Troutdale, Oregon – July 16, 2016

We began the day with crisp temperatures and overcast skies, but nothing was stopping us from our plans for today.  We arrived in Troutdale, Oregon yesterday and spent a very leisurely day.  This park is so close to town that we walked and found a nice little Chinese restaurant that served such large portions we just ate half for lunch and the other half for dinner.

Today we explored the Columbia River Gorge and Mt Hood Scenic Loop.

View of Columbia River Gorge from Vista House

The gorge consists of eight waterfalls along the high cliffs that run along the Columbia River.  We were there with several hundred other people experiencing these sights on a Saturday, but it was no where near the crowds we experienced in Banff and Lake Louise.  Parking was a challenge some times, but all and all it was a wonderful day.  We decided neither of us are “big city” people and nature is more out thing.  We couldn’t walk to all the falls because at some we just couldn’t find a place to park.

We did walk to the Bridal Veil Falls and I knew it was going to be a big day when my Fitbit count  at 11 am was 8,500 steps and the equivalent of 35 flights of steps.

Bridal Veil Falls – Columbia River Gorge

The big deal falls that is most famous is the Multnomah Falls and touted to be the second tallest year round falls in the US.  They even had a real restaurant so we stopped for nourishment so we could keep on going.

Multnomah Falls

Then Oneonta Gorge

Rock formation at Oneonta Gorge

and then Elowah Falls which was my favorite.  The hike back to the falls was only supposed to be 1.4 miles round trip but it was not as “civilized” as the others.  This trail had no paving only loose gravel and dirt, and actually was uphill both ways.  We passed lots of 20 somethings year olds with their dogs, and some 30 somethings year olds with kids and/or dogs, but no 70 somethings at all.  When you got closer to the falls themselves, the trails had some VERY narrow patches where the water had eroded part of the trail to 12-18 inches wide.  I even saw some foot prints at the edges where someone got very close to a very dangerous drop.  Only God can create something this beautiful and man’s cameras don’t come close to capturing it on film.

Elowah Falls – Columbia River Gorge

Back to the truck and onward to the Mt Hood Scenic Loop.  After driving for a while, this picture popped in front of us in the windshield.

Mt Hood from Highway approx 40 miles away

Mt Hood has an elevation of 11,235 feet and we were headed to the Timberline Lodge that is actually at the timberline at 6,000 feet.  The lodge dates back to early 1900’s and is still in exceptional shape and functioning as a major ski resort in winter and hiking destination in summer.

Mt Hood in the Clouds

Entrance to Timberlake Lodge – Mt Hood

View from patio at Timberlake Lodge

We decided to have a light dinner of pureed mushroom soup topped with chopped hazelnuts and sandwiches.  Perfect after expelling all those calories.

View from our table at Timberlake Lodge of Mt Hood

Then back home to write this blog and take some Advil.  Final step count over 15,000 and equivalent of 78 flights of steps.  I’m tired.