Mt. Hood Columbia River Gorge Scenic Tour

Mt. Hood is the highest summit in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. It features waterfalls, glaciers, and historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression, and featuring the longest ski season in the US. To the north of Mt. Hood is the Hood River Valley. You will get intimate with this area through a visit to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, fruit stands in the Hood River Valley, downtown Hood River (your opportunity for lunch and/or alcoholic beverages), and breathtaking stops in the eastern and western Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls included). Your expert guide, with formal background in ecology and natural resources, will teach you about the natural and cultural history of the area, as you drive the Mt. Hood and Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byways. Maximum group size of 11. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel.

What's included:

• PA system so the back row can hear the guide

What to expect:

Duration: between 8 hours and 10 hours

Mount Hood

Hood River, Oregon

Mt. Hood is a potentially active stratovolcano, the highest peak in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. Not only is it known for its beauty, visible on the skyline of much of northern Oregon and southern Washington, but it is also the most climbed stratovolcano in the Cascades, easily accessible from Timberline Lodge, which is the only ski resort in the US that is open every month of the year. You will spend 1-2 hours at Timberline Lodge, on the mountain, just below the Palmer Glacier.

2 hours

Timberline Lodge

27500 E Timberline Rd, , Government Camp, 97028, Oregon

This Works Progress Administration project was dedicated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937. It is one of the most unique, and expansive buildings in the State of Oregon, sitting on Mt. Hood above timberline, for utterly sublime views. You can divide your time among interpretive displays, food & drink venues, hiking in summer and snowplay in winter, as you like. The lodge is a National Historic Landmark, and the only ski resort in the US that is open every month of the year.

1 hour

Draper Girls Country Farm

6200 Highway 35, Mt. Hood, Parkdale, 97041-7752, Oregon

Depending on the season, we'll stop at this charming orchard store, where you can buy fresh fruit & preserves, pet the cats and goats, and get a spectacular shot of Mt. Hood, weather permitting.

20 minutes

Apple Valley Country Store

2363 Tucker Rd, , Hood River, 97031-9687, Oregon

Depending on the season, we'll stop at this homey country store, who not only sell fruit and preserves, but also homemade pies and huckleberry milkshakes!

20 minutes

Port of Hood River

720 E Port Marina Dr, Hood River, 97031-2345, Oregon

Dubbed the "windsurfing capital" of the world, Hood River also has more breweries per capita than any other city in the US, and a plethora of tasting rooms, galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. This is where you'll spend your lunch hour.

1 hour

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Oregon

The 85-mile (137-km) long Columbia Gorge NSA features waterfalls, mountains, monoliths, terraces, resort towns, vineyards, orchards, the Columbia River, a plethora of birds, and a plant community that changes dramatically between the west and east ends.

3 hours

Rowena Crest Viewpoint

Old Columbia River Scenic Highway, Mayer State Park, Mosier, 97040, Oregon

The quintessential photo opportunity for the eastern Gorge.

20 minutes

Columbia River Highway

State Highway 30 from Troutdale to The Dalles, Troutdale, 97060, Oregon

This 74-mile (123-km) long historic highway was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps. These days one can no longer drive the entire highway, but we will drive portions of this picturesque, engineering marvel in both the eastern and western gorge, past basalt terraces and waterfalls.

Bridge of the Gods

Columbia River Gorge, , Cascade Locks, 97014, Oregon

Columbia River crossing for the Pacific Crest Trail, and lowest point on that trail. Named for a Native American legend that explains the local geology.

Bonneville Lock & Dam

, , Cascade Locks, 97014-0150, Oregon

Another National Historic Landmark, Bonneville Dam was the first Public Works Administration dam on the Columbia River, completed in 1938.

Bonneville Hatchery

70543 NE Herman Loop, Cascade Locks, 97014-6663, Oregon

Largest hatchery in the state of Oregon.

Elowah Falls

NE Frontage Rd, John B Yeon State Park, Cascade Locks, 97014, Oregon

A hidden beauty...watch quickly, or you might miss it!

Beacon Rock

State Route 14 in Beacon Rock State Park, , North Bonneville, Washington

The fifth largest free-standing monolith in the world. It is an 848-ft (258-m) volcanic plug, composed of columnar basalt, so similar in size and composition to Devil's Tower, Wyoming.

Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge

Columbia Gorge, Map link, Hood River, Oregon

Don't miss this quirky waterfall as we pass by!

Multnomah Falls

50000 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Bridal Veil, 97010, Oregon

The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.

30 minutes

Wahkeena Falls

Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, Oregon

Another cute waterfall to watch for closely!

Crown Point State Park

Not Available, Corbett, 97019, Oregon

Once known as Thor's Hammer, this geological feature towers above, with a crown-shaped building sitting atop, and a waterfall coming down the side.

Rooster Rock State Park

Corbett, 97019, Oregon

As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America's oldest continuously running nudist beach!

Sandy River

Oregon

We'll cross the Sandy River between the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. The Sandy's headwaters is a glacier on Mt. Hood, and the river is known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. As a result, the Sandy is one of three tributaries of the Columbia who's dams have been removed since 2007.