Columbia River Gorge

By Kristy McCaffrey

Last month I visited Portland, Oregon and had the opportunity to enjoy the riches of the Columbia River Gorge, a canyon that defines the Oregon-Washington State border. The gorge stretches for 80 miles through the Cascade Range as the Columbia River makes its way to the Pacific Ocean. The area is known for a high number of waterfalls, with over ninety on the Oregon side alone. The gorge has supported human habitation for 13,000 years, but is most famous as a pathway for the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805.

The Columbia River as seen from the Oregon side.

Multnomah Falls, with a total height of
620 feet. Be sure to have lunch at the Multnomah
Falls Lodge, at the base of the falls.

View from the top of Multnomah Falls. A one-mile hike on a
well-maintained trail will get you there.

Bridal Veil Falls.

Latourell Falls.

The Pacific Crest Trail spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to
Canada, with a portion running through Oregon and
the Columbia River Gorge.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at Cascade Locks.

Bonneville Dam, one of three on the Columbia River.
It provides electrical power and aids in river navigation.