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For you city slickers who crave a little outdoor adventure on the weekends, the Mt. Hood/Columbia River Gorge Loop is a "must see" scenic getaway. Encompassing the rich landscape just outside Oregon's largest city, Portland,
this four-hour classic road trip will take you to dizzying heights. Catch a panoramic glimpse of the Gorge at the Grotto as you leave the city on Sandy Blvd. Follow Rte. 26 to Sandy where you can test your palette at the Wasson
Winery.
Proceed to Government Camp on Mt. Hood where five major ski areas are
located, including the only alpine slide in the Northwest. The sheer size
of Mt. Hood is enough to humble even the biggest of egos. The largest
ski area is Mt. Hood Meadows, which offers lodging and a bite to eat at
the Hoodland district. From here you can loop around Mt. Hood on Rte.
35, which showcases an abundance of plants and wildlife in this pristine
ecosystem. Proceed over the summit of the Cascades through the Mt. Hood
National Forest and back down into the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic
Area. Continue on Rte. 35 to the Hood River at the foot of the valley.
Here you can experience the Columbia Gorge Hotel and stroll down to visit
the Mt. Hood Railroad Depot for a train ride to the foothills of Mt. Hood.
Head west from the valley on I-84 and experience the rich Indian and
pioneer history of the Cascade Locks. Just a stone's throw west is the
Bonneville Dam, home of the Bradford Island Visitors Center where you
can learn about salmon migration, take a self-guided tour of the hatchery
and check out the under-surface viewing room.
Continue west on I-84 to one of the most scenic areas of the trip, the
Historic Columbia River Highway. Pass majestic waterfalls, overgrown bridges
and tunnels before arriving at the famous lookout at Crown Point. Proceed
to the town of Corbett to catch a breathtaking view overlooking the Gorge.
Turn around and head back on the Columbia River Highway to where it merges
with I-84 and stop in at Troutdale to visit the Harlow House Museum. The
trip ends with a spectacular view of Portland as you return to the city.
Classic Car Road Trip Stats
Starting Point:
Starts in Portland on Sandy Blvd./Hwy. 26
Distance of Drive:
194 Miles
Must Eat:
Bread and Ink Café
3610 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-239-4756
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Year round.
Points of Interest on Drive:
Mt.Hood
Columbia River Gorge
Bonneville Dam
Cascade Locks
Timberline Lodge
Numerous panoramic viewpoints
See also:
This Classic Car Road Trip was provided by
© Studio One Networks
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