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Adventures with Uncle Bob

Have you seen the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon?  Its well worth the trip if you get out West.
You find the region is rich in interesting history and marvelous scenery.

In the early 1800s, the magnificent resources of the Gorge lured explorers and fur traders westward. Lewis, Clark, botanist David Douglas and ornithologist John Townsend, "the bird chief," explored and documented geology, geography, plants and animals. When they were in the western region of the Gorge, the recorded they had difficulty sleeping at night because the many birds in the area were so loud. From their reports and illustrations of their travel, people's curiosity of moving westward developed.

In 1843, about 900 people braved the 2,000 mile Oregon Trail to reach the Willamette Valley. By 1849, approximately 11,500 pioneers poured into Oregon, forever changing life in the Columbia Gorge. As steamboats, railroads and highways replaced canoes and rafts, the Columbia Gorge remains a major transportation route through the Cascade Mountain Range. Improved infrastructure has led to economic development. Lumber, wool and flour mills, as well as fish and fruit canneries have dotted the landscape. The river continues to carry grain, livestock, lumber, fruit and vegetables grown and processed in the Columbia Basin. Remnants of fish wheels, arrowheads and pictographs are visible to history buffs, as well as Oregon's first steam locomotives and cultural influences of Chinese cannery workers

To this day the Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range.  It's 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep with the north canyon walls in Washington State and the south canyon walls in Oregon State. There are approximately 35 waterfalls in a forty mile stretch east of Portland. For those with limited time or physical ability, there are easily accessible destinations. For example, take I-84 to the town of Cascade Locks, OR. Cross to the Washington State side of the river and travel 6.5 miles west to highway 14 on the way to Beacon State Park. There is a $5 park entrance fee that grants you access to Beacon Rock, the second largest free-standing basalt monolith in the world. Towering at 848 feet, it is surrounded by a one mile long trail that hugs the side of the monolith as it ascends using switch-backs and the occasional wooden and metal ramps. Guardrails protect the walker all the way to the top. On the summit, vistas over the gorge are abundant. If this climb is not to your liking, the park also has a strenuous trail up to Hamilton Mountain with a view of two waterfalls.

Beyond the park about 15 minutes away on Interstate 84 can be found the Starvation Creek Trailhead at Exit 55. From the parking lot you need only walk about 100 yards to Starvation Creek Falls, a 190 foot, two-tiered cataract.  Also from the same parking lot on the west is a sound barrier protected trail that parallels the Interstate that offers great views of the nearby mountains. As the trail continues into the woods it begins climbing where more spectacular views are available of more waterfalls and the top of Starvation Falls.  At the top a path leads to Cabin Creek Falls that is about 50 feet tall.

Further on past the footbridge is an unrestricted view of Warren Falls that is about 100 feet tall. In less than 1.5 miles the visitor will have seen at least three waterfalls and some wonderful views.    “Go West Young Man”…
For more info, call Bob Tyson at 618-684-5643. 

SEE: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/home.htm     

For additional information on these or other outing locations, call Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or mailto:robkay43@webtv.net ■