Watercolor images of the
Columbia River Gorge courtesy of
Marilyn Wood Bolles
River House Art Gallery & Studio
Stevenson Washington

 

Exploring Excursions (© 2000, Marilyn Wood Bolles)

WE OFFER A VARIETY OF SCENIC AND HISTORIC TOURS. Much of the area has not changed since the days of Lewis and Clark. You will see many natural and man made wonders, including the evidence of massive Ice Age floods unique to this area. Select from our tours or customize your own, making whatever stops you want along the way. All times are approximate.

Actual times may vary depending ont he number and length of the stops you choose. Admission fees and lunch can be arranged at a small additional cost. We provide non-alcoholic beverages and local snacks with all of our tours.

LEWIS AND CLARK — CORPS OF DISCOVERY (4 – 8 hours). Come with us as we travel in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they journeyed through the Columbia River Gorge on their quest to the Pacific Ocean. Visit "Rock Fort" and other historical sites along the route. See ancient Indian petroglyphs near where the great Trade Mart of the west once thrived. Imagine what it was like 200 years ago before the cities, freeways, and dams were built.

EAST GORGE (4 – 8 hours). View windsurfers as they jibe near land and travel the paths that Lewis and Clark took 200 years ago. See ancient Indian petroglyphs near where a native village once thrived/ Experience Maryhill and a life-sized replica of Stonehenge before returning past Native American fishing sites. basalt rock cliffs, and popular windsurfing areas/ Stop to gaze at murals depicting earlier times and events and/or take the Historic Scenic Highway for vistas of the eastern gorge. This tour would not be complete without a stop at the Discovery Center and Wasco County Museum.

WEST GORGE (4 – 8 hours). Travel to historic Cascade Locks and the legendary "Bridge of the Gods". Tour Bonneville Dam, the Historic Scenic Highway, Multnomah Falls, and the Vista House. Go past Cape Horn, Beacon Rock, and traverse along the Washington shoreline. Check out the shops and art galleries in Stevenson before continuing past "Wind" and "Dog" mountains. See remnants of the Broughton log flume and windsurfers up close at Swell City.

    MOUNT HOOD LOOP-WEST (5 – 8 hours), weather permitting). Head south through the beautiful Hood River valley and into a lush Douglas-fir forest. Travel past the famed Barlow Toll Road where pioneers crossed over the rugged Cascade Mountains. Stop at historic Timberline Lodge and Government Camp at the base of Mt. Hood before returning. Option: Continue west of Mt. Hood and back along the scenic Columbia River Gorge to make a full round trip.

    MOUNT HOOD LOOP-EAST (4 – 6 hours), weather permitting). Travel through some of eastern Oregon's prime winter wheat land. Stop at a glacier-fed waterfall before transitioning back into pine and fir forests. Continue on to historic Timberline Lodge and see majestic Mt. Hood up close and personal. On the return trip stop at pioneer sites along the Barlow Road.


    HOOD RIVER VALLEY "FRUIT LOOP" (4 – 6 hours). Head south and see the many fruit orchards that carpet the fertile valley overseen by Mt. Hood. Stop at family run fruit stands, wineries and markets to sample the local harvest, or have lunch at one of the quaint cafés along the way. Take a guided orchard tour or pick your own fruit (seasonal). Return to see windsurfers and kite boarders dancing with the wind as they skip their way across the mighty Columbia River.

    MT. ADAMS LOOP (WA) (3– 6 hours, weather permitting). Travel north past fruit orchards, open farmland, an untamed river, and small rural communities. See 12,272' high Mount Adams. Stop at a local winery or continue down along the raging white water of the Klickitat River. You adventurers might want to take a guided rafting trip on the wild White Salmon River before returning.

    BARLOW ROAD/OREGON TRAIL (8 hours, weather permitting). Decision at The Dalles — Continue down the treacherous Columbia River to the Willamette Valley or continue overland around Mt. Hood on the Barlow Toll Road? See wagon ruts and grave markers; imagine what it was like for the pioneers in the mid-1800's going over this difficult terrain on the last 100 miles of their journey to the promised land.

    MOUNT ST. HELENS (4 – 8 hours, conditions permitting). Travel back in time to May 18th, 1980 and experience nature's awesome fury. Visit the Johnston Ridge Visitor's Center at the base of Mount St. Helens (if open). See the mountain before, during, and after the devastating eruption that changed the landscape forever. Don't have all day? Travel to a spectacular viewpoint on the south side of the still active volcano instead.

 
Trillium (© 2000, Marilyn Wood Bolles)
We prepare various excursions to fit your group's interest and timelines.
GORGE FACT:

The Cascade Mountain Range was named after "The Cascades", a series of rocky stairstep waterfalls in the western part of the Gorge. Before the Bonneville Dam was constructed, the cascading falls ran down the Columbia for five miles from Stevenson to North Bonneville, WA.

© 2000 - 2008
Cascadia Graphics
& Publishing.

All rights reserved.