House with its panoramic view of the mighty Columbia River
and Gorge, and the
Bonneville Dam/ Fish Hatchery (on request).
Your tour guide will discuss all of these sights, plus
some general information about the Gorge to let you know "Where did this
place come from?", with ice age
Glacial Lake Missoula & the Missoula Floods
and its affect on the Gorge's formation.
Lewis &
Clark's Corp of Discovery
passed by all these places. Extended stops (30 - 45 minutes each) at 2
of these locations is possible. Bring sturdy shoes so you can walk the
trails, if desired. This is a
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The Columbia
River is confined to a gap about sixty yards wide at the entrance to
the Long Narrows, shown here in 1882. The future site of the
Vista House is to the far left.
Carleton Watkins, photographer, OHS neg., OrHi 21646
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classic Oregon Scenic Tour. You may
choose to
customize this tour.
THE COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY BEGAN AS THE DREAM
of visionary Samuel Hill and engineer Samuel
Lancaster. It became known as a poem in stone, the first scenic
highway in America, the first major paved road in the Northwest: 73 miles of
highway, three tunnels, 18 bridges,
seven viaducts and two footbridges. Teddy Roosevelt called it the most
remarkable feat of engineering of its time.
When the highway opened in 1916, the Illustrated London News called it "the
best of all great highways in the world, glorified! It is the king of
roads".
By 1922, the Columbia River Highway went
along a route purposely designed to twist and turn, showing of what
Roosevelt called its "unequaled scenic grandeur."
In the early 1900s, drivers stopped their Model
T's in the middle of the road to admire the scenery including Horsetail
Falls (left). Now visitors park across the highway and dodge passing cars to
enjoy the view. In 1913 highway engineer Samuel Lancaster wrote: "Our
first order of business was to find the beauty spots, of those points where
the most beautiful things along the line might be seen in the best
advantage, and if possible to locate the road in such a way as to reach
them."
Highway engineer Samuel Lancaster thought
the land atop the 733-foot cliff at Crown Point was an ideal vantage
point for travelers to see both up and down the Columbia River "in silent
communion with the infinite." Portland architect Edgar Lazarus, who
designed the Vista House observatory, said "the pavilion with its outline
against the sky will recall the ancient and mystic Thor's Crown for which
the point (then called Thor's Crown) was originally named." During
construction of the highway, the name was changed to Crown Point.
More about the Columbia River Highway.\
A
Trailhead Release Agreement
form is required from each member of the group. If you
choose to take any hike, whether short or long, this form will be required from
all group members. The chauffeur/tour guide will not be allowed
to accompany your group on any hike. Be prepared for inclement weather
(rain, snow, cold, etc.).
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