Mt. Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River

Product ID: 81249

Supplied by: Americas Hub World Tours

Overview

Gaze in awe as we drive through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and brace yourself for a taste of fantastic scenery First up is Multnomah Falls, the second tallest waterfall in the USA! The most visited waterfall in Oregon, iconic Multnomah Falls is fed by Larch Mountain's underground springs and will leave you breathless. Moving eastward, we'll stop in the charming town of Hood River, located at the confluence of the mighty Columbia and Hood rivers. Your guide will fill you in on the town's rich cultural and environmental history, and introduce you to the kite-boarders and windsurfers that call this area home. After arriving at the Historic Hood River old town, you'll have free time for lunch and exploring the shops and wine-tasting rooms (own expense and time permitting).

Your journey continues with stops at Rowena Crest, a farm stand (seasonally), and Timberline Lodge, nestled at a staggering elevation of 11,249 feet (3,429 meters) on Mt Hood, Oregon's tallest peak (weather permitting). Take a tour of the lodge or enjoy a short walk around the stunning mountain scenery.

The trip concludes with a relaxing drive back to Portland, where you'll be dropped off at AC Hotel Portland Downtown.


Itinerary
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
The Columbia River Gorge takes the crown of the most magnificent views in America, and boy does it deserve it! At the western tip, Crown Point offers a jaw-dropping vantage point of the Columbia River as it slices through the Cascade mountains. Prepare to be dazzled by a cascade of waterfalls, including big names like Multnomah, Bridal Veil and Latourell falls, pouring down basalt cliffs lining the Historic Columbia River Highway. Hold tight, 'cause the scenery only gets more epic as you head east.

Multnomah Falls
Get ready to be swept away by the magic of Multnomah Falls! This 620-foot stunner is fed by underground streams from Larch Mountain, cascading into two breathtaking sections. The upper falls are a jaw-dropping 542 feet, and the lower section drops 69 feet, creating a babbling creek that flows into the majestic Columbia River. Hold onto your hats, folks, because you're looking at the second highest year-round waterfall in the US and the highest in all of Oregon! It's no wonder that this natural gem attracts over 2.5 million visitors each year from every corner of the globe.

And that's not all! At the base of the falls sits the Historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, a one-stop-shop for all your waterfall needs. You can chow down at the restaurant, grab a keepsake at the gift shop, or quench your thirst with a tasty snack or espresso at the bar. Plus, there's an interpretative center to help you understand the fascinating history of the area. Get ready to be mesmerized!

Rowena Crest Viewpoint
Ready for a ride of a lifetime? Buckle up and watch the world transform before your very eyes as we drive east towards the epic Rowena Crest viewpoint. This massive basalt beauty, once known as Memaloose Castle, boasts a jaw-dropping landscape and a road that's a work of art in itself. Back in 1915, the Historic Columbia River Highway was crafted with horse-shoe curves and switchbacks, perfect for low-horsepower vehicles to navigate the 700-foot climb to the top. So, sit back and take in the stunning surroundings as we chug along this horseshoe-shaped road, leading to the top. Behold the breathtaking view from Rowena Crest, showcasing an awe-inspiring landscape carved out by the Missoula Floods during the ice age. Little wonder why this is one of the most photographed spots in Oregon!

Hood River
Get ready to chow down on some serious farm-to-table eats in the charming downtown of Hood River! With an hour to spare for lunch, you can enjoy some of the freshest cuisine sourced locally, all while overlooking the majestic Columbia River. This outdoor haven is a windsurfing paradise, with plenty of hiking, skiing, and biking to keep you on your toes. And don't forget to keep an eye out for those daring windsurfers as they glide across the fourth largest river in North America!

Located just an hour east of Portland, Hood River is a scenic gem nestled in the Columbia River Gorge. It's sandwiched between two potentially active volcanoes, Mt. Adams to the north and Mt. Hood to the south. This former timber town has transformed into an outdoor recreation hub, with amazing activities like white-water kayaking, rock climbing, paragliding, and skiing to get your adrenaline pumping. And when lunchtime rolls around, downtown Hood River has got you covered with a plethora of restaurant and craft brewery options like Boda's Kitchen and Double Mountain Brewery, plus a chance to browse through local boutiques and wine tasting rooms. After lunch, we'll venture into the Hood River Valley, where you'll be dazzled by the natural beauty and thousands of acres of fruit orchards. Soak up the stunning views of the mountains as you learn about the history of the area's agriculture and timber industry.

Timberline Lodge
The majestic Timberline Lodge, perched on the southern side of Mt. Hood, rang in its 75th birthday in 2012. Originally, a brainchild of the Works Project Administration (WPA) art project, the lodge boasts some of the finest examples of artistry from that era, with gorgeous woodwork, ironwork, and paintings. The mountain's natural contours were mirrored in the lodge's design, using stone and wood sourced from the nearby forest. In 1977, it was declared a National Historic Landmark. Nowadays, more than two million visitors flock to Timberline Lodge each year to hit the slopes, hike, or just bask in the glory of the mountain with a glass of Oregon's finest wine.

Mt Hood
The runner-up of the world's most scaled mountains, Mt. Hood, reigns supreme with its 11 frosty glaciers and the sole year-long ski resort in North America. Timberline Lodge, a stunning structure erected during the 1930s WPA program, is now the perfect place to ski, hike, or unwind by the crackling fire, all while basking in the awe-inspiring sight of the towering mountain.

But that's not all! The area around Mt. Hood is a treasure trove of farms, with the Hood River County Fruit Loop being the crown jewel. It's a sprawling expanse of orchards, vineyards, and fields of fragrant lavender and wildflowers.