Start with a delectable wine tasting at Calcagno Cellars in Troutdale, Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge. Then travel the Old Historic Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway, an engineering feat of its day, and learn about the geology and history of one of America’s great gorges. The Old Highway, was designed to showcase the natural wonders of the Columbia River Gorge taking in the beautiful vistas and sheer cliffs, to its gorgeous waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah Falls, second highest water falls in the lower 48. (For those who want the wine tasting, there will probable not be enough time to see both Bonneville Dam/Fish Hatchery and Cascade Locks/ Bridge of the Gods. You’ll be able as a group, to choose which one to see.)
(For those groups not interested in wine tasting, we can tailor the tour to include both Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery and/or a historical tour of Cascade Locks, home of Bridge of the Gods.)
So dress for the weather and make sure to wear some comfortable walking shoes for short hikes to get to the best, up-close viewing locations.
TOUR DETAILS
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Start Time10:00am
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Finish Time6:00ish
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Meeting PlaceFor the time being, all pick ups will need to arranged outside the Portland City limits until I get all my licensing taken care of.
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PriceBase Fee: $540 (6 tickets), then $90 per person after that.
(All wine and sightseeing tours are based on $90 per persons except Coastal Tours.) -
IncludedWater and snacks.
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Lunch optionsMultnomah Fall lodge offers food and snacks as does Cascade Locks.
NOT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?
TOUR ITINERARY
THE WOMEN’S FORUM/CHANTICLEER POINT
The Women's Forum/Chanticleer Point is the first stop with a magnificent view of the Columbia River Gorge and Vista House at Crown Point. Learn about the forces of nature that shaped the gorge, from the rise of the Cascades to the great floods that formed the gorge we see today.
CROWN POINT
Vista House at Crown Point was built as a scenic rest stop on top of Thor’s Ridge. It offers breathtaking views of the Columbia River Gorge and houses an extensive collection of photos showing the construction of the Historic Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway, the first completely navigable road through the gorge connecting The Dalles to Portland in 1916.
LATOURELL FALLS
Latourell Falls, famous not only for the beautiful even spill of water over its 249 ft high basalt cliff, but for the fluorescent lichen that grows on the surrounding cliff faces. We will take a short hike to a viewpoint that overlooks the falls or take the slightly longer walk to the base of the falls to let the cool refreshing spray envelop you.
MULTNOMAH FALLS
Visit the second highest year-round waterfall in the continental United States, 627 ft high Multnomah Falls, one of Oregon’s most beautiful and photographed waterfalls. The waterfall consists of two drops: the larger upper fall and the shorter lower fall which is spanned by an architecturally beautiful foot-bridge. From the base of the falls, it is a 10 minute walk up to the scenic bridge before returning to have lunch in the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge.
HORSETAIL FALLS
At 176 ft, Horsetail Falls is the third highest waterfall on the old highway. There will be an opportunity to get out and take some photos.
BONNEVILLE DAM AND FISH HATCHERY
This was the first dam built on the Columbia River and was dedicated in 1938. Visit the fish ladder and viewing room to watch salmon migrating up the river. At the hatchery, visit the salmon rearing ponds and the underwater viewing room to observe huge rainbow trout and enormous prehistoric sturgeon swimming about.
CASCADE LOCKS
Indian lore has it that a natural bridge, Bridge of the Gods, once spanned the Columbia River at this location many centuries ago. Learn about the history behind the lore and of the plight of the pioneers who had to challenge the rapids that once existed here.
Calcagno Cellars, Troutdale
Enjoy a relaxing hour of wine tasting at Calcagno Cellars before venturing into the wonders of the Columbia River Gorge via the Old Historic Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway.
