Matt Wastradowski - Moon Columbia River Gorge & Mount Hood: Waterfalls & Wildflowers, Craft Beer & Wine, Hiking & Camping

Timberline Lodge.

You might think you can get a feel for the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood in a few hours. Head east from downtown Portland, speed through the Gorge on I-84, veer south through the Hood River Valley, head west on the Mount Hood Highway, and you could be back in the city for luncheven with a few stops for photos. But you can only see so muchyou can only feel so muchfrom behind a windshield at 60 miles per hour.

The Columbia River Gorge has been carved by the Pacific Northwests mightiest river and Mount Hood is Oregons tallest peak. Together, they are the centerpieces of a region that inspires wonder like nowhere else. Marked by basalt cliffs, towering forests, thundering waterfalls, and shimmering lakes, this is a playground that invites deep engagement.

The magic of this region only reveals itself when you stop to slow down and appreciate both its natural marvels and the communities theyve fostered. Hike the alternately lush and craggy hillsides and highlands of the Gorge, feel the sponge-like dirt at your feet after a good rainfall, or clamber out on arid outcrops covered in spring wildflowers. Watch the sunset from Timberline Lodge after a day on Mount Hoods snowy slopes. Pop a handful of juicy blueberries into your mouth at the height of summer on a farm in the Hood River Valley. Enjoy a meal with friends within eyesight of where its been sourced, or sip a crisp apple cider while talking with the person who crafted it.

windsurfing near Hood River

rafting the White Salmon River

vineyard in the Columbia River Gorge

The adventure of your dreams is waitingwhatever those dreams look like.

Beacon Rock

trail to Bagby Hot Springs.

Timothy Lake

offers thrilling twists and turns.

: Youll find abundant opportunities to partake in a memorable pint or pour throughout the region, especially in the hip town of Hood River, where you can easily hop from one spot to another.

: Spend the night at scenic campgrounds that offer easy access to the mountains hiking trails and lakes.

on the White Salmon River.

.

: Witnessing the fall migration of fish making their way from the Pacific Ocean back to their home streams is a regional rite of passage.

also boasts one of the best perspectives on the mountain.

: A visit to Oregons most famous falls inspires awe.

Where to Go

The Columbia River Gorge separates Oregon from Washington, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area encompasses riverfront areas in both states, roughly bookended by the Sandy River on the western side and the Deschutes River on the eastern side. Mount Hood, Oregons tallest peak, sits just south of the National Scenic Area. Both are easily accessed from Portland, just west, and given this proximity the region functions as something of a big backyard for the city in addition to being a wonderland destination for those farther afield.

Waterfall Alley

Troutdale, just east of Portland, is the gateway to the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, where you can hop on the lush western stretch of the Historic Columbia River Highway. More than a century old, the scenic byway takes you through Waterfall Alleyhome to the largest concentration of waterfalls in North America, including