Crown Point Vista House Oregon

Vista House at Crown Point Oregon

Crown Point also known historically as Thor's Heights or Thor's Crown is a basalt promontory on the Columbia River Gorge and an associated state park in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Crown Point is one of the scenic lookouts along the Historic Columbia River Highway, providing a panoramic view of part of the Columbia River. It stands 733 feet (223 m) above the river and is the remains of a lava flow that filled the ancestral channel of the Columbia River 14 to 17 million years ago. The Point was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.

The basalts here are from the Wanapum flow of 14.5 million years ago: this lava river essentially filled an old channel of the Columbia River. The pinnacle of Rooster Rock far below is the remains of a landslide that peeled off Crown Point's cliff face. Palisade Falls, visible from the bottomland below, waxes and wanes with rain volume: it can roar spectacularly in the wet season and yet be a wind-blown wisp in the summer. Views extend over 12 miles east one way and the other way to the western portal of the Gorge.

Best view point to see

·         360° Panoramic view of the Columbia Gorge

·         Scenic lookouts of Oregon Cascades

·         Best sunset view of Columbia Gorge

Vista House is an observatory at Crown Point that also serves as a memorial to Oregon pioneers and as a comfort station for travelers on the Historic Columbia River Highway. The site, on a rocky promontory, is 733 feet (223 m) above the Columbia River on the south side of the Columbia River Gorge. The building shows great sensitivity to its site in the Columbia River Gorge near Corbett, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Vista House History

The Vista House was built as a rest stop observatory for travelers on the old Columbia River Gorge Highway and as a fitting memorial honoring Oregon’s pioneers—particularly those who made their way down the Columbia River. Described by its architect, Edgar M. Lazarus, as “a temple to the natural beauty of the Gorge,” Vista House has long been recognized for its historic significance and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. 

The octagonal building with its green ceramic tile roof houses a museum, gift shop and interpretive display of historic and geologic points of interest in the Gorge. The Vista House was built in 1916 at the same time as Highway 30 (what is now the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway, and the only way to reach Crown Point).

How To Reach: Vista House is located in eastern Multnomah County, approximately 15 miles (24 km) east of Portland.

Rodney Falls Washington

Hardy Falls and Rodney Falls Washington

Rodney Water Falls is a pretty two-tiered cascade along Hardy Creek on the southern end of Hamilton Mountain.  A side trail leads up the Pool of the Winds at the top of the falls, which can soak you with wind and spray in a minute if the creek is high.  The trail starts behind Beacon Rock on the Washington side of the Columbia River and rises through woods and a power line cut affording a view of the Columbia River Gorge. 

This hike takes you up a steep but beautifully forested climb to three tiers of waterfalls. Start at the Hamilton Mountain Trail head and climb up to Hardy Creek. You'll come to a side trail leading downhill to a viewpoint of the lowest tier, known as Hardy Falls.

This is a 90 foot plunge straight into a beautiful green pool. Next, after a short distance past the Hardy Falls spur, you'll see a signed spur heading up to the left, leading to Rodney Falls or Pool of the Winds. At Pool of the Winds, Hardy Creek is channeled into a funnel-like chamber in the cliff face. From the Pool of the Winds junction, the main trail switchbacks down to a bridge over Hardy Creek, just at the base of the middle falls of Rodney Falls.

·         Start point: Hamilton Mountain Trail-head

·         End point: Rodney Falls

·         Distance: 2.2 miles

·         High point: 1,035 feet

·         Elevation gain: 700 feet

·         Difficulty: Moderate

Pool of the Winds hike is one of the most popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. The hike starts from the Hamilton Mountain Trail head. The wide, well-groomed trail starts through a forested area and after about 2/10 of a mile comes to a power line clearing. The clearing provides beautiful views of Bonneville Dam and Hamilton Mountain.

After about a mile from the trail head, the trail comes to Hardy Creek. There are three named waterfalls here, even though they could all be considered part of the same waterfall. First, you'll come to a side trail leading downhill to a viewpoint of the lowest tier, known as Hardy Falls. This is a 90 foot plunge straight into a beautiful green pool. There's a wood-railed viewpoint at the top of cliffs, making the view safe.

Back on the main trail, a short distance past the Hardy Falls Spur is a signed spur heading up to the left, leading to Pool of the Winds. At Pool of the Winds, Hardy Creek is channeled into a funnel-like chamber in the cliff face. The water rushes straight down the slot in the wall, around a log that's fallen directly into the shaft. The water has created a deep pool that circulates constantly, creating odd wind currents. The entire scene is viewed through a slot in the rock only about 10 feet wide. When the sun is just right, a rainbow is formed in the spray inside the chamber.

From the Pool of the Winds junction, the main trail switchbacks down to a bridge over Hardy Creek at the base of the Rodney Falls, the middle waterfall here. Rodney water Falls is made up of a number of channels that weave their way across the rock face. It changes greatly with changes in water flow. The dogleg bridge over Hardy Creek is the end of this hike, but the trail continues up to the summit of Hamilton Mountain.

Hamilton Mountain Trail head in Beacon Rock State Park:  Cross Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks (Toll Road). Turn left/west onto WA Hwy 14 and travel seven miles. Watch for Beacon Rock - it will tower in front of you as you approach the state park which is near mile marker 35. Turn right into the campground and follow it uphill a short way. Take your first right into the small trail head parking lot. 

From Vancouver, travel east on WA Hwy 14 for 35 miles. As you near the state park, you will begin to see Beacon Rock. Turn left into the campground (directly across from the Beacon Rock) and follow it uphill a short way. Take your first right into the small trail-head parking lot.

Beacon Rock State Park

Beacon Rock State Park in Washington 

Beacon Rock State Park is a publicly owned recreation area and natural history site on Route 14 in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area about 35 miles (56 km) east of Vancouver, Washington, United States. The state park covers 5,100 acres (2,100 ha), which includes 9,500 feet (2,900 m) of Columbia River shoreline and 4,482 acres (1,814 ha) of forested uplands. The park takes its name from Beacon Rock, an 848-foot (258 m) basalt volcanic plug next to the Columbia River.

Beacon Rock was originally named by Lewis & Clark on the Voyage of Discovery in 1805, but in later years was more commonly known as Castle Rock.

Beacon Rock Hike Description

Beacon Rock is one of the most prominent and distinctive geological features in the Columbia River Gorge, an 848-foot landmark that was once the core of a volcano; what remains is what was not washed away by the massive force of ice-age flooding. It is one of the tallest monoliths (singular piece of rock) in North America, along with California's El Capitan, Georgia's Stone Mountain, and Wyoming's Devils Tower.

·        Start point: Beacon Rock Trail head

·        End point: Summit of Beacon Rock

·        Hike Type: Out and Back

·        Distance: 1.8 miles round trip

·        Elevation gain: 680 feet

·        Difficulty: Moderate

·        Beacon Rock is 848 feet tall and composed of basalt

After a short stroll through the woods, the trail hits the rock with a vengeance. It's not too steep, and most of the surface has been paved over the decades at one time or another. You'll walk on rock, small patches of cement paving, concrete platform bridges and wooden bridges.

How to Reach : From I-205 in Vancouver, drive east on State Highway 14 for 34 miles. The Rock is located on the south side of the highway, just past the Beacon Rock Park Headquarters. Parking for about 30 cars is available at the base of the rock. A Discover Pass machine is at the eastern parking lot, and a picnic table is located at the western lot.

Watson Falls Oregon

Watson Falls in Umpqua National Forest, Oregon

Watson Falls is a 272-foot (83 m) waterfall on Watson Creek, a tributary of the Clearwater River, in Douglas County in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located at an elevation of 3,353 feet (1,022 m).

Oregon is a state known for its spectacular waterfalls, and the North Umpqua River is one of the popular area for waterfall seekers. Watson Falls is the second highest waterfall in the state at 272 feet, and it is accessible via a moderate and scenic trail that is great for hikers of all abilities.

The Watson Falls Trail head provides access to the Watson Falls Trail #1496. The 0.4-mile trail leads to the beautiful Watson Falls. The trail crosses Road 37 and climbs 0.33 miles up to the base of the falls. After that the trail continues up the mossy hill on the right leading to a lookout point with a wooden bench to rest at before the trek back down.

Watson Falls is the highest water fall in southwest Oregon with its 272 foot drop. The trail head provides ample parking with picnic tables tucked inside the forest just off the pavement. Several informative signs in the parking area explain the geology of the falls.

·        Easily accessible 0.6 mile round trip hike.

·        Moss covered paths to massive basalt amphitheater.

·        Location : North Umpqua River , ( Water Falls Near Medford)

·        Umpqua National Forest - Watson Falls Trailhead

How to Reach: From Roseburg, OR, take OR-138 east / northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard. Continue on Highway 138 to milepost 61.3. Turn south off Highway 138 onto Forest Road 37 (Fish Creek Road), approximately 0.25 mile east of the east entrance to Toketee Ranger Station. The parking area is about 0.2 mile on the right.

The parking area is about 500 feet south of Highway 138 on the right side.

Tualatin Hills Nature Park Trail

Beaverton Tualatin Hills Nature Park Trails

The Tualatin Hills Nature Park is a 222-acre nature park and wildlife preserve in Beaverton, Oregon, owned by the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD). It is one of THPRD's two nature parks along with Cooper Mountain Nature Park. The park features 5 miles (8 km) of trails, of which 1.5 miles are paved and 3.5 miles unpaved. The park features a diverse environment including several types of both evergreen and deciduous trees as well as creeks, wetlands, ponds, and meadows.

This nature park is a fascinating place to observe seasonal changes, such as the migration of rough-skinned newts to their breeding ponds or the waves of spring wildflowers or breeding birds. For hikers, birders and botanists of all ages, the mosaic of habitats within the park offers much to be discovered.

The park features about five miles of trail; 1.5 miles of trails are paved, while the remaining 3.5 miles are well-maintained, soft-surface trails. The Oak Trail and sections of the Vine Maple Trail are paved and wheelchair accessible.

The Lupine, Oak, and Vine Maple Trails are universal access trails.

·        Tualatin Hills Nature Park Loop Hike

·        Start point: Millikan Way Trailhead

·        End Point: Lily Pond

·        Hike Type: Loop

·        Distance: 4.3 miles

·        Difficulty: Easy

·        Regulations: No pets allowed

Address : 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton, OR 97006

Hours open: Open daily, dawn to dusk.