Explorations of Jackie & Joe: Columbia River Gorge

July 5-6, 2013

After breakfast at CHOW in Bend, Oregon, we began our drive to the Columbia River Gorge. We were staying at a cabin in Stevenson, Washington. I decided to add some time to this route to detour to some locations in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. We’re getting close!

Chance was loving this portion of the drive with her head out the window

At the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument a house was constructed that is so efficient that it generates far more energy than it uses. Leftover energy is used to charge the park ranger’s electric golf vehicle. The south facing roof maximizes orientation and placement of the photovoltaic solar hot water panels. The park ranger that lives here at the Painted Hills lives free from fossil fuels.

The first destination was the Painted Hill s Unit. The yellows, golds, blacks and reads were gorgeous! The Painted Hills are made of heavily eroded volcanic ash layers.

Joe and Chance at the Painted Hills Unit at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Joe really likes this tree

Jackie at the Painted Hills Unit at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Painted Cove Trail boardwalk

Joe and Chance on the Painted Cove Trail at the Painted Hills Unit at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Jackie and Chance on the Painted Cove Trail at the Painted Hills Unit at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Water in the distance on Painted Cove Trail

Jackie at the Painted Cove Trail in the Painted Hills Unit at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Hot Chance!

Trees growing in the desert

Next I directed us to Clarno Unit, which seemed real close on the map but took forever to get to.

On the drive from the Painted Hills Unit to the Clarno Unit we started to worry about where we would find the next gas station. There was nothing in Fossil.

The Palisades are the most prominent landform. The volcanic mudflows preserve a diverse assortment of plants and animals that inhabited a near-tropical forest.

We finally made it off Hwy 218 at Shaniko, a literal ghost town so obviously no gas station. We stopped at a shop asking where the closest gas station was. The next gas station was 60 miles away! Yikes! Here’s hoping we can make it!

Mt Hood (I think) on our drive

Chance is just ready to get there. The sun is too much for her eyes on the drive.

Sneak peaks of Mt Rainier on our drive in Oregon

We finally did arrive at the Hwy 197 and I-84 junction in The Dalles where we still had 20 miles left of gas. Phew we made it! Word to the wise: the eastern state high desert is not the best place to not keep a half tank of gas every time to leave a big city.

Wind Farm in the Columbia River Gorge area

Windsurfers near The Dalles

Windsurfers from Hood River Waterfront Park

The Hood River Bridge from the Hood River Waterfront Park

We hiked the 1 mile Wahclella Falls Trail loop, a must-do easy hikes in the Gorge.

Munra Falls

Tanner Creek

Daddy and Chance beginning to climb

Munra Point rock faces along Wahclella Falls Trail

Wahclella Falls

Joe and Chance at Wahclella Falls

Joe at Wahclella Falls

Joe and Chance crossing the bridge over Tanner Creek

Tanner Creek from the bridge

Wahclella Falls and Tanner Creek

Chance getting a drink in Tanner Creek

Fern outcropping cave

Joe and Chance on the trail

Tanner Creek

After the hike we drove across the tolled Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia River from Oregon to our cabin in Stevenson, Washington.

We stayed at Columbia Gorge Riverside Lodge in the Dreamcatcher cabin with a kitchenette, large deck, shared outdoor hot tub.

We enjoyed the hot tub and got a great recommendation from the neighbor to go see the less visited Latourell Falls after Multnomah Falls. Jackie made dinner in the kitchenette and we enjoyed a bottle of wine. The cabin was hot but Pandora radio with charging phones and playing card games kept the night eventful.

The next morning we made it to Multnomah Falls where the parking lot was almost full already.

Multnomah Falls drops in 2 major steps, the upper falls drop 542 feet and the lower falls descend 69 feet, totaling 627 feet!

A foot trail leads to Benson Footbridge which allows visitors to cross 105 feet above the lower cascade.

Upper Multnomah Falls

Jackie on Benson Bridge at Multnomah Falls

Jackie at Multnomah Falls

We hiked some of the Angel’s Rest Trail with good views of the Columbia River Gorge.

Once we made it to the first view of a waterfall we turned around.

Latourell Falls is a short jaunt to a clear viewpoint. It is a 249 feet plunge all year round.

Joe at Latourell Falls

Latourell Falls

Latourell Creek

Jackie at Latourell Falls

Joe and Jackie at Latourell Falls

Vista Point atop Crown Point built in 1918 to be a haven for sightseers at simply a great rest-house with a wonderful view from this great scenic highway. It is designated a registered National Landmark.