Walking with the Gods
... and Hanging in the Hood
A couple of days left and I am totally into the nomadic lifestyle now. Money & work notwithstanding, I would happily extend the road trip.
Anyway, best maximize the last few days. The plan is to explore the Mt Hood area and the Columbia River Gorge. As I look at potential trails to hike, I keep coming across the need for permits. One to bear in mind for future trips, although they are not particularly hard to get - if you know you need them!
First stop today is Multnomah Falls. This is one of Oregon’s premier tourist attractions and is commensurately busy. Now it’s a spectacular waterfall, but the crowds were a bit much. I dutifully took the photographs, headed up to the bridge in front of that falls and fought my way to the photo op.
I then realised that there was a walk to the top of the falls and reasoned (correctly) that far fewer would take that journey, and so that was clearly the route for me. It wasn’t a long walk, but it was pretty steep with lots of switchbacks and the temperature was steadily rising. Now I’m a big fan of how the US manages tourist attractions, but as I got to the top of the climb and then started the descent to the top of the falls, it struck me that this was a very inefficient and very un-American arrangement. I have been made to climb further than strictly necessary. Letters will be written. Or at least emails sent, feedback comments entered, etc.
On the way back down, I overheard someone explaining to their child ( who was probably about 10 or 11) how to walk. Biting down on a comment about helicopter parents, I trudged on down mulling over why young people struggle so much these days.
Further down, someone namechecked my Tilley hat which led to a brief conversation on pro-headwear. Almost made up for the other occasions on this trip when I have been so poorly equipped!
Onwards, and further down the Columbia River Gorge (this is the more verdant western end, rather than the bleak version we first encountered in the Washington scablands) and there is an interesting bridge crossing from Oregon into Washington. It is a grid bridge known as the Bridge of the Gods and apparently you can walk across, although there is no footpath, so you have to share with the cars. Clearly I am going to do this.
On the bridge and the views are spectacular, the wind is howling and it is only mildly terrifying if you look down. It is slightly more terrifying if you look up and see a huge truck bearing down on you. Still, you have to do these things.
…and the bridge also has an interesting mural at the base…
Back along the gorge now, looking at the odd outcroppings (such a Beacon Rock, Rooster Rock and others) where the same immense deluge of water, rocks and icebergs which carved Dry Falls also gouged out the Columbia River Gorge, leaving the odd outlier still standing.
The remaining business of the trip is to explore the vicinity of Mt Hood, one of the string of volcanoes through the Cascades, and the peak which looms over Portland. I am staying at Government Camp, a village on the slopes of Mount Hood. Despite my first impression that this sounded like some dystopian nightmare, it turns out that this is a typical ski-village cum holiday resort and is full of good pubs. I approve. But I digress.
Heading up from Government Camp takes us to some spectacular view of Mt Hood and the Cascades
but also to Timberline Lodge, which was used as the exterior for the hotel in The Shining. Much as with Roslyn, it doesn’t look right without snow - although at least at Timberline there is still some in evidence in July. Have to take that photo op though.
Tomorrow I think will be Trillium Lake and/or Mirror lake ( permits permitting!) - although recent trail reports for Mirror Lake report a bridge out and the need to wade through. Normally this would not be a problem, but the thought of some steaming shoes festering away in a suitcase for 24 hours will need some thought…