The Hood-Columbia Loop: Timberline, Orchards, and Waterfalls

12 Reviews4.83 out of 5 stars Based on 12 adventurer reviews collected by Top10Adventures® and TripAdvisor | Portland, USA

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8 hours (Approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile Ticket

Overview

Mt. Hood is the highest summit in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. It features waterfalls, glaciers, and historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression, and featuring the longest ski season in the US. To the north of Mt. Hood is the Hood River Valley. You will get intimate with this area through a visit to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, fruit stands in the Hood River Valley, downtown Hood River (your opportunity for lunch and/or alcoholic beverages), and breathtaking stops in the eastern and western Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls included). Your expert guide, with formal background in ecology and natural resources, will teach you about the natural and cultural history of the area, as you drive the Mt. Hood and Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byways. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel.

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Snacks
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities (always appreciated)
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Pickup locations are flexible. We'll contact you the evening before to verify pickup time and location.

What To Expect

Mount Hood

Mt. Hood is a potentially active stratovolcano, the highest peak in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. Not only is it known for its beauty, visible on the skyline of much of northern Oregon and southern Washington, but it is also the most climbed stratovolcano in the Cascades, easily accessible from Timberline Lodge, which is the only ski resort in the US that is open every month of the year. You will spend 1-2 hours at Timberline Lodge, on the mountain, just below the Palmer Glacier.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Timberline Lodge

This Works Progress Administration project was dedicated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937. It is one of the most unique, and expansive buildings in the State of Oregon, sitting on Mt. Hood above timberline, for utterly sublime views. You can divide your time among interpretive displays, food & drink venues, hiking in summer and snowplay in winter, as you like. The lodge is a National Historic Landmark, and the only ski resort in the US that is open every month of the year.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Draper Girls Country Farm

Depending on the season, we'll stop at this charming orchard store, where you can buy fresh fruit & preserves, pet the cats and goats, and get a spectacular shot of Mt. Hood, weather permitting.
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Apple Valley Country Store

Depending on the season, we'll stop at this homey country store, who not only sell fruit and preserves, but also homemade pies and huckleberry milkshakes!
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Port of Hood River

Dubbed the "windsurfing capital" of the world, Hood River also has more breweries per capita than any other city in the US, and a plethora of tasting rooms, galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. This is where you'll spend your lunch hour.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

The 85-mile (137-km) long Columbia Gorge NSA features waterfalls, mountains, monoliths, terraces, resort towns, vineyards, orchards, the Columbia River, a plethora of birds, and a plant community that changes dramatically between the west and east ends.
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3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Rowena Crest Viewpoint

The quintessential photo opportunity for the eastern Gorge.
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20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Columbia River Highway (Pass By)

This 74-mile (123-km) long historic highway was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps. These days one can no longer drive the entire highway, but we will drive portions of this picturesque, engineering marvel in both the eastern and western gorge, past basalt terraces and waterfalls.
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Bridge of the Gods (Pass By)

Columbia River crossing for the Pacific Crest Trail, and lowest point on that trail. Named for a Native American legend that explains the local geology.
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Bonneville Lock & Dam (Pass By)

Another National Historic Landmark, Bonneville Dam was the first Public Works Administration dam on the Columbia River, completed in 1938.
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Bonneville Hatchery (Pass By)

Largest hatchery in the state of Oregon.
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Elowah Falls (Pass By)

A hidden beauty...watch quickly, or you might miss it!
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Beacon Rock (Pass By)

The fifth largest free-standing monolith in the world. It is an 848-ft (258-m) volcanic plug, composed of columnar basalt, so similar in size and composition to Devil's Tower, Wyoming.
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Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge (Pass By)

Don't miss this quirky waterfall as we pass by!
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Multnomah Falls

The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Wahkeena Falls (Pass By)

Another cute waterfall to watch for closely!
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Crown Point State Park (Pass By)

Once known as Thor's Hammer, this geological feature towers above, with a crown-shaped building sitting atop, and a waterfall coming down the side.
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Rooster Rock State Park (Pass By)

As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America's oldest continuously running nudist beach!
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Sandy River (Pass By)

We'll cross the Sandy River between the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. The Sandy's headwaters is a glacier on Mt. Hood, and the river is known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. As a result, the Sandy is one of three tributaries of the Columbia who's dams have been removed since 2007.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-120361P10

Reviews

4.83
12 reviews

Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 12 adventurer reviews collected by Top10Adventures® and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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