When researching hiking trails to add to our vacation itinerary, I chose Hamilton Mountain Trail…read morebecause of the waterfalls..Pool of The Winds, Hardy Falls, & Rodney Falls and also, because it was located across the way from Beacon Rock. It was perfect weather for our hike on September 3, 2021 & it took my hubby & I almost 2 hours to hike up to the Pool of The Winds waterfall & back down. We did make multiple stops along the trail to take pictures/videos & to catch our breath. :)) While, I don't consider myself an avid hiker, I do consider myself in pretty good shape BUT I did NOT feel in good shape a few times during our hike up Hamilton Mountain! Going straight up that mountain is no joke! No worries though, I pulled through & made my way up that mountain & back down w/out any assistance...barely! :)) There are a few spots where the climb is very steep & slippery so be mindful of your steps. For sure having actual hiking boots would have served me better than the running shoes, I had on. Okay, so enough of my "out of shape" info..let's move on to the awesomeness of Hamilton Mountain Trail. As you are climbing up the trail, you're surrounded by huge trees & everything around you is so still & just peaceful. There is a small bench for sitting along the way & if you keep going pass that, you eventually come to an open clearing and the waterfalls. The waterfalls themselves are just so awesome! Mother Nature really is displaying her best work when you're standing right next to a waterfall! The Pool of The Winds waterfall was my favorite & there's a bridge right beneath it that is the perfect picture backdrop. I also wanted to add that it wasn't crowded at all during our visit & we did go on a Saturday around 2:30pm. Lastly, there was plenty of parking & a restroom at the beginning of the trail head. Hope this info helps! ~Rebecca out

We hiked Beacon Rock the day before, and this trail is right across the street. In fact, you can…read moreget a good view of Beacon Rock through the trees from the Upper Parking Lot. The hike to Rodney Falls and Pool of the Winds seemed do-able, and we had a short amount of time, so we thought we could knock it out. As we started out, we learned that it had a pretty steep incline, and was a bit of a butt burner on the way up. I'm not an avid hiker, so let's just say I had a bit of a rough time (gasp) with lots of stops for photos (read: to catch my breathe). There are tons of trees for shade, with a few sun spots here and there. Just as I thought I couldn't hike another step, a fellow hiker offered encouragement, letting me know it was just a few minutes farther. And boy was it worth it. Pool of the Winds is a gorgeous falls with a clear pool of mountain water. And there are several spots to get good views of Rodney Falls and to continue on the hike if you choose (I did not!). Easy time going down. Quite a few people had hiking poles, to make it easier on the knees. I'd call this a success! (even with sore legs for a day or two afterward).

I LOVED this trail. So much fun with so much to see along the way and gorgeous views of the gorge…read moreand Mt Hood. The Labyrinth links to a few trails including Coyote Wall. Although the Labyrinth alone is shown as a 3 1/2 mile out and back there is a link trail at Labyrinth Falls that shoots over the ridge and towards Little Maui Falls Trail and Coyote, as well as a signed junction pointing you towards each falls. These trails are clearly popular with bikers and hikers. Signage states that dogs have to be leashed December to July. Aside from the constant epic views, the landscape is unique with streams, falls, springtime flowers, and (I assume) ground squirrels popping up and down from their homes. We started at the trailhead at the junction of Old Hwy 8 and the 14 at Rowland Lake. There's a small parking area there with more parking along the 8. The trail actually starts by heading up the semi-creepy abandoned hwy 8 where you'll quickly encounter Lower Labyrinth Falls. Soon you'll encounter trail signage that'll lead you on your way. Just a stunning trail, other worldly. We only covered part of the trails available in the area and can't wait to return for more!

First, check out the website for details on how to access this interesting, short hike…read more Second, don't bring dogs--the grated platform will injure their paws. Third, wear solid walking or running shoes. Hiking boots are good, too. The footing is always even and smooth, but it's mostly great. Thanks to the creative folks who thought of this as a hike for the public--it's fun, safe (assuming you make good choices) and another reason to visit Hood River. There are beaches you can enjoy for the day but no bathrooms, water, or garage cans. Also, no overnight camping. It's an easy hike. https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Hood_River_Pipeline_Hike

One of my favorite easy hikes. The abandoned building covered in graffiti is always exciting to see…read moreand the actual hike is scenic and beautiful. You walk along a metal grate the whole time and are guided by rails on both sides. The fall foliage and the roaring river makes it incredibly worth it. And whenever I've been there's never too many people to enjoy it. 10/10! So fun!

Wide paved trail, gorgeous scenery, beautiful vistas. I wish for a continuous trail from The…read moreDalles to Portland.

Sweeping views of the majestic Columbia River and basalt cliffs lead you to the Mosier Twin…read moreTunnels, a stunning piece of engineering that has been restored. Located on the original Scenic Highway, which is now the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and is a car free zone, the trail offers those walking, jogging or cycling stunning views of the Columbia River, beautiful in every season. The trail is 4.5 miles and connects Mosier in the east to Hood River in the west with parking lots on both ends. A State Parks Pass ( $5 ) is required and the views are more than worth it! A payment box and envelopes are provided, but make sure you have a pen to fill in the info. There are restrooms and they are the open toilet type, so this is not the time to drop your cellphone! If you start in Mosier, park in Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead Lot East which is actually past the start of the trailhead. After paying for the pass, head right out of the lot and just a short distance down the hill on the left is the entrance. You will pass through an area filled with granite and lava rocks and many trees damaged by the fires - then you will continue up and the path will run high above and parallel to the river. Parts of the trail have the classic white fence railing and some parts have the original stone railings with arches giving glimpses of the view below. Continue on the trail for approximately one mile and you will arrive at the tunnels. The first tunnel has an incredible wooden structure entry, it's magnificent! As you walk through, it becomes rock and very cavernous. There are a few side passages that lead to windows with views to 18 Mile Island and the river. You will then come to a rock catchment structure, added during restoration in the 1990s, and then the second tunnel. Beyond the tunnels the trail continues west for another 3.4 miles. At the Mark O. Hatfield Parking West, where there is an interpretive center that provides more detail on the tunnels and the Historic Highway. I was in awe of the views and couldn't stop taking pictures along the way! Since it's the end of March, the trees were not yet bloomed so the views of the river were mostly unobstructed. Wildflowers like the grass widow and dessert parsley were just starting to bloom. I'll be back in a few weeks when the trail will be filled with glorious flowers! Ponderosa pines are everywhere as are pinecones! There is a viewpoint right before the East entry to the tunnels. It will only set you back 1/10 of a mile and it's totally worth walking to for a full 180 degree vantage point. There is even a picnic table nearby for resting or a lunch break. These tunnels are a marvel! Built in 1921, the tunnels were created to get through a high rock point. The design was inspired by the Axenstrasse on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Although beautiful and a highlight for those driving this route, rockfalls were common and accidents frequent so the original Scenic Highway was abandoned in 1954 and a new Scenic Highway built at water level. By the 1990s, the tunnels were completely filled with rock rubble; in the mid 90s work began to restore the tunnels. It was a massive undertaking and now the tunnels and road has been transformed for everyone to enjoy. The Mosier Tunnels are a must see! The trail is easy since it's paved - which is a requirement for me and my knees - so it's family friendly and a doable hike for most anyone. There is a gradual elevation to 430 feet if you start on the east side. There is one handicapped parking spot right at the trailhead entry. Dogs on leashes are allowed. Bicycles and e-bikes but no motorized skateboards. If you are walking, be aware of the cyclists as they go fast when heading downhill to the east end. After exploring the Mosier Twin Tunnels, drive down to the quaint town of Mosier and have a delicious tamale, taco or burrito at either of the two taco trucks. Stellar coffee and scones are a must at Randonnee Coffee. Casual dinner at MoCo (Mosier Company) at the outdoor picnic tables and fire pits is always a good choice. And take the short drive up to Rowena Crest for more iconic views!

4.9 mi, 1503 ft elevation gain, 2hrs 3 min to complete…read more Awesome trail as always. We beat the crowds and attempted to do this as a sunrise hike. We were a bit too late, but caught a bit of the sunrise on the way up. Clouds and fog were swirling around and moving fast at the top. Absolutely beautiful. Wish I had a hot cup of coffee at the top to enjoy! No parking pass or special access permit required before 0900!!!

Probably my favorite hike on the Oregon side of the Columbia gorge. The views are spectacular as…read moreyou navigate the trail! And the view at the top is worth the effort. This is a moderate intensity hike but it is consistently graded throughout; a great hike if you only have about two hours and want some cardio in your day. The trail is clearly defined and easy to follow. The hike is marvelous in the summer on a clear sunny day! However, the views on the trail are a bit better during the colder months when the leaves are off the trees. Either way, you get a lovely view of the Gorge that is mostly unrestricted as you get near the peak. There is a dedicated parking lot at the trailhead but spots are limited. No permits are required. There is also no public restroom available so plan accordingly. Enjoy!

The scenic highway is about 10 miles long with single lanes in each direction. Alongside six…read morewaterfalls, there are several viewpoints including Vista House, a museum and a conference center. Parking lots are available near Multnomah, Bridal's Veil and Latourell falls. The parking fee is $12 for all lots for the day. It took us about 2.5 hours to drive from Multnomah falls to all the way down to end of the highway. The duration varies based on the time spent on each of the location along the way. The highway is in good condition, I didn't notice any ditch or broken patches. Up from the hill, most of the drive had stunning view of the Columbia river, the banks and surrounding landscape. The I-84 interstate runs along some part of the drive, adding some excitement with the high speed traffic. All in all it is one of the must visit places for anyone visiting Portland, Oregon.

Extraordinarily beautiful! Whether you are taking a drive, riding your bike, or hiking the trail,…read morethe historic Columbia River Highway (Scenic Hwy 30) is a must experience. As you follow the twists and turns of the road, incredible vistas of the Columbia River, the basalt cliffs of the gorge and the rolling hills dotted with orchards and farms awaken all of your senses. This is incredible territory and makes you understand why the early settlers came from far away to live here! Accolades to the Civic Engineering team who built the the many stone guardrails with arches, meticulous work to creat the symmetry, and the many tunnels along the way. The tunnels were cut right into the rock cliff. Amazing! over 100 years later, we are still marveling at the engineering feat and using this road, tunnels and bridges to explore this marvelous country. In several areas there are white metal guardrails that create a stunning contrast to all the green and blue along the way. The road starts around Corbett - make sure to stop At Chanticleer Point for the most amazing view, the Crown Point and Vista House for more - and continue to Hood River and then Mosier, a quant and charming town of just 430. Along the way there are dozens of trails to hike, look out points to pull over, and waterfalls to see from the road. This route never gets boring. Every day is different based in the sun, clouds, blooms and foliage. it's living art and it makes me happy every single time I am traveling this route. Breathe it all in, it's good for the soul!

My wife and I set out for an adventure from East Vancouver, heading to Dog Creek Falls, which we…read morereached in about an hour. The falls are conveniently located right off the highway, with ample parking available. In fact, we had the place to ourselves for the first 25 minutes or so. From the parking lot, it's just a short, easy walk--about 100 yards--to the falls. The waterfall is absolutely stunning, with crystal-clear water cascading into a serene, picturesque setting that feels tucked away from the world.

A small waterfall...especially if compared to the endless supply of spectacular falls along the…read moreColumbia Gorge. There's a nice sign for Dog Creek easily seen when traveling along the 14. If you're heading west you might not see the turnoff to the parking area until you pass it. There's a decent amount of parking available, but no toilet or trash bins. Dog Creek is sweet and in a peaceful setting. The falls are easily seen from the highway, but a very short path leads from the lot to the water. A small and simple single drop falls comes down from the canyon, however we took the drone up and could see there's quite a bit more to the river and falls higher up...we did not attempt to venture up there though. There's a small pool at the base of the falls and great shade. I could see it be a nice place for families to picnic and kiddos to splash around in the summer. In an area full of fabulous hikes and sites Dog Creek Falls might not stand out, but it's a easy place to stop off the highway and quickly enjoy a falls with the fam.

Great hike definitely recommend it. ending is a little lame not as cool as I was expecting but…read moregreat views on the way

We'd always meant to stop at Elowah and McCord, but never seemed to time it right while hiking in…read morethe gorge. We made it today...a Sunday morning about 10am. There were 2 cars at the head when we arrived, but it was full by the time we returned. Elowah and Nesmith Point trails are closed, so Upper McCord had to do. It was clear early on that Mother Nature would like to take back the area...the trail closed in on us most of the way as greenery is swallowing up the trail. You can still easily push through, but you might want long pants to complete this one right now. The mile-long trail is rock and dirt with a steady climb up. It's mostly switchbacks, making the climb pretty easy. You get great views of Beacon Rock, the gorge, and Mt Adams as you proceed. You can see Elowah once you reach the rocky overhang and guardrail section...push through a bit further and you'll get a nice view of Upper McCord as well. There are good aspects and not-so-good aspects to this one. While the falls are both pretty and the trail short and fairly easy, it definitely wasn't one of my favorite hikes.