Columbia River Gorge

F

flrockytop

New member
OK all of you west coast C-brats I need some input here. Mary Jo and I have the occasion to be in the Columbia River Gorge from Sept 11 to the 17th. Flying into SETAC on the 11th not arriving until about 11PM. We pick up a rental car and make our way to Portland. We’ll be around Bonneville Dam and Stevenson the rest of the time. They won’t let me bring the C-Dory as checked baggage. (dang nab bit). So the question is: Is a ride on the “Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler” boarding in Cascade Locks worth it or do we just need to wait until someday in the future when we can tow the c-dory out there? Also has anyone ever done the Parkdale Excursion Train and have any feed back on that? Any other must do's for a short landlocked trip?

Thanks Roger and Mary Jo
 
Can't tell you about the stermwheeler, but when in Stevenson, a meal and a pint at the Walking Man Brewery is always nice (I know Don and Dee will second that!)
 
Been along some of the Columbia River but have not done any boating there nor am I familiar w/ the Sternwheeler or other things you mentioned.

However; I can say that the portion of the river we found to be the prettiest was the mouth of the river in the Astoria area and also the areas east of the Bonneville Dam.

Do not miss checking out the fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam itself. They have viewing tanks w/ white sturgeon - about 10 foot long - swimming around. Pretty neat to see even though (heresy on this site!) I am not a fisherman.

Take care and have a safe trip,
Dan
 
The sternwheeler is a good way to experience that part of the Columbia. Another thing worth doing is the road from Hood River up through the Hood River Valley ending at Timberline Lodge (My Hood) for lunch. Multnomah Falls (600’) isn’t far down the road. In Stevenson the Walking Man Brewpub is high on my list as is Skamania Lodge. The Old Columbia River Highway parallels I-84 and gives a great panorama from Crown Point as well as very close up views of about 4 waterfalls.
If you have any other questions, PM me.
 
The Bonneville Dam and hatchery are great. I have heard nothing but good things about the dinner train. I have been on the sternwheeler a couple times. ONce when we chartered it for a company event and that was a blast. If you go in the evening and it is warm out and the sun is going down it is great. North across the river is Goldendale with an astronomical observatory. MaryHill Museum is right close to hood river and has a terrific art collection and historical background. You will be surprised at the artwork that is on display there, like Rodin (sp?)
 
If you are a fisherman, this next section is borrowed from another thread. I can sit and watch that for hours(Though I'd be sure to see it if I were there). There are also lots of guided trips for salmon (and sturgeon?) there at that time of year.

Chris


START BORROWED

After all the talk about the Ocean conditions being the cause of the Sacramento River salmon crash and then I heard about this today.... The previous one day record count of steelhead at the Bonneville ladder was back in the 30's, about 14,500 fish. This last week the ladder had counts of over 18,000, the next day had over 24,000 and Friday had over 34,000! Check out this link to the live online viewing panel at the ladder....it updates every 15-45 secs.

http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/fishcam.asp

They are also increasing the limit for hatchery coho in some rivers because of so many fish coming back. And many Ocean areas have met the quotas for chinook.

END BORROWED
 
Pat Anderson":2hzumxsr said:
Can't tell you about the stermwheeler, but when in Stevenson, a meal and a pint at the Walking Man Brewery is always nice (I know Don and Dee will second that!)
Click to expand...

And be sure and get a Walking Man tee shirt... You'll love the motto.

The Big River Grill (just up the hill) on highway 14 is a great meal, too. They also serve Walking Man.
 
Roger,

A serious answer now. I think you would like the sternwheeler, my wife and kids had a great time on it. The scenery is spectacular to say the least.

I have not been on the excursion train, but the Hood River Valley is beautiful as well. My suspicion is that it also would be fun, as well as a trip up to Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood. If you're a skier, there is a chance (I haven't checked the website) that the lifts may still be running on the Magic Mile. I don't recall if they go into September or not.

Send me a PM, and I will send you my cell if you would like to talk.

Kind Regards,

Steve
 
Roger & Mary Jo,
I've lived in North Central Oregon on the Columbia River for 41 of my 44 years. IMHO, every one of these suggestions are very much worth doing. You can also add a rafting trip on the Deschutes River at Maupin or a charter fishing trip out of Rufus with Fly By Night Guide Service (don't let the name fool ya!). The fishing has been incredible. As you head East and cross over the Cascades it will go from green and lush to dry and arid. Where we live we average 10-12" of precip. / year. From Hood River to Rufus there are lots of windsurfers and kite-boarders. Fun to observe or take a lesson. The sad part is you will run out of time before you have "done it all". The good part is you will not be dissapointed in whatever you choose to do.
 
Roger -

I would echo the input of others. Worth seeing/doing include the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Dam and the road from Hood River up to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.

Some other suggestions are the Eagle Creek walking trail up to punchbowl falls and breakfast at the Columbia Gorge Hotel (although I believe it is under new management and being renovated so you need to check). You may also want to cross over the "Bridge of the Gods" and have a bite to eat at Skamania Lodge (also in Steveson).

The Gorge is beautiful - but there is also plenty to see and some great restaurants in Portland!

Enjoy - Mark
 
If traveling by car to hood river, the south side has a road that goes by at least 7 waterfalls with parking and trails. Easier to find heading west than east but if you get of around rooster rock going east or the b dam going west the road is on the south side of the river and runs around 20 miles. Worth seeing. Also out east around biggs on the east side of the river is a stone hedge setup. Near peach beach out east on the Washington side.

Portland has great places to visit as well. Omni or odysee of the mind and the zoo are great attractions.

Lots to do there even if the boat is at home.
 
Thanks for everyone for the input. Now you've got me worked up to try and fit in a fishing trip. I'll check that out as well as the other things you have mentioned. The really bad thing is that I see that the Sequim Bay CBGT is the same week-end. Oh so close but so far. My heart is going to be pulling me there. Maybe we'll pass someone on the road. If you hear a horh hoonking wildly it'll be me.

Roger
 
Roger, This is not necessarily a.......
" .... really bad thing is that I see that the Sequim Bay CBGT is the same week-end. Oh so close but so far. My heart is going to be pulling me there. Maybe we'll pass someone on the road. If you hear a horh honking wildly it'll be me."
Click to expand...

Not necessarily in answer to your question, but..............going north out of Portland, it is just at 4 hours to Sequim Bay State Park, and half of the drive is just as beautiful as the Columbia river Gorge (I have driven both countless number of times,) and you could be at the CBGT here. You gotta consider it. Hummm, C-Dorys and C-Brats, versus stern wheeler and pubs. Go ahead, flip a quarter and if you don't like the way it lands, go ahead and do your thing. :smiled

As to the stern wheeler. It is a good ride, and the best is the breakfast brunch ride. As to the driving, I'd go up river (east) on the I-84 Oregon side, and come down river, (westbound), on the Washington side to catch both sides and more "stuff".

Have a great time, and enjoy, (and we will be looking for you at Sequim Bay (wink, since I can't get it to add here now)

Harvey
SleepyC :wink
 
Roger and Mary Jo,

I would agree with Pat that Walking Man Brewing is great place for a cold one and some food. They usually open at 3 and close around 10 or so. Limited offerings of their brew can be found in Stevenson at Jo's and the Big River Grill across the street and at the Lodge up on the hill. The Lodge offers a seafood buffet on Friday's and a sunday buffet. Both are very good and you should make reservations well in advance. Dee and I have been wanting to try the dinner train in Hood River and I did the Sternwheeler about 20 years ago and it was a nice trip.

Others have also made some great suggestions so you might want to spend a few months in the area. :D

Let us know what you participated in! Have fun with it.

If you are up for a hike Beacon Rock on the Washington side below Bonneville Dam is quite a view!

Don
 
We have vacationed on the Columbia River each of the last 2 summers. A few days near Cascade Locks and the Bonneville Dam and a few days at Ft. Stevens, near Astoria.

The sternwheeler was very fun last year as a family venture, everyone enjoyed it. Didn't repeat it this year. The hatchery and all of the other stuff is also wonderful. The last 2 years have been in an RV, next year may want to rent a house on the river for a week. More to explore than a few days allows.

Both areas are new fishing places for me, as the Sacramento River/Delta area appears to be dying. So, I really appreciate how the fishery in Oregon/Wash is managed, as we don't have one any longer, Sacramento is long term home. I'll be fishing up there for quite some time, including towing a boat from Calif. I'm just starting to learn and appreciate the knowledge I've gained here.
 
Roger and MaryJo-

We also just got an iPhone before our NW cruising this year. Great for 'navigating' - and communicating.

Enjoy your trip - might you swing by Powell, if taking a southerly route? - always room on Halcyon for you two, and you could be camped ashore at night with the gang.
 
Hi Bill and El. Thanks for the offer but we are flying into Setac and getting a car from there just to get to Portland. I like this iPhone but it's a bit too smart for me

:)
 
Roger and MaryJo

Directions to Portland from Seatac: (Pay attention here now ,OK) :wink

Take I-5 North to Edmonds exit. Go to Edmonds, take ferry to Kingston, then drive across the peninsula to Sequim Bay State Park, Go to the Sequim Bay State Park CBGT. Have a good time. Turn Left out of the Park and go south on 101 to Olympia. Turn onto I-5 South and go to Portland. Smile for all the fun you had. :lol: :roll:

If you don't follow these directions, we will miss you, :sad

Harvey
SleepyC
 
hardee":c12jtyeg said:
Roger and MaryJo

Directions to Portland from Seatac: (Pay attention here now ,OK) :wink

Take I-5 North to Edmonds exit. Go to Edmonds, take ferry to Kingston, then drive across the peninsula to Sequim Bay State Park, Go to the Sequim Bay State Park CBGT. Have a good time. Turn Left out of the Park and go south on 101 to Olympia. Turn onto I-5 South and go to Portland. Smile for all the fun you had. :lol: :roll:

If you don't follow these directions, we will miss you, :sad

Harvey
SleepyC
Click to expand...

Thanks Harvey. I keep putting that in my Garmin and that awful voice just keeps on saying "re-calculating" It just doesn't know anything about the value of local knowledge. Maybe I I should take my Lowrance. It would route me that way too. :) :)

Roger
 
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