I’m going to be in Vancouver WA for the next two weeks. I’ve always wanted to see the Gorge. I know I’ll see it out the window of the car coming over the bridge from Portland, but where should I go to really get an eyeful? What’s the absolute most beautiful part of the Gorge that is within an hour’s drive of Vancouver? Is there any place I can rent one of those windsurfer things and have at it, or is that something that requires lessons and practice?
I don’t know how far away from Vancouver this stuff is, but there are a number of places along the gorge as you head toward The Dalles that are worth a stop.
There are a few waterfalls that will catch your eye. One in particular has a large parking lot, a rest area, and a walking path to the top. I’m sure you’ve seen it in posters, but even if you haven’t I’d recommend taking the walk all the way to the top of the falls. It’s called Multnomah Falls.
There are a few places to stop and take in the views. There are a few walking paths. There is also one place I can think of that looks like a crack in a massive wall that is a small stream that goes back as far as I could see from the road. I don’t think it’s an actual tourist stop, but you are free to walk back up the stream on the rocks and take in the scenery. It’s amazing.
Pick up a few suggestions from the locals or the hotel. It’s tough to see much in a day, but if you can take a day trip in a car, there are a few things (like the ones I mentioned) that will fill out your day just fine.
I assume you’re talking about Oneonta Gorge. A wonderful hike, though you may have to get rather wet to get all the way back to the waterfall (it’s been years since I did it and the conditions were always changing as rocks moved and water levels changed.
One thing to note for the OP, almost all of the good stuff is on the Oregon side of the gorge. You can get to Multnomah Falls quickly on I-84 but if you do have time the scenic highway is nice and you can stop at Crown Point as well.
+1 TO Multnomah Falls – if you’re not going hiking, make this your one stop. I like Shepherd’s Dell – two of my grandparents and an aunt have been shovelled off with trowels there, it’s a good spot, I guess.
You can still walk at MF – just not really a wilderness spot, per se. Neither is SD. But it doesn’t sound like you’re much an outdoors freak, so stick with the pack and you can’t go wrong – MF is truly an astonishing sight and you can walk as much as you want, grab some lunch at the lodge, and just have a good time. Have fun!
For windsurfing – go to Hood River/The Dalles. They’ll hook you up, I’m sure.
I would avoid I-84, which goes through The Dalles, probably the ugliest city this side of Wasilla. Instead, drive up highway 12 on the Washington side. It’s much prettier, if slower, although you won’t see the waterfalls. On the plus side: less traffic, far fewer tourists and great views. If you need to get back more quickly, you can always cross at Bridge of the Gods to I-84.
If “within an hour of Vancouver” is wanted, The Dalles will not be approached.
Besides, The Dalles is an important landmark for those heading east. It is the last opportunity for Burgerville.
[Boldness added.]
Sorry to nitpick but I think you mean Highway 14. Highway 12 is farther north and doesn’t go near the Columbia River.
Also, disagree on your assessment of The Dalles as “the ugliest city this side of Wasilla.” It’s basically a typical small town of 12,000 people. Besides, there’s a lot worse the further you go down I-84 until you get to Pendleton.
Anyway, if you stay on I-84, you may want to stop at Hood River. It’s the Mecca for windsurfing plus there’s the Full Sail Brewery and all the orchards in the Hood River Valley might be worth a stopover to get fresh seasonal fruit. However, it might be too late for cherries and too soon for apples.
Something that’s also good at the Gorge, though only of interest to a very small percentage of people- there is GREAT trainspotting. The Union Pacific has a busy line on the Oregon side, and the BNSF has one on the Washington side.
No, the Dalles is pretty butt-ugly. Great place to windsurf though. If you want a spot to be outside that’s not as crowded as Multnomah Falls, Rooster Rock State Park is one of my haunts. The view isn’t breathtakingly beautiful, but it’s a great way to play in the river and watch the barges.
Moved Cafe Society --> IMHO.
Slip of the typing fingers, I guess. Off highway, The Dalles may have some attraction, but it’s just nothing but fast food joints and industrial areas from the freeway, and butt ugly when compared to someplace like Hood River. Full Sail also has a decent restaurant along with the brewery tour. The I-84 side of the river does have its attractions, and if the OP takes that route, I would highly recommend getting off the freeway and onto the old Gorge road which takes you not only to the waterfalls, but also up to Crown Point, which has some nice views.
You know the classic pictures of from the west end of the gorge, like this one? They show Crown Point. They’re from Women’s Forum State Park, at the mouth of the gorge. Great view, to the east is a really nice chunk of the gorge, to the west is much more open ground towards Portland. Very nice contrast.
My favorite waterfall is Tanner Creek. But that’s a personal choice.
I also like to do the fishladder thing at Bonneville.
If you have the time, keep going and take in the Maryhill Museum and the nearby Stonehenge replica further on east of the gorge.
And The Dalles is not at all a bad place.
May I suggest contacting some local hiking clubs or groups and seeing if they have a hike going on at the time of your visit.
Eagle Creek’s punchbowl falls should not be missed. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
Bri2k
Make sure you climb up Beacon Rock, the view from the top there is pretty great.
Maryhill is nice, but you need about four hours total in order to drive up and back and still have time to tour the museum.
I always thought it was kind of quaint in a ‘Waiting for Guffman’ way – my varsity tennis team (you see I’m not bragging – I went to a very small school) played there a bunch. A dubs partner once did the Michael Chang underhand, and those Dalles bitches went complaining to their coach. I take it back – skip the Dalles, unless you want salmonella, expensive meth, dirt weed, and a bunch of hicks.
Still not sure about Hood River, though – never really spent any time there.
Wind-surfing and kite-boarding capital of Oregon. Also beer drinking. Not a bad town, but make sure you feed the parking meter. They make a lot of money off of people who think nobody checks. There’s a great ‘fruit loop’ out of Hood River that goes out into pear-growing country. Lots of farms and wineries.
Bonneville Dam is a fun place to visit if you have the time, and they have a really cool fish ladder!
That’s true. If at all mechanically inclined, it’s an awesome place to check it out. The sturgeon hatchery is still there, right? That’s totally bitchin’, from what I recall.
Oh, and I wasn’t talking so much about Hood River but somewhat agreeing with comments about The Dalles (I still think it’s a fine little town, though). Hood River is pretty chic, actually – think a fancy ski-town, but with wind and (of course) beer, no doubt loads of places to eat high-quality food. Just my impressions from going through there a handful of times.