Gorge Vistas A Visitor’s Guide to National Forest recreation opportunities in the Gorge

Welcome to the National Scenic Area National Scenic Area 2 Northwest Forest Pass 8 10,000 Years of History 3 Wildflowers 10 Geologic Tour 4 Campgrounds 11 Waterfalls 5 Kids’ Stuff 11 Forest Service Department of Pacific Northwest Agriculture Map & Driving Tour 6 Information Back Cover Region What is a National Scenic Area?

Multnomah Falls You may wonder what a National Scenic Area November 17, 1986, President Ronald Reagan residents about the history, culture and natural is. It’s not a National Forest, or signed it into law. resources of the Gorge. In addition, recreation Wilderness. Instead, it is an area where rural development and resource enhancement pro- The National Scenic Area Act has two and scenic resources are protected while com- grams are some of the other projects directed purposes: munity growth and development is encouraged. by the management plan. 1. To protect and provide for the enhancement For many years, the Columbia River Gorge The National Scenic Area is 15 years old of the scenic, cultural, recreational and natural has been the focus of public attention because and still in its youth. Through the manage- resources of the Gorge; and of its unique natural features, its outstanding ment plan, the Columbia River Gorge will be public recreation opportunities and its im- 2. To protect and support the economy of protected for future generations to experience, portant contribution to the Pacific Northwest the Gorge by encouraging growth to occur in enjoy and value. economy. Concern grew over who should existing urban areas and by allowing future Whether you’re from a local area or visiting, economic development you can help in the future management of the outside these areas if it is Columbia River Gorge. For more information compatible with Gorge about the National Scenic Area, refer to the resources. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area The Act called for a Act Public Law 99-663. You can also contact partnership between the National Scenic Area office and the Gorge the USDA Forest Commission (see back cover). Service, the Columbia River Gorge Commis- sion (a bi-state regional planning agency), the states of and and the six counties with land in the National Scenic Area. The act also called for Looking west from White Salmon inter-agency and tribal manage the Columbia River Gorge and in cooperation and coordination. what way. Not only is the Columbia River The various groups carefully developed a Gorge a natural wonder, it serves as an im- management plan for continued growth of portant transportation corridor and home to recreation and other development opportuni- nearly 72,000 people, industries, businesses, ties while protecting the scenic, cultural and communities, farms and schools. natural resources of the Gorge. The building of A decade ago, the 99th U.S. Congress passed Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA, helped the the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic economy of Skamania County, an area where Area Act creating the 295,000-acre Columbia the timber industry was suffering. The Discov- River Gorge National Scenic Area. On ery Center and Museum educates visitors and World-famous windsurfing 10,000 Years of Tradition platform Step Back in Time and History

For over 31,000 years, the Columbia River The U.S. government and the local tribes Columbia and wintering Gorge has supported flourishing civilizations. signed a treaty in 1855. The tribes had fish- at . They re- Evidence of the Folsom and Marmes people, ing rights for thousands of years before the turned upstream the fol- who crossed the Great Continental Divide westward migration of settlers. In the treaty, lowing spring on their from , were found in archaeological digs. they reserved their rights while losing their journey homeward in Excavations at Five Mile Rapids, a few miles lands from conquest and trickery. It is still 1806. The Columbia east of The Dalles, show humans have oc- possible to see American Indians fishing from River Gorge National cupied this ideal salmon fishing site for more platforms with dip nets in the tradition of long Scenic Area is located at than 10,000 years. ago. In addition, ancient and pic- a point in the journey of tographs are still visible on stone walls along the Corps of Discovery where, despite being Ancestors of today’s Yakama, Warm Springs, the Columbia. so close to their goal of the Pacific Ocean, the Umatilla and tribal nations lived Corps made significant observations and had and fished along the river’s banks. Tribes , William Clark, and their important encounters with the Native people. from all over western North America would Corps of Discovery descended the Columbia At this point in their journey, Lewis & Clark come to this area to trade for dried, smoked River in dugout canoes in the fall of 1805, traveled mostly by river. The numerous rapids salmon. reaching their goal at the mouth of the and falls were hazardous and despite chal- lenges in the Gorge, the Corps of Discovery took time to continue their scientific observa- Where to visit Gorge History tions and described several hundred species of • : Exhibits include Indian baskets & stone tools. plants and animals, some for the first time. • Celilo Park: Historic Native American fishing grounds. The Corps of Discovery portaged around these great falls, now under water. The magnificent resources of the Gorge • The Dalles : This area was the center of trade for tribes from the lured explorers and fur traders westward. Plains to the Pacific. Botanist David Douglas and ornithologist • Columbia Hills : Camp site for Lewis & Clark; view petro- John Townsend, “the bird chief,” explored glyphs by appointment only, 509-767-1159. and documented geology, geography, plants • Rock Fort: Lewis & Clark encampment in The Dalles. and animals. When they were in the western region of the Gorge, they recorded they had • Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum: difficulty sleeping at night because the many Official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) birds in the area were so loud. From reports Area. Includes exhibits, films and special programs in The Dalles. and illustrations of their travel, people’s • : Named for the offshore island used by early Indians as a burial ground and curiosity of moving westward developed. described by Lewis & Clark. • County Historical Museum: Displays of Indian artifacts including Klickitat baskets. In 1843, about 900 people braved the 2,000 • Cascade Locks Marine Park and Historical Museum: At the of the Columbia, now under mile to reach the Willamette water, Lewis & Clark observed evidence of a massive landslide that had once blocked the river and Valley. By 1849, approximately 11,500 pio- gave rise to the myth of “The Bridge of the Gods.” neers poured into Oregon, forever changing • Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center: Historic Skamania County and Columbia River exhibits. life in the Columbia Gorge. • Eagle Creek Picnic Area, Campground and Trail: the first campground in the National Forest sys- Remnants of fish wheels, artifacts, petroglyphs tem, Civilian Conservation Corps structures circa 1930s. and pictographs are visible to history buffs, as well • Visitor Center and the Fort Cascades Historic Trail: Fish viewing windows, river as Oregon’s first steam locomotives and cultural history, visitor center and trails. influences of Chinese cannery workers. Steam- • : Point where the Corps first noted the tidal influence of the Pacific Ocean. boats, railroads and highways replaced canoes • : Lewis & Clark encampment. and rafts, and the Columbia Gorge remains a • at State Park: The original “comfort station” on the Historic Columbia major transportation route through the Cascade River Highway. Mountain Range. Today, the river continues to • Lewis & Clark Recreation Site: The Corps’ hunters explored this area at the mouth of the . carry grain, livestock, lumber, fruit and vegetables grown and processed in the Columbia Basin. BEACON ROCK, named by Lewis and Clark in 1805, rises 800 Geologic Tour feet above the Columbia River. Its shear sides exhibit vertical Along the western columnar joint- ing on a large scale. Beacon Rock is actually the erosional remains of an portion of the Historic ancient shield volcano’s plug. At you can Columbia River Highway see entablature jointing. This is a distinctive jointing pattern found in the Columbia River ROOSTER is the highest wa- flows. Stress, ROCK is part terfall in the Columbia River Gorge with a total produced when lava of a landslide drop of 620 feet. Rapid uplift of this region over cools and contracts, between Crown the last two million years has forced the Colum- causes joints to Point and the bia River to incise the Gorge we see today. form. Columnar rock itself. The However, joints (colonnades) landslide was side streams, are found below possibly trig- like Mult- the entablature. gered by the nomah They were formed . Creek, did perpendicular to the lower cooling surface and Much of the not have the are beautiful prisms and columns. You can also landslide has erosive power see such jointing at Shepperds Dell, Crown Point been eroded of the Co- and Multnomah Falls. away leaving the lumbia River rock standing and were left BONNEVILLE DAM (Bonneville Land- alone. Rooster behind to slides). 500 to 800 years ago, a large portion Rock is made plunge off the of Table Mountain collapsed and slid into the of the same lava flow exposed at Crown Point, Gorge’s basalt Columbia River. This event, known as the which is an entablature-colonnade jointed block cliffs. Mult- Bonneville Landslides, forced the entire river to of Columbia River basalt. nomah Falls weave south. The landslide produced the Cas- is a “side-ef- cade Rapids on the Columbia which were nearly PILLOW LAVA can be seen clearly along fect” of the impassable by the Historic Columbia River Highway, east of geologic raft for early Crown Point origin of the pioneers. The and near the Gorge. landslide was top of likely the Multnomah basis for the Falls. When Prepared by State University Geology Capstone “Bridge of the students in partnership with the USDA Forest Service molten lava Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area December 1997. Gods” legend. flows into water, it be- comes pillow lava which Where did this place come from? are spherical masses. The pillowing effect is due Once upon a time, 40 million years ago . . . to water quickly cooling the hot lava. The story of the Columbia River Gorge begins The walls of the Gorge were further altered by with the fiery volcanoes of the Cascade Moun- massive landslides. Recent geologic activity can tain Range. Over the centuries these volcanoes be viewed today off I-84 at Dodson, where a left lava and mudflows up to two miles thick. wide flow of debris moved houses and wiped out Remnants of these flows can still be seen in the a community’s infrastructure in 1996. cliffs of the Gorge. The Columbia River cut a deep through the lava, ash and mud. The natural elements of the Gorge adapt to its magificent geology, creating a mosaic of eco- The greatest force in the Gorge’s creation was systems – from the wet, emerald forests of the flooding. About 15,000 years ago, near the end western Gorge to pine-oak woodlands and the of the last Ice Age, gigantic floods up to 1,200 arid, grassy savannahs of the east. The Colum- feet deep swept down the river corridor and bia River Gorge is the only sea level passage scoured its cliffs, leaving its tributary streams through the Cascade Mountain Range — from hanging high above the river’s bed. Today, many the river, the Gorge rises to 4,055-foot Larch CROWN POINT is a 14.5 million year old streams cascade down the cliffs creating one of Mountain, a rapid change from sea level to sub- Columbia River basalt flow which filled a former the world’s greatest concentrations of waterfalls. alpine environment. canyon of the Columbia River. Trickling, Misting, Spraying, Cascading . . . Have we got waterfalls!

Triple Falls photo by Peter Marbach The Columbia River Gorge is famous for its falls — 77 on the Oregon side alone! They come in all shapes and sizes. Waterfall watchers (be careful, you could become one!) classify them into eight forms — plunge, horsetail, fan, cascade, punchbowl, block, tier, and segmented. Starting to sound complicated? It’s simpler than it sounds. You can see examples of each of these waterfall shapes on a tour of the Historic Columbia River Highway . . . and just beyond. A HORSETAIL looks just like a A FAN descends from a stream horsetail. Dropping vertically, it maintains contact with bedrock. A PLUNGE drops above and is similar to a horsetail but it gets broader or “fans out” at Oneonta and (of course) Horse- vertically and away tail Falls are good examples. from the cliffside, los- the bottom. See fan-shaped falls by ing contact with bed- hiking the Wahkeena Trail #420 a rock. Multnomah Falls little over a mile from the is a classic example trailhead to . and so is Latourell Falls. A TIER falls, then falls, then falls again. It has several “tiers” — separate falls that can all be viewed all at once. Wahkeena is A CASCADE tumbles along a series of rock tiered as well as Bridal Veil. steps. You’ll find a fine model by following the directions to Dutchman Falls, then hiking .2 of a mile — a total of 1.9 miles from the trailhead — to Upper Multnomah Falls, near the junction with Wahkeena Trail, #420. PUNCHBOWLS pour SEGMENTS separate out of a narrow open- into several parts. Ex- ing in the stream and A BLOCK pours over a wide section of a amples include Triple Falls into a pool. Punchbowl stream. Dutchman Falls along upper Mult- on Oneonta Trail #424, Falls, a 2.1 mile hike on nomah Creek is a block shape and can be and upper McCord Creek the Eagle Creek Trail, seen at the 1.7 mile point on Larch Mountain Falls, on the features a viewpoint and Trail #441. The trail starts at the east side of Trail out of John B. Yeon bench — the perfect com- Multnomah Falls Lodge. State Park. bination for a rest stop. Washington Side: Driving Distances North Bingen Vancouver Camas Skamania Bonneville Stevenson W Salmon Lyle Wishram Biggs Explore the Vancouver 0 11 29 39 42 64 74 94 102 Camas 11 0 18 28 31 53 63 83 91 Skamania 29 18 0 10 13 35 45 65 73 N Bonneville 39 28 10 0 3 25 35 55 63 Stevenson 42 31 13 3 0 22 32 52 60 Bingen Columbia W Salmon 64 53 35 25 22 0 10 30 38 Lyle 74 63 45 35 32 10 0 20 28 Wishram 94 83 65 55 52 30 20 0 8 River Gorge! Biggs 102 91 73 63 60 38 28 8 0

It’s easy to navigate through the Columbia River Gorge. State Route 14 on the Washington side and Interstate 84 on the Oregon side are the main highways along the Columbia River. Four bridges help you get from one side of the river to the other: Cascade Locks/Stevenson; Hood River/Bingen; The Dalles/ Dallesport, and Biggs/Maryhill. Buckle up, drive safely and enjoy!

1 Cape Horn Viewpoint is a vista 4 Bonneville Lock and Dam was 9 Drano Lake, the Little White with a gorgeous panorama of the west built in 1937; its second powerhouse Salmon River estuary, is popular end of the Columbia River Gorge. was built in 1981. Visitor centers are for boating and fishing. Upstream 2 Sams Walker Day Use Site located on both sides of the river, is the Little White Salmon/Wil- on Skamania Landing offers a 1.7 with a fish hatchery on the Oregon lard National Fish Hatchery with mile roundtrip universal access trail side. two facilities for Chinook and Coho with a picnic site, interpretive signs 5 The Bridge of the Gods is salmon. Visitors welcome. and views of the Oregon side of the named from Native American leg- 10 The White Salmon National Gorge. Turn south onto the west end in which a stone arch built by Wild and Scenic River is famous entrance road to Skamania Landing the gods spanned the mighty river. for its white water rapids. Kayak- near the town of Skamania. Be careful Today, a toll bridge of the same ers and rafters can launch from the as you cross the railroad tracks! The name, built in 1926, crosses the town of BZ Corners, up S.R. 141. parking lot is 0.3 mile on the right. river and is also a part of the Pa- 11 Bingen and White Salmon are 3 Beacon Rock is an 848-foot-high cific Crest National Scenic Trail, neighboring towns with German- remnant of an ancient volcano. A which runs from Mexico to Canada. style buildings in their commercial well-engineered trail leads to the 6 Stevenson, the seat of Skamania business areas. Wineries, fruit stands, top where a grand view awaits you. County, hosts Skamania Lodge shops, restaurants and bed & break- There are also picnicking, additional Conference Center and the Colum- fast accommodations await visitors. hiking trails, boating and camping. bia Gorge Interpretive Center. 12 Catherine Creek, home to the Visit the U.S. Forest Columbia River Gorge’s newest Service Information multi-access trail, runs through the Center at Skamania heart of a wildflower area. The trail Lodge where our infor- is a 1-mile loop. mation specialists are happy to answer ques- 13 The flows tions about the Columbia into the Columbia at the town of 16 You can camp, picnic, boat River Gorge and help Lyle. From here you can make a and fish at the you plan your visit. scenic loop drive. S.R. 142 traverses State Recreation Area. It’s noted the rugged Klicktat River canyon 7 Carson is an entry for trout and steelhead fishing and through the town of Klickitat and white water rafting. Upriver from point to the Gifford ends at Goldendale; take S.R. 97 Pinchot National the park, you can see wagon wheel south back to S.R. 14 at the Colum- tracks of the Oregon Trail. Forest where you can bia River. camp, fish, hunt, hike, 17 The Dalles, the first end of the cross country ski and 14 At Columbia Hills State Park, Oregon Trail, is an agricultural see views of Mount St. you can swim, rock climb, boat and center surrounded by cherry or- Helens. fish. To view the park’s ancient pic- chards and wheat fields. Visit the tographs and petroglyphs, call (509) Fort Dalles Historical Museum or 8 767-1159. Trail (FS Trail #147) windsurf at Riverfront Park. The leads to the 2,948-foot 15 The permanent collection at Columbia Gorge Discovery Cen- Dog Mountain sum- Maryhill Museum includes Auguste ter and Wasco County Historical mit where you can see Rodin and Native American collec- Museum, at Crate’s Point, tell the gorgeous views from tions, the Romanian Queen Marie rich cultural and natural stories of several vistas. This trail Gallery, a chess set collection and the Columbia River Gorge. Inter- is popular for wildflower miniature French fashion mannequins. preters, exhibits, information, café enthusiasts, especially in The museum, a mansion, was built in and a gift shop await you at this the spring. 1907 by visionary settler Sam Hill. scenic site. Dog Mountain by Peter Marbach Washington Side: Driving Distances North Bingen Vancouver Camas Skamania Bonneville Stevenson W Salmon Lyle Wishram Biggs Vancouver 0 11 29 39 42 64 74 94 102 Camas 11 0 18 28 31 53 63 83 91 Skamania 29 18 0 10 13 35 45 65 73 N Bonneville 39 28 10 0 3 25 35 55 63 Stevenson 42 31 13 3 0 22 32 52 60 Bingen W Salmon 64 53 35 25 22 0 10 30 38 Lyle 74 63 45 35 32 10 0 20 28 Wishram 94 83 65 55 52 30 20 0 8 Biggs 102 91 73 63 60 38 28 8 0

10

11 13 7 9 12 6 8 15 19 14 4 5 21 20 18 16 1 2 3 22 23 24 17 26 25 28 27

Oregon Side: Driving Distances Bonneville Cascade Hood The Portland Troutdale Dam Locks River Mosier Rowena Dalles Biggs Portland 0 15 39 44 63 68 75 84 101 Troutdale 15 0 24 29 48 53 60 69 86 Bonneville Dam 39 24 0 5 24 29 36 45 71 Cascade Locks 44 29 5 0 19 24 31 40 57 Hood River 63 48 24 19 0 5 12 21 38 Mosier 68 53 29 24 5 0 7 16 33 Rowena 75 60 36 31 12 7 0 9 26 The Dalles 84 69 45 40 21 16 9 0 17 Biggs 101 86 71 57 38 33 26 17 0

18 Between The Dalles and Mosier, locks have been unused since the Trail (FS Trail #424) 26 The waterfall area on the the Tom McCall Nature Preserve cascades were covered by water to see Oneonta Gorge, Oneonta Historic Columbia River Highway crests a drivable section of the His- pooled by the Bonneville Dam in Falls and Triple Falls. west of Multnomah Falls includes toric Columbia River Highway. 1937. At Marine Park is a Histori- Latourel, Shepperds Dell, Bridal Oneonta Gorge, a cool mossy The nature preserve is a noteworthy cal Museum and the Sternwheeler, 24 Veil, and Wahkeena. Wahkeena canyon, is a unique botanical area. wildflower area. Columbia Gorge. Excursions are Falls Picnic Area provides a picnic Oneonta Trail (FS Trail #424) follows available during the summer. shelter, stone fireplace and access 19 From Mosier to Hood River, this skinny gorge to its falls and be- the Historic Highway and Mosier to where cool mist 22 Eagle Creek Trail (FS Trail yond, joining other trails for loop hikes. refreshes you on summer days. Twin Tunnels have been restored #440) is chiseled into the cliffs for non-motorized travel. above Eagle Creek. The trail passes 25 Multnomah Falls, the second 27 Crown Point State Park, 733 feet highest year-round waterfall in the above the Columbia River, commands 20 Hood River, the windsurfing Metlako, Punch Bowl, Loowit United States, is two-tiered and a 30-mile view of the Gorge. Vista capital of North America, is also and Tunnel Falls before it joins the drops 620 feet. A steep paved trail House is a beautiful, octagonal build- famous for fruit and produces over Pacific Crest Trail. Picnic areas leads visitors to a platform above ing built in 1916, where the Historic 1/3 of the nation’s winter pears. The and campgrounds are available. the falls. The waterfall is visually Columbia River Highway was dedi- Hood River Valley and its orchards 23 Trail (FS Trail complimented by Benson Bridge, cated. A visitor center and gift shop provide a spectacular gateway to #438), off the Historic Columbia built in 1914 by Italian stone ma- operate from May 1 to October 15. Mt. Hood up Hwy 35. River Highway, is a worthwhile sons, and Multnomah Falls Lodge 28 Portland Women’s Forum State 21 Cascade Locks is named after effort. Start at Horsetail Falls and built in 1925. Inside the Lodge is a Park is an impressive viewpoint and its navigation locks which moved then pass through a chamber behind gift shop, restaurant and U.S. Forest famous photo opportunity on the ships past cascades in the river. The Ponytail Falls. Continue on Service Information Center. Historic Columbia River Highway. Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act

What is the Federal Lands Recreation How much is a Northwest Enhancement Act? Forest Pass? The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Annual Pass: $30. Good for one Act (REA), signed into law in December, 2004, year from the month and year allows federal land management agencies, such of purchase. For example, a pass as the Forest Service, to continue investing in purchased May 10, 2005 America’s recreation future by charging modest would expire on May fees at campgrounds, rental cabins and other high- 31, 2006. Passes are impact recreation sites until December, 2014. The interchangeable between Act replaces the 1996 Recreation Fee Demonstra- vehicles in the same tion authority. Under the Act, the Forest Service household. Golden Age Passport: A lifetime pass avail- will continue to provide a variety of outdoor Day-use Pass: $5. Day able to citizens and permanent U.S. residents recreation opportunities that are free of charge. passes must be self-validat- who are 62 years of age or older. This pass sells The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic ed prior to use. Day passes for a one-time $10 fee, and offers some addition- Area has reviewed all current recreation fee sites, are no longer sold at a Golden Passport discount. al recreation discounts. services and facilities to determine if they meet Volunteers who help maintain trails for two Golden Access Passport: A free, lifetime pass specific requriements outlined in the Act. Based days may receive an annual pass in recognition available to citizens and permanent U.S. resi- on that assessment, the Columbia River Gorge of their contribution. Contact our office for infor- dents who have been medically determined to National Scenic Area did not make any changes mation on volunteer opportunities. be blind or permanently disabled. to the fee program. Indian Tribes: Federally recognized tribes For more information about the Recreation receive administrative passes upon request for Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass: Fee program and the Federal Lands Recreation access and use activities. “More Pass More Play” Enhancement Act, please visit: www.fs.fed.us/ The Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass, Where can I get a Northwest Forest Pass? recreation/programs/recfee. an annual day-use pass, is honored at all Forest Local Businesses/Vendors: Available at over Service, , Bureau of Land How does the Federal Lands Recreation 250 chambers of commerce, information centers, Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sites Enhancement Act help recreation? and stores in Oregon and Washington. in Oregon and Washington as well as 26 Oregon Implementing the Federal Lands Recreaton Nature of the Northwest: www.naturenw.org. State Parks, 20 Washington State Parks and 6 U.S. Enhancement Act helps the Columbia River National Forest Foundation: www.natlforests.org. Army Corps of Engineers recreation sites. The Gorge National Scenic Area deliver high quality Call toll-free 1-877-465-2727 weekdays, 6:00am to pass sells for $85 and is valid for one year. recreation services for the public over the next 6:00pm. (NFF also sells Golden Eagle Passports.) decade. Fees are only one part of a comprehen- Northwest Forest Pass Information Line: sive rereation funding strategy, which includes Call toll-free 1-800-270-7504, weekdays, 9-5:00pm You need a Northwest Forest Pass to congressionally-designated funds, volunteer park at these National Forest assistance, interagency cooperation, partnerships, Golden Passport Program Golden Passports are accepted at all North- Trailheads and Picnic Areas: commercial operations, and funds leveraged from other sources. The majority of revenues west Forest Pass sites, plus all Forest Service, Bridge of the Gods will continue to be used for maintaining trails National Park Service, Bureau of Land Manage- Dog Mountain and trailheads, cleaning and maintaining ment, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sites Eagle Creek recreation sites and restrooms, and to provide charging entrance/use fees. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act will eventually safety and security at recreation sites. Larch Mountain merge current nation-wide interagency passes North Bonneville Do you still need a Northwest Forest Pass? into one, which will be called the “America the The Northwest Forest Pass program will con- Beautiful.” In the meantime, current interagency Sams Walker tinue under the new legislation. In the Columbia passes, including the Golden Eagle Passport, St. Cloud River Gorge National Scenic Area, only those sites Golden Age Passport, Golden Access Passport, Wahclella listed on the right require Northwest Forest Passes. and the National Parks Pass, will continue to be Wyeth sold and honored. $30 Annual Northwest Forest Pass $5 Day-use Pass Some trails in the Northwest are not managed by Golden Eagle Passport: An annual pass which the Forest Service and thus do not require a North- sells for $65 and expires at the end of the pur- ~ west Forest Pass. However, some of those trails Forest Service Fee Campgrounds: may require fees. Contact the agency which man- chase month of the following year. A National ages the trail (National Park Service, Oregon Parks Pass may be upgraded to a Golden Eagle Eagle Creek State Parks, Washington State Parks) for fee and Passport by purchasing a Golden Eagle Holo- Herman Creek parking pass details. During the winter, some gram stamp for an additional $15 from all federal trailheads become Sno-Parks; Northwest Forest Wyeth land management agencies that participate in the Eagle Creek Overlook Group Site Passes are not valid in these areas. Golden Eagle program. Gorgeous and Fun Northwest Forest Pass Trails

Sams Walker Trail #4402 Access: From I-84 east, take Cascade Locks Dog Mountain Trail #147 Length/Elevation: 1.1 miles/60 feet exit #44. Drive 1 mile through town and Length/Elevation: 3.1 miles/60 to 2860 feet Seasons: All under I-84 to entrance ramp. Cross entrance Seasons: Spring to Fall Difficulty: Universal access, Easy ramp to frontage road and drive 1.6 miles to Difficulty: Most difficult Attractions: Wildflowers, wildlife, Columbia Herman Creek. Turn right into campgrond Attractions: Wildflowers and outstanding River and Horsetail Falls views, one picnic area. and follow road to trail. views of the Gorge. Access: 10 miles west of Bonneville Dam on Access: 13 miles east of Stevenson, WA on SR 14. Washington State Route 14. Turn south on Ska- Wyeth Trail #441 mania Landing Road and proceed 1/4 mile. Length/Elevation: 6.2 miles/200 to 3920 feet Pacific Crest Trail #2000, The trailhead and parking lot are on Seasons: mid-Spring to late Fall south from Bridge of the Gods west side of the road. Difficulty: Difficult Length/Elevation: NA / starts at 180 feet Attractions: North Lake, wildflowers and Seasons: Spring to Fall Wahclella Trail #436 dense stands of fir and hemlock. Difficulty: Depends on how far hiker goes. Length/Elevation: 1 mile/500 to 800 feet Access: I-84 take Wyeth exit #51. Turn west Attractions: Junction with the Gorge Trail Seasons: All on Wyeth Road and drive into the camp- #400, Teakettle Spring (7.1 mi.), Difficulty: Easy to moderate ground. Trailhead is on the west side of the at Eagle Creek Trail junction (15.6 mi.), In- Attractions: Thunderouse Wahclella Falls, campground. dian Springs Campground (18.2 mi.), Ramona Wahclella Creek, fall colors. Falles (38.8 mi.), Timberline Lodge (49.4 mi.). Access: From I-84 east, take Bonneville Dam Larch Mountain Trail #441 Length/Elevation: 6.8 miles/800 to 4056 feet Access: From I-84, exit at Cascade Locks. Follow exit #40. Trailhead is well marked where the signs to Bridge of the Gods; park near the bridge. off-ramp meets Hwy 30. Seasons: mid-Spring to early Winter Difficulty: Moderate The trail starts to the south, across the road. Herman Creek Trail #406 Attractions: At Sherrard Point–panoramic Pacific Crest Trail #2000, view of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Length/Elevation: 11.2 miles/100 to 4240 feet north from Bonneville Trailhead Seasons: Spring to mid-Winter Mt. Rainier, Mt. Jefferson, Portland, the Gorge Length/Elevation: NA/starts at 180 feet Difficulty: Moderate and Bull Run Watershed. Toilets are at Larch Seasons: Spring to Fall Attractions: Horses allowed. Explores larg- Mt. Picnic Ground. Difficulty: Depends on how far hiker goes. est old growth forest in the Columbia River Access: From I-84, take Corbett exit #22. Go Attractions: Horse access, Gillette Lake Gorge. Features waterfalls, moss carpeted up Corbett Hill, turn left on Hwy 30, drive 5 (3.8mi.), spring near Table Mountain (9.7 mi.), creeks, sub-alpine lake and vistas. miles to Larch Mt. Road turnoff on the right. spur trail to Three Corner Rock water trough Take Larch Mt. Road for 14 miles to picnic (15.3 mi.), Rock Creek (20.3 mi.), Big Huckle- ground and trailhead. berry Mountain summit trail (44.2 mi.). Eagle Creek Trail #440 Access: Trailhead is on the north side of S.R. Length/Elevation: 13.2 miles/110 to 3360 feet 14 across from the second powerhouse of Seasons: Spring to late Fall. Bonneville Dam. From I-84, take Bridge of the Difficulty: Easy but may not be suitable for chil- Gods to WA, turn west on SR 14, drive about dren since there are sheer cliffs without guard rails 2 miles to the trailhead. Attractions: Some sections of trail carved into basalt cliffs, , High Bridge– Theft from cars is a problem at 150 feet above the creek, Tunnel Falls. trailheads and recreation areas! Access: From I-84 east, take exit #41. There’s no • Do not leave valuables in your car. westbound exit at Eagle Creek – exit at Bonne- • Do not leave belongings visible ville Dam and backtrack on I-84 to exit #41. through car windows. Wild About Endemic Wildflowers!

endemic \en-dem-ik\ adj: restricted or peculiar to a locality or region

Balsam root with rainbow Thanks to the Gorge’s wide ranges of elevation middle sections of the Gorge. Mid-March: SR 14 east of Lyle (MP 77-81), and precipitation, a diverse collection of wild- Mid-June: Columbia River shore at Wyeth Historic Columbia River Highway, and I-84 flowers thrive from the temperate rain forest at Late June-early July: Historic Highway at east of Memaloose State Park. Oneonta Gorge (average annual precipitation Multnomah Falls and Shepperd’s Dell Mid-May: Near the top of Monte Carlo. 75 inches) to the grasslands at Celilo (average Mid-July: Top of Angel’s Rest. Columbia Gorge Broad-Leaf Lupine (Lu- precipitation 12 inches). Howell’s Daisy (Erigeron howellii): On the pinus latifolius var. thompsonianus): Found Without a question, there is no place like the Oregon side, the rocky slopes facing north or in open woods and grasslands in the eastern Gorge with its unique wildflowers. What would east at all elevations in the west Gorge host Gorge, these elegant bunches of lavender pea be a wildflower visit to the Gorge without a these white-petaled daisies. petals thrive mainly on the Washington side. visit to see the area’s endemics, species only Late May: Multnomah Falls Late April: Old highway at Rowland Lake, SR found in the Columbia River Gorge and its Early July: Top of Larch Mountain. 14 at The Dalles Bridge Road (US 197) junction vicinity. Listed below are when and where you Late May: The Dalles Mountain Road, mostly Columbia Kittentail (Synthyris stellata): This can find some of these special plants: at the top. delicate blue Kittentail is found on north fac- Barrett’s Penstemon (Penstemon barrettiae): ing shaded banks, cliffs, and ridges in the west Poet’s Shooting Star (Dodecatheon A member of the figwort family, this Gorge, chiefly on the Oregon side. poeticum): These fuschia and 8-24 inch pink wildflower is found in Late March-early April: Historic Columbia yellow flowers, with petals looking rocky areas, talus slopes and cliffs River Highway from Wahkeena Falls to Horse- as if they are turned inside-out, grow between Hood River and Lyle, tail Falls. on open or lightly-wooded, moist mostly at low elevations. slopes and along streams between Suksdorf’s Desert Parsley (Lomatium suks- Early-mid May: Cliffs along Dog Mountain and Horsethief Butte. dorfii): This 2-6 foot yellow burst of blossom the Historic Columbia River Late March-Early April: grows in grasslands or open woods at middle Highway east of Hood River; Memaloose Viewpoint, Tom to high elevations between the Little White County Rd. 1230 in Bingen. McCall Nature Preserve, SR 14 Salmon River and The Dalles. east of Lyle Tunnel (MP 77-81) Late April-early May: Upper section of the Columbia Gorge Daisy (Erig- Mid-April: Dry Creek Road at Chenowith Road, Major Creek Road eron oreganus): The thin, white petals of this MP 3-4. flower, which generally grows on the Oregon Late May-early June: Top of Nestor Peak. Hood River Milk-Vetch (Astragalus hoodi- side, can be found under overhanging basalt Smooth Desert Parsley (Lomatium lae- anus): The cream-colored, long and thin petals cliffs in the west end of the Gorge. vigatum): This wildflower looks similar to of the milk-vetch grow in open or lightly Mid-June: Oneonta Gorge, Latourell Falls, and the Suksdorf Desert Parsley, but is only 6-24 wooded areas at low to middle elevations McCord Creek Falls. inches high. At low elevations, it grows in between the White Salmon Wild and Scenic open, rocky areas and basalt cliffs along the Oregon Sullivantia (Sullivantia oregana): River and Horsethief Lake State Park. Columbia River, east of The Dalles. These delicate, white flowers can be viewed at Late April-early May: US 30 at the west edge Early March: Rocky shores of the Columbia wet cliffs near waterfalls at low elevations in of (MP 6.5), SR 14 near The River near Visitor Center the west end of the Gorge on the Oregon side. Dalles Bridge Road (US 197) junction. Mid-March: Cliffs at the east edge of Wishram Early July: Multnomah Falls. Mid-May: Hood River Mountain Meadow. Late March-early April: Cliffs at the north end Smooth-leaf Douglasia (Douglasia laevigata of the US 97 Bridge. var. laevigata): The blush pink petals of the The Dalles Mountain Buttercup (Ranuncu- Douglasia blossom grow along basalt cliffs Columbia Desert Parsley (Lomatium lus reconditus): These yellow-petaled flow- and rock outcrops at low to middle elevations columbianum): This 12-30 inch ers bloom in open grasslands on top of the between Crown and . parsley resembles the Smooth Columbia Hills in Washington and similar Late March-early April: I-84 at Mitchell Point Desert Parsley, but its areas near the heads of Mill Creek and Mosier Early April: Trail to top of McCord Creek Falls. petals are bright, rich Creek in Oregon. pink, and it’s found Early-mid March: The Dalles Mountain Road. Long-Beard Hawkweed (Hieracium longib- along open slopes erbe): The vibrant, yellow, chicory blossoms between the Little For more wildflower information, pick up a of this hawkweed thrive on both cliffs and copy of Wildflowers of the Columbia Gorge by rocky slopes at all elevations in the west and and The Dalles. Russ Jolley. National Forest Campgrounds

Campgrounds are usually open May – mid-October U.S. Forest Campground State Barrier Free Camp Sites Use Fee Drinking Maximum Notes & Beaver Service 12.2 miles Location N off Hwy 14 at Carson, WA No Facilities 19 $13-15-26 Yes Water 25’ Trailer Fishing, Size hiking, Special mushroom picking Campground on Hwy. Activities Beaver Group Camp Forest Rd. 30 WA No 2 $90-95 Yes 25’ Up to 100 people; reservations required Cloud Cap 20 miles S of Parkdale. Cooper OR No 3 $10 Yes NA Views, access to Mt. Hood Wilderness Spur Road & Timberline Trail, no trailers or RVs Eagle Creek Eastbound access off I-84 exit 41 OR Yes 20 $10 Yes 22’ Hiking. Oldest Forest Service camp- Westbound exit 40 & circle back east ground in the National Forest system Eagle Creek Same as above OR No 1 $50 weekdays Yes 22’ Group camping up to 75 people, Overlook 1 group $90 weekends reservations required: 541-308-1712 Eight Mile Crossing 16 miles W of Dufur, 10 miles E OR Yes 21 $10 No 30’ Fishing, hiking, picnicking of Hwy 35 on Road 44 Gibson Prairie Horse Camp 18 miles E of community of Mt. Hood OR No 4 $10 No Trail riding, water for horses Goose Lake (R) 20 miles N of Hwy 14 on Forest Rd 60 WA No 26 $13-15 No 18’ Fishing & lava field Herman Creek Horse Camp Off I-84 at Herman Creek OR No 7 $8 Yes Trail riding Knebel Springs Road 1720, off Road 44, east of Parkdale OR No 8 $10 No Mountain biking Lost Lake 20 miles west of Parkdale OR Yes 125 $18-25 Yes 32’ Boating, fishing, hiking Road 13 Groups $35-45 Mt. Hood view, concessionaire Moss Creek (R) Road 18 off Hwy 14 through WA Yes 17 $13 Yes 32’ Fishing & old growth Willard. 8 miles N. Oklahoma (R) Road 18 off Hwy 14 through WA Yes 23 $13 Yes 22’ Fishing & hiking Willard. 16 miles N.

Panther Creek (R) 9 miles N off Hwy 14 at Carson, on WA No 33 $13-26 Yes 25’ Fishing, hiking, sightseeing Wind River Hwy; right on Old State Road; left at Forest Road 65 Paradise Creek (R) 20.5 miles N off Hwy 14 at WA Yes 42 $13-26 Yes 25’ Fishing, hiking, sightseeing, Carson, on Wind River Hwy wildlife viewing Peterson Prairie (R) Forest Road 24 off Hwy 141, 7 miles W WA Yes 30 $13-26 Yes 32’ Berry picking & hiking of Trout Lake Peterson Prairie See above WA Yes 1 $36-66 Yes 32’ Berry picking & hiking, reservations Group Camp (R) required Nottingham 14 miles S of community of Mt. Hood OR Yes 23 $10-12 No 32’ Stream fishing & hiking on Hwy 35 Rock Creek Reservoir (R) 7 miles W of Wamic off Road 48 OR Yes 33 $12-14 Yes 26’ Boat launch (no motors), fishing, to 4820 fitness trail, access to Sherwood 8 miles S of community of Mt. Hood OR Yes 14 $10 No 16’ Stream fishing & hiking

Tilly Jane 20 miles S of Parkdale, Cooper Spur Road OR No 14 $10 No NA Hiking & historic site, no trailers or RVs Wyeth I-84 to exit 51 E of Cascade Locks OR Yes 16 $10-15 Yes 32’ Hiking & scenic vistas, 3 group sites

(R) = Call toll-free for reservations: (877) 444-6777 Kids’ Stuff Unscramble the Letters . . . Circle pictures of things you might see in the Gorge!

1. ______H A M N O T L M U L L A S F 6. ______7. ______(clue: most famous water drop in the Gorge) G O R T E P H Y P S L F I N D E R S W U R (clue: ancient rock drawings) (clue: like the wind and water)

2. ______T A I G N N A P A D (clue: they are not a toy)

3. ______R A E S S W E R O T 8. ______9. ______(clue: tallest building in the world) E T H M A O L A R U T I F A R C D O R H S (clue: a historic mission) (clue: they grow yummy things)

Discovering the Columbia Gorge Resources 5. ______• Place an “S” on the objects that are scenic resources. 4. ______R E Y S O P • Place a “C” on the objects that are cultural resources. A I T V S E U O S H (clue: they wear a black • Place an “R” on the objects that are recreational resources.

(clue: you can see for miles) mask and fly high above the land) • Place an “N” on the objects that are natural resources.

The Alamo 9. Fruit Orchards Fruit 9. Alamo The 1. Multnomah Falls 2. Giant Panda 3. Sears Tower 4. Vista House 5. Osprey 6. 7. Windsurfer 8. Windsurfer 7. Petroglyph 6. Osprey 5. House Vista 4. Tower Sears 3. Panda Giant 2. Falls Multnomah 1. • Place an “E” on the objects which are economic resources. Additional Resources for More Information

We hope Gorge Vistas has helped you to plan a delightful trip through the Gorge. The National Forests north and south of the Columbia River Gorge are chock full of additional, exciting places to visit. We’re here to help you make this trip the one to drive your friends crazy talking about when you return home! Let us help plan your visit by providing maps, brochures, tour information and directions.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Chambers of Commerce & Visitor Centers USDA Forest Service (541) 308-1700 Columbia River Gorge Visitors Association (800) 98-GORGE 902 Wasco Street, Suite 200 • Hood River, OR 97031 PO Box 271, N. Bonneville, WA 98639 www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia www.crgva.org

Skamania Lodge Forest Service Activities Center (509) 427-2528 Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce (503) 665-1131 1131 Skamania Lodge Drive • Stevenson, WA 98648 701 NE Hood Street • Gresham, OR 97030 Multnomah Falls Forest Service Information Center (503) 695-2372 www.greshamchamber.org

Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon Bonneville Lock and Dam Visitor Center (541) 374-8820 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Cascade Locks, OR 97014-0150 Forest Headquarters (503) 668-1700 www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b 16400 Champion Way • Sandy, OR 97055 www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood Cascade Locks Marine Park (541) 374-8619 Visitor Center and Sternwheeler Hood River Ranger District (541) 352-6002 P.O. Box 307 • Cascade Locks, OR 97014 • www.sternwheeler.com 6780 Highway 35 South • Mt. Hood-Parkdale, OR 97041 Barlow Ranger District (541) 467-2291 Hood River County Chamber of Commerce & Information Center P.O. Box 67 • Dufur, OR 97021 405 Portway Avenue • Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 386-2000 www.hoodriver.org (800) 366-3530 Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce (541) 296-2231 Forest Headquarters (360) 891-5000 404 W. Second Street • The Dalles, OR 97058 (800) 255-3385 10600 N.E. 51st Circle • Vancouver, WA 98682 www.thedalleschamber.com www.fs.fed.us/gpnf Mt. Adams Ranger District (509) 395-3400 The Dalles Lock and Dam Visitor Center and Train (541) 296-9778 2455 Highway 141 • Trout Lake, WA 98650 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • P.O. Box 564 • The Dalles, OR 97058 www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/d/standard/td/td.htm Columbia River Gorge Commission West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce (503) 669-7473 P.O. Box 730 • White Salmon, WA 98672 (509) 493-3323 330 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy • Troutdale, OR 97060 www.gorgecommission.org www.columbiagorgechamber.com Nature of the Northwest Information Center Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce (360) 834-2472 800 N.E. Oregon Street, Room 177 • Portland, OR 97232 (503) 872-2750 P.O. Box 919 • 422 N.E. Forth Avenue www.naturenw.org Camas, WA 98607 • www.cwchamber.com

State Campground Information Skamania County Chamber of Commerce (509) 427-8911 P.O. Box 1037 • 167 N.W. 2nd (800) 989-9178 Oregon & Washington State Parks (800) 452-5687 Stevenson WA 98648 • www.skamania.org Information and Reservations or (503) 731-3411 www.oregonstateparks.org • www.parks.wa.gov Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce (509) 493-3630 Hunting and Fishing Information P.O. Box 449 • White Salmon, WA 98672 www.mtadamschamber.com Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (503) 947-6000 Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (360) 696-6211 Goldendale Chamber of Commerce (509) 773-3400 www.dfw.state.or.us • www.wdfw.wa.gov PO Box 524 • 903 E Broadway • Goldendale, WA 98620 (800) 785-1718 www.goldendalechamber.org Wind and Weather Information Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center (509) 427-8211 Information (541) 386-1336 990 S.W. Rock Creek Drive • Stevenson, WA 98648 www.columbiagorge.org National Wildlife Refuges & Fish Hatcheries of the Columbia Gorge Columbia Gorge Discovery Center (541) 296-8600 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (509) 493-2934 and Wasco County Historical Museum 62301 SR14 • Underwood, WA 98651 5000 Discovery Dr. • The Dalles, OR 97058 http://gorgefish.fws.gov www.gorgediscovery.org We are here to help you plan your trip so remember to stop by and say hello!

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