Hiking in the Columbia Gorge

We woke up to cloudy skies and drizzly rain but the forecast for the Dalles showed partly sunny and warm.  Perfect for the hike we had planned.  We set off with a picnic lunch, trail treats, and extra clothes...just in case.  We made our way up the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway to our first hiking destination, "Emerald Gorge".    

This bridge goes over the Sandy River into Troutdale.

Sandy River

Some sort of cruciferous field.  

Rain and fog...oh dear

The magnificent view looking out over the incredible Columbia River Gorge...or so we imagined.

The view on my lap.


I have seen some lovely pictures of "Emerald Gorge" on pinterest and have wanted to hike this particular area for quite sometime.  Unfortunately, my camera did not react well to the low gray clouds and the undergrowth.  The majority of the pictures required the flash and turned out blurry.  The fast pace of hiking isn't the best for tripod photography but I still think I captured enough shots showing the beauty of this area.  

The Historic Highway was insanely busy around the Multnomah Falls area and we were glad to drive through a little campground and find this trail off the beaten path with no other hikers.  









The trail itself was not very long (maybe a mile or so) but the fun part just began with bolder climbing and wading through the little river and even finding agates! 

At the end of our climb, we came to this waterfall.  




Glorielle wasn't quite able to climb boulders LOL.  

We saw several frogs and caught this baby one.

Slugs were out enjoying the cool wet weather.


Once we got to the top of the Emerald Gorge waterfall, we realized that this wasn't the destination that we had originally planned on.  With a little research (isn't having a computerized phone with internet capabilities amazing), we realized that the hike we wanted was Oneoata Gorge.  We hiked the 2.8 mile loop not exactly sure where this particular spot was.  It was a bit dangerous for small children but we made it through with Glorielle being carried the whole way and Brighton having his hand held.  

Driving back to the Oneoata trailhead.  Are the trees changing colors?

Horsetail Falls at the beginning of the loop.

Up up up the steep switchback.

Behind Ponytail Falls

More forest creatures enjoying the wet weather.


A summer rain hike!  Every so often a small bit of blue sky would open up but mostly it was a wet "tropical feeling" hike with little rain bursts.

At long last, we found the location of the Oneonta Gorge, it could be accessed wading up the creek.

Brighton was not happy with the cold water on his feet.  

I left the children and Phil to play in the creek and climbed over a big dam of fallen logs that blocked the gorge entryway.  It was so incredibly beautiful but unfortunately, at 5:00, it was quite dark.  I am itching to get back up there on a mid morning sunny day and hike up farther.  Maybe some day.







We changed our wet clothes and shoes and headed toward home.  By the time we got to the Vista Viewpoint (around 6:30), the low lying clouds had disappeared and we could see the beautiful Columbia River.

Looking West

Looking East

I loved these lamp lights lining the steep road along the Vista House.

We stopped at this viewpoint that shows the Vista House.

I snapped this shot while we were driving home on the highway.  At long last, the sun finally came out!  It made for a beautiful sunset.

Comments

  1. tresaSeptember 3, 2014 at 11:01 PM

    wonderful pix, I got off trail at Snoqualmie Pass that day and am w/Dale at Mom's now. Try Eagle Cr Trail at Cascade Locks, south, same type of magnificent views, bu HANG on to the kids! Mom to make a tandem skydive tomorrow...

    ReplyDelete
  2. tresaSeptember 3, 2014 at 11:02 PM

    I am 65 tomorrow

    ReplyDelete

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