Track #508: Multnomah Falls - Oneota George - Ainsworth State Park

Multnomah Falls

Day #505 * Hike #574 * New Track #508
Tuesday April 3, 2012
Multnomah Falls - Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon
Oneota Gorge
Ainsworth State Park
My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 1.25 Miles * +50 Feet

The conclusion of my visit to the Columbia River Gorge.  Without a doubt, I will return to explore further, including Mt. Hood.  But for now, enjoy the pics...

 Both Kids bundled up for this one!

 Trailhead

 Lower Falls

 Upper Falls

Due to the heavy rain, the trail up was blocked off.  That being said, we saw a guy walk across the bridge but with two young kids and one being in a cast, we turned around.  My understanding is that the trail up climbs about 650 feet and I assume that there are miles of trails to connect to  Wahkeena Falls and Oneonta Falls.  Instead, we traveled down river to cross under the freeway...

 Water is just pouring off the mountain everywhere!

Come by Train 

 From a distance; don't go Bette Midler on me!

We jumped back in the car after this and continued up the road.  Next stop:

 Oneonta Gorge

 According to the map, you may hike back a mile to reach the falls

 ...or you could drive a bit further to see these from the car...

 Horsetail Falls

 Muddy Trails

I went alone for a moment and turned back.  We still have lots to do today and this whole section of the trip was completely unexpected.  In total, this area set up back several hours but it was well worth it!

 Ainsworth State Park (further up the road)

 Near Dodson, exit 35 from I-84

 Looking back on the Columbia from a view point

Back on the freeway and onward to Kelso and St. Helens...

New Track #507: Wahkeena Falls

Wahkeena Falls

Day #505 * Hike #573 * New Track #507
Tuesday April 3, 2012
Wahkeena Falls - Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon
My Tripometer: 30 Minutes * 1 Mile * +100 Feet

 Wahkeena Falls Trailhead

 This is a good place to open up the legs for a journey

 Alyssa bundled up as we conquered the one switchback to the top

 You feel small out here

 The maid of the mist

 Looking down river

 The camera and water become one

 Let's continue higher...

 Notice the gentle falls in the distance...

We turned around from here and went back to the car.  Our goal on this mission was to reach Multnomah Falls.  According to the trail sign, the low trail will take you there in a half mile.  I offered to jog this one alone to meet my wife at the spot, but she didn't want to get out of the car to drive.  Huh?  It's okay, she's been a great sport so I completed a mile in this area and drove up to the next spot...

Day 505: Shepperd's Dell & Bridal Veil Trail along the Historic Columbia River Highway

The forest above at Shepperd's Dell

Day #505 * Hike #572 * New Track #506
Tuesday April 3, 2012
Shepperd's Dell - Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon
Bridal Veil Trail
My Tripometer: 45 Minutes * 1 Mile * +50 Feet

The day continues along the Historic Coumbia River Highway.  Next stop, Shepperd's Dell:

 Shepperd's Dell Trailhead

 Long Narrow Falls best seen from the top of the trail

 Looking Back...

 Very easy and short trail; You must look up to absorb the beauty!

 Don't fall in!

There are no other alternative routes from here so Ayden and I ran back to the car.  The drive continued less than a mile to Bridal Veil...

 Bridal Veil Trailhead

Ayden did not want to walk with me on this one because he did not immediately see the falls.  I ran up a bit and then turned around.  Truly, this was not fair to my wife and Alyssa.  The rain was constant and she was not interested in soaking her cast...

 A random waterfall further up the road...

Looking over the Columbia River

Jumping back into the car, the best falls are yet to come...

Day 505: Latourell Falls - Historic Columbia River Highway - Crown Point Vista House

Latourell Falls



Day #505 * Hike #571 * New Track #505
Tuesday April 3, 2012
Latourell Falls - Troutdale to Corbett, Oregon
Historic Columbia River Highway
Women's Forum Overlook
Crown Point Vista House
My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours * 1.25 Miles * +75 Feet

 Welcome to Troutdale on a very rainy day!

Directions:
From Portland, Oregon, follow the 84 Freeway East about 16 miles from City Center.  Take exit 17 and follow signs to Troutdale.  This will put you on Historic Route 30.  Follow the road and enjoy the show.

 first waterfall on the left

Ok, not so impressive, but the area was cool.  We learned about this scenic route from our random stop in at the Visitor Center yesterday at Portland's Pioneer Square.  The lady said we could drive the route and view the falls from the car.  She said there would be many hiking opportunities as well, but nothing found here...

 okay, another trickle of water.  Cool...

 Hmm, I didn't get out of the car for this one either...

 A little bit nicer.  In the rain, I walked around a bit

 Getting better,,,  Cool scenic drive for sure!

 I walked off the road to catch this one.  Still raining constantly

 Pretty Trees

 Women's Forum Overlook

This is a good spot to park the car and walk around.  Views from many directions.  I took care of my camera in the rain, wiping it constantly as I got drenched.  All this and I only decided to use this one picture above.  It was foggy but we had just enough visibility to get the job done.  So far, loving this route!

 Don't worry, this wasn't my car - Drive Carefully in the Rain!!!

 Views at the Crown Point Vista House

 The Road goes lower from here into the thick of the wet wild

Finally, the Latourell Falls Trailhead

 We didn't climb this trail - follow the lower trail...

 Now we/re talkin!

 Only Ayden joined me on this one

 Splash!

 Magnificent!

The trail continued further.  We trekked it a bit but figured that we should get back to Jess and Alyssa.  Sissy couldn't really go out in this because of her cast.  The bridge is no more than a quarter mile from the car parking..  All and all, I figured I trekked just over a mile in total at this point today.  We ran back to the car, blasted the heat and the day would continue...

New Track # 504: Portland State University - The Old Church

The Old Church at Portland State University

Day #504 * Hike #570 * New Track #504
Monday April 2, 2012
Portland State University - Portland, Oregon
The Old Church
My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 2 Miles * +75 Feet

 Just driving by, seemed like a cool place for a hike

 Free random adventures for the kids

 Frisbee Football and Soccer - Alyssa wanted to play!

 Scenic walking - Very Pleasant

Ira Keller Fountain (Dry)

We called it an early night.  Today was meant to begin with a morning buffet in Vegas, airport travel and dinner in Portland but come to find out Spirit Airlines changed our plans.  Instead of the flight leaving Vegas at 3:30 pm, it left at 11:00am.  We would also have to contend with a 4-hour change on the way home!  I tried to change the flight but the company wanted to charge me $800!!  Are you crazy!! 

Spirit Airlines is HORRIBLE.  Although, they are the cheapest way to fly; if you aren't bringing any luggage.  We condensed our bags into oversize free personal items (gotta way with it) and one 40-pound check in bag for like $50.  Most airline allow 50 pounds so it was a struggle condensing - condensing.

The worst part of the Spirit experience is the seating.  Literally, you are sitting in an old gray seat and you have about as much room in this seat as you would in the back of a Ford Mustang.  **This was my second attempt to fly Spirit.  If you recall, my Vegas Trip last year was my first when Spirit left without my family.  I decided to drive on that trip instead and fought for the credit.  I applied that credit to this trip.  All in all, I guess if you are paying attention, this is not a bad deal.  I spent about $400 for a family of four to fly round trip from Vegas to Portland.  Hey, we made it a vacation and it all worked out!