A Day Closer to Heaven – a day ride up Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge
One of the great blessings of living the great Northwest is the verdant green of the Columbia River Gorge. One of our first rides to explore this scenic wonder was to bike up the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Overview
The loop up the Columbia River Highway runs east on the top of the gorge plateau past waterfall after waterfall and picturesque turnoff after quaint park, with stops at Crown Point State Park, Multnomah Falls and Bridge of the Gods. Depending on the number of waterfalls, turnouts and sites you stop to see, the ride can take from three hours to the entire day.
Details
We’ll use the Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge that crosses the Columbia River as the start and end points for this ride. Take I-84 east for 13 miles to exit 22 toward NE Corbett Hill Road, .2 miles. Turn right at NE Corbett Hill Road and watch for signs for Corbett. Turn slightly left and stay on NE Corbett Hill Road, then another slight left at E. Historic Columbia River Highway. This winding climb will bring you out on top of the river plateau. Approximately 3 miles on E Historic Columbia River Highway at Crown Point State Park, you’ll experience a superb northwest vista, which spans from Portland and the Willamette Valley to the west up the Columbia River Gorge to Bonneville Dam east. The Vista House built in 1916 is the jewel of Crown Point, and features an interesting history well worth the time to stop, read and take plenty of photos.
Continuing on Historic Columbia River Highway, you’ll ride through 8 miles of lush green vegetation, 13 waterfalls, turnouts and two state parks – Talbot State Park, and Bridal Veil Falls State Park. We stopped at several waterfalls and turnouts to hike, rest and refresh.
The next stop is Multnomah Falls, a pictographic setting of rare a beauty. The falls drop in two steps – the first 542 ft, followed by a second falls of 69 ft. A nice trail leads to Benson Footbridge, a 45-foot bridge that allows visitors to cross above the lower cascade. The trail continues to the top of the falls and Larch Mountain Lookout, which provides a birds-eye view of the Gorge. Multnomah Lodge, at the base of the falls, has a gift shop brimming with trinkets and memorabilia as well as a delicious restaurant.
Back on Historic Columbia Highway, you’ll travel ~3 miles and merge on to I-84 east. Then travel another 9 miles to exit 44 – Bridge of the Gods. This extraordinary bridge spans the Columbia River at Cascade Lock and is 1,127 feet long. The toll is $1 for cars and 50¢ for motorcycles. If you have the time and inclination, you can also catch a ride on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. We’ve had the pleasure of cruising on this ship several times participating in weddings and large church gatherings. If you’re very nice, the captain might let you steer the ship. But don’t be surprised if you’re not the skipper you think you are. One hint, when you take the wheel, pick out a point on the distant shore and head straight for it. If you don’t you’ll be amazed how crooked you steer the sternwheeler. Another tip – the bridge surface is metal mesh and will feel really squirrely. Just be calm, don’t try to over steer and maintain a slow speed crossing.
After crossing Bridge of the Gods, turn left at SR14 and head west. The next attraction is Bonneville Dam, the 8th largest of 14 power generating dams along the Columbia River and the first of four dams straddling Washington and Oregon. Bonneville Dam consists of several dam structures that span the Columbia River. You can take a tour of the facility, and be sure to catch the fish viewing areas. The facility is open from 9am-5pm year round, but the best viewing is April through September when fish are more prevalent. Continue west on SR14 past the town of North Bonneville, followed by Beacon Rock Golf Course, a majestically beautiful 9-hole course.
Another few minutes and you’re at Beacon Rock State Park. You can stop at the ranger station for details on nearby camping. Rest rooms are just across the highway at the base of Beacon Rock. If you’re up for it, a hike up the 848 ft. rock is a great activity. The ¾ mile trek takes about 45 minutes up and 20 minutes down. The switchback trail, built by Henry Biddle in 1918, features handrails and bridges, but is steep at times and will definitely get your blood pumping. You’ll want to have your camera with you for memorable views and panoramas in all directions at the summit.
The final stop on SR14 comes 12 miles further. Cape Horn Skye is a pull off on the east side of the road, but be prepared to stop or you’ll miss it and think, “Wow that’s a perfect place for a photo-op.” If you do make the stop, you’ll witness the beauty of the Gorge from the north side of the river. The solid rock promontory in the distance on the left is Beacon Rock. A must photo is you and your fellow riders with Beacon Rock and the gorge in the background. And for you Twilight movie fans, the view from the Cape is the background is scenery when Edward & Bella are in the tops of the trees.
The close to this ride is the remaining 30 minutes back to Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge, past the communities of Washougal and Camas.
Thanks for joining us on this great one-day ride, let us know how you enjoyed the ride and come back for more tours. Ride on!!!
