Bingo Clues
We've provided historical stories and information on where to find each Bingo square. Good luck!
Crossing the Eagle Creek Bridge in the 1920's (photo courtesy of ODOT)
Print-Friendly Bingo Clues
Carry these clues with you by printing off the PDF doc.Trip #1: Waterfall Alley
Trip #2: Central Gorge
Trip #3: Eastern Gorge
We encourage you to spend three days (one trip per day) along the Historic Highway to slowly explore and appreciate all that the highway has to offer!
Squares with this icon: Leave your vehicle for a short hike or bike!
Trip #1: Waterfall Alley
Row 1
#1, B1: Visit Historic TroutdaleCoined the “Gateway to the Gorge,” this city at the western boundary of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area provides a great starting point for your road trip. The town was named in 1880 by Captain John Harlow, who had a trout-stocked fish pond in a small dale near his house.
#1, I1: Selfie with Sam Hill
“Who in the Sam Hill was Sam Hill?” Sam Hill was larger than life. He was a businessman, philanthropist, and an advocate for good roads. Sam was the driving force behind the Columbia River Highway; in fact, it’s safe to say that without his influence, there would be no Historic Highway today. Stop at Portland Women’s Forum State Park and locate the profile of Sam Hill on a plaque on the big rock near the entrance to the park. I’m sure Sam will hold still for your selfie. Share your photo on Instagram at #gorgebingo if you want.
Note: There is a new bronze statue of Sam Hill and Historic Highway engineer Samuel Lancaster at Visionary Park & Monument in Troutdale. Feel free to take a visit.
#1, N1: Historic Route 30 Sign
The sign reads “Historic Route” with “Oregon – US 30” on a shield in the middle located along the entire route of the Historic Highway. The Historic Columbia River Highway is a 73-mile section of the entire 3,073-milelong Route 30, which runs east-west between Astoria, Oregon, and Atlantic City, New Jersey.
#1, G1: Latourell Falls Lichen
This brightly-colored lichen on the basalt cliff face of 249-foot Latourell Falls uniquely identifies it among all other Gorge waterfalls. Rumor has it that back in the day someone tried to clean off the lichen, but that’s never been proven.
#1, O1: White Guardrail
Pay attention and you’ll see white fences along the sides of the highway. This was a key element when designing the highway. None of the original guardrails exist today, however. The ones you see today still have the same look as the originals: two wooden rails painted white. However, today these are reinforced with steel backing so they can pass the crash test required by safety regulations.
Row 2
#1, 2B: "Million Dollar Outhouse"Vista House was built for three purposes; a memorial to the pioneers who journeyed west to establish the Oregon territory, an observatory for the awe-inspiring views, and as a comfort station for travelers.
After the Historic Highway opened in 1916, women travelers noticed a profound lack of “comfort stations” along the route. On May 5, 1918, the Vista House on Crown Point opened its doors to a comfort station at the cost of $99,148.05 – almost eight times the original estimate! “Million Dollar Outhouse” might sound like an exaggeration but in fact, according to the U.S. government’s inflation calculator, the amount spent on Vista House in 1918 is equivalent to about $1.6 million in today’s dollars. That was one very expensive bathroom!
Say hello to the Friends of Vista House volunteers who are eager to share historical stories, facts, and other information with you. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week.
#1, 2I: National Scenic Area Sign
After crossing the Troutdale Bridge you may notice one of the Historic Route 30 signs directly in front of you. Turning right, you will also pass a different sign. This one announces that you are entering the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This special land designation was passed in 1986 to protect the Gorge’s natural, scenic, cultural, and recreational resources. Here, you are on the right track for Historic Highway.
#1, 2N: Horsetail Falls
Beautiful Horsetail Falls is a couple miles east of Multnomah Falls and can be seen from the Historic Highway. In fact, the highway comes so close to Horsetail Falls, its mist may cool you in summer, or make the highway icy-slick in winter. How do you think this waterfall got its name?
#1, 2G: Thor's Height
Named for Thor, the Norse god of thunder, today we know Thor’s Height as Crown Point (where Vista House is located). The highway ascends more than 600 feet along sheer cliffs to this scenic viewpoint. This is a very windy spot in the Gorge with winds howling to speeds more than 100 mph. Hold your hats!
#1, 2O: Oneonta Tunnel
Road engineers built a tunnel through Oneonta Bluff because the railroad tracks occupied the only stretch of dry land here. A beautiful 125-foot long tunnel came to be. Sadly, the tunnel was backfilled in 1948 when the railroad and the Historic Highway were moved to the north, and the tunnel was no longer needed. In 2006, the tunnel was reopened to pedestrian traffic as part of the Historic Highway State Trail. Oregon Geographic Names indicates that Oneonta may have been named after the steamboat Oneonta.
Row 3
#1, 3B: Simon Benson's Plaque at Wahkeena FallsVisit the viewing plaza at Wahkeena Falls to find the plaque about Simon Benson. He was a lumber baron, philanthropist and another major force and financial backer of the Historic Highway. There is a second plaque at Multnomah Falls honoring Simon Benson. You may also be familiar with the bridge in front of Multnomah Falls which is called the Benson Bridge. The Benson Hotel, Benson High School and the famed Benson Bubblers (the water fountains found in downtown Portland) are the result of Mr. Benson’s generosity.
#1, 3I: Shepperds Dell Bridge and Falls
George Shepperd owned the property including Young’s Creek and the waterfall. He called this area Shepperds Dell. The beautiful setting served as a place of worship for him and his family. Samuel Lancaster convinced Shepperd to share that beauty with others. Therefore Shepperd donated the waterfall and land to the City of Portland (later to be conveyed to Oregon State Parks) in memory of his late wife. Walk the stairway down to the base of the waterfall of Young’s Creek. Spend a moment in reverence. Read more: https://wyeastblog.org/2014/03/16/the-farmer-and-his-dell/
#1, 3N: Beauty Shot
The highway’s engineer Samuel Lancaster looked for “beauty spots” in the Columbia River Gorge and found ways to take users to these waterfalls and scenic vistas. Find your own place along the Historic Highway that you find beautiful. Snap a photo and share it on Instagram (#gorgebingo) or any other way you prefer. Make sure you park your car in an official parking area and stay on the trail when selecting your “beauty shot.”
#1, 3G: Original Rock Wall
Italian stonemasons were hired and brought here to create a “poem in stone” along the Historic Highway. This nickname for the highway comes from the significant number of stone walls that were built at viewpoints. Samuel Lancaster believed these walls “added greatly to the charm to the highway.”
Dry masonry rock retaining walls are a special type of rock wall. No mortar was used in the construction. Excellent examples of rock walls can be found all along the Historic Highway. An excellent viewing spot is at Crown Point. The rock wall below Vista House and above the roadway is amazing!
#1, 3O: Fern
As he was building the Historic Highway, engineer Samuel Lancaster was careful to “not mar the natural beauty as best he could.” To show off the “beauty spots,” Samuel remembered his mother long ago warning him: “Be careful with my Boston fern, Samuel!” Lush examples of the variety of ferns can be found all along Waterfall Alley. Hike up any waterfall trail and admire the various types of native ferns. How many can you name? Hint: many ferns are identified in the landscaping in front of Multnomah Falls Lodge.
Row 4
#1, 4B: Portland Women's ForumMany photographers, long before the Historic Highway was even built, took beautiful photographs from what is known today as Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint. Still today, this is one the most photographed spots in the Columbia Gorge. Looking east is Vista House atop Crown Point in the foreground and Beacon Rock in Washington state in the background. Give us your best shot and share it on Instagram at #gorgebingo if you want!
Portland Women's Forum is a group that has been active in the Gorge since 1946. The founding members were responsible for recognizing that this viewpoint was special and should be saved from private development and shared with Gorge visitors forever. The ladies had teas, sales and raised the funds to buy this viewpoint and eventually gifted the property to the Oregon State Parks who now take care of this beautiful spot for all to enjoy.
#1, 4I: Highest Point
You may think Crown Point or Rowena Crest is the highest point along the Historic Highway, but it’s actually just east of Corbett, near the intersection of Larch Mountain Road and the Historic Highway. Here you are about 1,000 feet above the Columbia River.
This is also the former location of the Summit Gas Station. In May 1914 the Ross family opened a small ice cream parlor at the Summit, managed by their daughter, Laura Ross. By May 1915, Jim Ross had added a gasoline station to the business complex.
#1, 4N: Out of State License Plate
Take a look around any Historic Highway parking lot and trailhead. Not just our Washington neighbors, but other out-of-state plates can be found here, as well as from Canada. It demonstrates the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is an international treasure. How far away of a license plate can you find?
#1, 4G: Water Fountain
In the early days of the Historic Highway, water fountains dotted the highway to quench the thirst of highway travelers and to cool down overheating Model T’s. A few water fountains still can be found today. One is near Ainsworth State Park. It runs seasonally and has some of the best tasting water around.
#1, 4O: Bridal Veil Falls
This waterfall looks much like a bride’s veil as it cascades down its cliff face. This waterfall is unique in that it is the only waterfall on the Waterfall Alley that is below the Historic Highway. This park was acquired so one could view the falls. Enjoy the short walk along a descending trail to a viewing platform. Before it became a state park this area used to be the site of an old motor motel and café.
For several years, Friends of the Columbia Gorge held work parties here clearing blackberry vines and other invasive plants. Lo and behold, once all the weeds were removed a beautiful view of the Columbia River – and beyond – was discovered.
Row 5
#1, 5B: Latourell Creek BridgeBridge engineer Karl Billner designed Latourell Creek Bridge and several other bridges along the highway. In 1914, Billner used a new material to build the bridge – reinforced concrete. The bridge deck was made in one continuous pour lasting 30 hours. One of the best views of the bridge is from below it - along the trail from Guy W. Talbot State Park. Pay close attention to the three 80-ft. tall arches on this 100 ft. tall bridge.
#1, 5I: Yellow Striping on Road
There are a couple different stories of how the center stripe down the middle of a highway came to be. One version states it was first used on the Rowena Loops, to keep traffic on the proper side of the road. Another version indicates Multnomah County Sheriff Peter Rexford came up with this idea. Rexford paid for the paint and several locals hand-painted a center stripe down the highway east of Corbett to Latourell in 1917! Whatever version you go with, the yellow striping on the road was first used in Oregon.
#1, 5N: Chanticleer Inn Site
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint was the site of the Chanticleer Inn, built in 1912. Margaret Henderson’s hospitality and chicken dinners earned a place in the hearts of the Portland elite, even before the Historic Highway was built. Early train travelers could take a shuttle and brave a winding road from the base of the cliff to the inn. Portions of that road still exist. The upper end of it can be accessed by hikers from the western side of the parking lot. Several vistas can be enjoyed by those taking the time to walk the existing portion of the road which is passable for eight-tenths of a mile from the parking lot.
Chanticleer Point was named by Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Morgan who purchased the property in 1912 and built an inn on the point with “one of the most magnificent views in the world.” They called their popular inn "Chanticleer" after the rooster in the story "Reynard the Fox." The area took on the name of the inn and is still known by some as Chanticleer Point.
Also to note, this location was as far east as one could go by road prior to the development of the Historic Highway.
#1, 5G: Rotary Wheel at Wahkeena
This bronze, cogged wheel was dedicated by the Portland Rotary Club in 1916 at Wahkeena Falls as the centerpiece of a large fountain. In 1985, the artwork was installed at Horsetail Falls, without its fountain base. Sadly it was stolen from there. However, it was recovered! The Rotary wheel is now back at Wahkeena Falls in a different, less-prominent location so it is more difficult to steal. See if you can find it. Hint: it’s on the opposite side of the highway from the waterfall.
#1, 5O: Crown Point Figure 8 Loops
At Crown Point, road engineer Samuel Lancaster encountered a difficult section to build the highway. It was very steep, so he designed a series of loops to gradually descend the hillside. Making four turns, the highway parallels itself five times, keeping to a maximum 5% grade.
Trip #2: Central Gorge
Row 1
#2, 1B: McCord Creek Bridge
The original 365-ft. McCord Creek Bridge was built in 1915 and was more utilitarian in design, lacking the beautiful arches and design elements of other Historic Highway bridges that Samuel Lancaster and Karl Billner designed. This bridge has been replaced a couple of times and the one standing today over McCord Creek was built in 2012 with a vintage Art Deco design. It is part of the six-mile, car-free section of the Historic Highway State Trail between the John B. Yeon trailhead and Cascade Locks. You can get to this bridge by walking east for about two-tenths of a mile from the John B. Yeon trailhead. This trailhead also accesses both the Elowah and Upper McCord Creek waterfalls.
#2, 1I: Selfie With Sacagawea
While in Cascade Locks, pause outside the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler building and take a selfie with the statue of Sacagawea. Share your photo on Instagram #gorgebingo if you’d like. The beautiful bronze statue, created by local artist Heather Soderberg, honors the only female member of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery. Soderberg’s studio is across Wa Na Pa Street and open daily for visitors. Reservations are encouraged: http://heathersoderberg.com.
Directions: From Wa Na Pa Street, turn north onto NW Portage Road. After crossing under the railroad tracks, turn right. Continue to the end of the road. The statue is in the circle to the left of the Port of Cascade Locks Sternwheeler building.
#2, 1N: Ruckel Creek Falls
Take a short walk to see Ruckel Creek Falls, one of the more underrated Columbia Gorge waterfalls. Park at Eagle Creek and follow the Historic Highway State Trail east toward Cascade Locks. You’ll walk alongside Interstate 84 until you reach the forest and a restored section of the Historic Highway. Arriving at Ruckel Creek cross over a small bridge and take a look below the low rock wall to find Ruckel Creek. Upstream is the strenuous Ruckel Creek hike, a real workout with a springtime payoff of meadows of shooting star wildflowers.
We apologize for the misspelling of Ruckel Creek Falls on the printed bingo game.
#2, 1G: Eagle Creek Stairs
The Eagle Creek stairs can be found adjacent to Exit #41, eastbound on Interstate 84. The stairs are the only way up or down as you walk or bike the Toothrock-to-Eagle Creek section of the Historic Highway State Trail. A trough at the side of the stair rail allows you to push your bike up or down the stairs a bit easier.
#2, 1O: Watercraft on Columbia River
Be it for fishing, exploration, transportation or recreation, watercraft have been floating the Columbia River for centuries.
A good place to watch barges work their way through the locks at Bonneville Dam is near Toothrock. Park at Toothrock trailhead and walk east on the Historic Highway State Trail for a half-mile to the stone wall viewing area overlooking the river to see the barges. You can also see sailboaters, windsurfers, kite boarders, kayakers, and stand-up paddle boarders in Hood River. In Cascade Locks you may spot the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler coming and going from Cascade Locks Marine Park to Bonneville Dam.
Note: If you continue east on the Historic Highway State Trail from Toothrock you’ll end up at Eagle Creek in 1.4 miles.
Row 2
#2, 2B: Wa Na Pa StreetIn Cascade Locks, the Historic Highway doubles as Wa Na Pa Street, the town’s main thoroughfare. Gas, food, lodging and much more can be found in Cascade Locks, so park and take some time to explore this charming community. Cascade Locks has some beautiful parks, a fine brewpub (Thunder Island Brewing), and very popular soft-serve ice cream cones at East Wind Drive-In.
#2, 2I: Spawning Salmon
Salmon have been an important source of food and culture in and along the Columbia River for hundreds of years. Salmon are anadromous fish, meaning they travel to the ocean and return to die in the place they were born. You can see this occurring every fall when salmon return from the Pacific Ocean to the Columbia River and travel to their ancestral streams to reproduce (spawn) and die. The Eagle Creek Bridge, next to the fish hatchery, is a great place to witness this amazing seasonal journey. Tanner Creek along the Wahclella Falls trail is another place to find spawning salmon.
#2, 2N: Toothrock Viaduct
The huge rock formation west of Eagle Creek is known as Toothrock. Samuel Lancaster engineered a road around this rock by designing a viaduct which is a bridge over land.
Start from the Toothrock trailhead parking lot off the Bonneville Dam Exit #40. Before you start hiking, pause and look north across the freeway. Atop this hill once stood the mansion of Mona Bell, Sam Hill’s mistress. The south side of the hill was removed for Interstate 84 construction. The north side was removed to build the second lock for Bonneville Dam. You can learn more about Toothrock and Mona Bell in John Harrison’s book A Woman Alone.
Walk about a half-mile east from Toothrock trailhead/parking lot and you will notice interstate traffic passing directly beneath you. Traffic is entering the west portal of Toothrock Tunnel which was completed in 1937. Keep walking east toward Eagle Creek. After several yards, pay close attention to the surface you are walking along. You are now walking on a bridge, supported by pilings built into the ground below. You have found the viaduct! Enjoy the views and the beautiful displays of colorful leaves every autumn.
As you walk, notice the different styles of guardrails used along the Historic Highway State Trail.
#2, 2G: Lancaster Falls
This waterfall is on the newest section of the Historic Highway State Trail being dedicated on Sept. 24. Travel to Starvation Creek Rest Area Exit #55. On this hike you’ll pass several waterfalls on your short walk to Lancaster Falls. This waterfall was named in 1970 to honor the chief engineer and landscape architect of the Historic Highway Samuel Lancaster. Enjoy the new Wonder Creek viewpoint where you can catch a glimpse of Lancaster Falls. This was built by the restoration efforts of the Oregon Department of Transportation.
#2, 2O: Eagle's Nest
This 1.4-mile section of the Historic Highway State Trail from Toothrock trailhead to Eagle Creek was abandoned for many decades when Interstate 84 was built in the 1950s. Later, during restoration of this section of highway, the Oregon Department of Transportation recreated a beautiful enclosed alcove to replicate the Eagle’s Nest that was originally part of this stretch of the highway. The location of the current Eagle’s Nest is west of where it was originally, but is still a great spot to stop and enjoy the views and have a picnic.
Directions: Drive to the Toothrock Trailhead, exit #40 from I-84.
Row 3
#2, 3B: Bridge of the GodsThe largest group of landslides in Washington state, the Cascade Landslide Complex, covered nearly 14 square miles north of the town of Bonneville. The most recent landslide of this complex, the Bonneville landslide, was triggered in 1450, most likely by a strong earthquake. It moved the Columbia River a mile south, creating a temporary dam and lake that rose to an elevation of 277 feet. The lake behind the dam was three times higher than the present Bonneville Dam and extended upriver 88 miles to The Dalles. This temporary dam undoubtedly gave rise to the “Bridge of the Gods” legend passed down by the indigenous inhabitants:
The sons of Old Coyote, Wy’east (Mount Hood) and Pahto (Mount Adams) were powerful braves both in love with a maiden (Mount St. Helens). Because they crossed the “Bridge of the Gods” to fight over their love for her, Old Coyote collapsed the land bridge to keep his sons from fighting.
The current Bridge of the Gods was built in 1926 and the following year the famed aviator Charles Lindbergh flew his Spirit of St. Louis under the bridge. Soak up the view when crossing the bridge – it’s one of the most beautiful views in the Columbia Gorge. This bridge is also on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) route. Every August, PCT through-hikers make their way across the bridge walking the 2,659-miles from Mexico to Canada. It’s where the PCT journey ended for Cheryl Strayed (and her onscreen counterpart, Reese Witherspoon) in the book and film Wild.
#2, 3I: Historic Milepost
Concrete mileposts have marked the miles along the Historic Highway since 1924 when indicating miles on the side of the highway first began. Keep your eyes open along the highway to spot one! The only original milepost left is #58 near Viento. Park at Viento State Park (exit #56 from I-84) on the south side of I-84 and walk west on the Historic Highway State Trail toward Starvation Creek. The milepost is on the south side of the trail in about ¼ mile, at the bottom of the first slope, across from the meadow.
#2, 3N: Beauty Shot
The highway’s engineer Samuel Lancaster looked for “beauty spots” in the Columbia River Gorge and found ways to take users to these waterfalls and scenic vistas. Find your own place along the Historic Highway that you find beautiful. Snap a photo and share it on Instagram (#gorgebingo) or any other way you prefer. Make sure you park your car in an official parking area and stay on the trail when selecting your “beauty shot.”
#2, 3G: "Big John" USFS Oldest Flush Toilet
While in the Eagle Creek area be sure to visit “Big John,” the U.S. Forest Service’s oldest flush toilet in the country! Although this toilet is not the original one from 1915, the nickname stuck. “Big John” was rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
#2, 3O: Thunder Island
Thunder Island is a human-made island and park built between the Columbia River and the locks’ waters. The locks at Cascade Locks were built to bypass the near-impassable Cascade Rapids on the Columbia River. When the waters were impounded behind Bonneville Dam, the locks were no longer needed. A brewery with the Thunder Island namesake is nearby. Both are worth a visit.
Row 4
#2, 4B: "Tunnel of Many Vistas"The most creative engineering accomplishment of the entire original Columbia River Highway was the Mitchell Point Tunnel. Highway designers Sam Hill and Sam Lancaster drew inspiration for Mitchell Point Tunnel from the Axenstrasse, Switzerland’s scenic motorway. During the 1920s and 30s, the Mitchell Point Tunnel was a world-class tourist draw, but it was designed for beauty, not for commerce. The tunnel had five pocket windows, the source of its nickname “Tunnel of Many Vistas.”
In the 1960s, the tunnel was blasted away and the rock and rubble were used to build the new interstate highway. As the Oregon Department of Transportation works to reconnect the Historic Highway, plans are in place to create a new tunnel at Mitchell Point, south of the original route, complete with viewing windows that would make Hill and Lancaster proud.
#2, 4I: Hole-in-the-Wall Falls
A short walk along a newest section of the Historic Highway State Trail brings you to Hole-in-the-Wall Falls, formerly Warren Falls. Back in the day, this waterfall used to cause real problems along the Historic Highway. It would frequently flood the highway, making it impassable for road traffic. In 1939, a creative solution was engineered: A hole was blasted through a nearby cliff and Warren Creek was diverted through this hole, giving birth to Hole-in-the-Wall Falls. Warren Falls flows occasionally during high creek flows with just a trickle of water. Enjoy the view from the new viewing plaza.
#2, 4N: Moffett Creek Bridge
Moffett Creek Bridge is located west of Bonneville Dam along the Historic Highway State Trail. This beautiful bridge spans 205 feet and has a 170-foot arch. At the time of its construction in 1915, it was the longest three-hinged concrete flat arch bridge in the U.S. Visit this beautiful bridge by walking or biking approximately two miles from John B. Yeon Trailhead (also the trailhead for Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls) or 1.5 miles from Toothrock Trailhead.
#2, 4G: Bigfoot on Bridge of the Gods Mural
Find your way to Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks and park under the Bridge of the Gods. Have a look at the mural here. See if you can find Bigfoot (a.k.a. Sasquatch).
#2, 4O: John B. Yeon Trailhead
This trailhead is in honor of John B. Yeon, the roadmaster of the Historic Highway. He was paid $1 per year for his services on the Historic Highway. Yeon donated his time and $1 was a formality to put him on payroll. Yeon was known as the Prince of the Woods. He left his home in Canada to find work in the U.S. He ended up in Oregon and in the timber business. A hard worker who learned his lessons well, Yeon twice started and sold his own timber business. After selling his second timber business, he moved into Portland and began buying real estate. Some thought him foolish when he bought the lot diagonally across from Meier and Frank’s huge department store to build a large office building, claiming he’d never find enough tenants to fill its fifteen floors. Yeon was confident that the town’s growth would prove him right, and he was. (Friends of the Columbia Gorge was a Yeon Building tenant from the late 1990s until Fall 2016.)
There are three trails that begin at Yeon’s trailhead. One trail leads you to Elowah Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Gorge. Another trail takes you higher up the creek to Upper McCord Creek Falls. The third trail is a restored six-mile section of the Historic Highway State Trail allowing you to bike or hike all the way to Cascade Locks car-free! This section opened in 2013.
Row 5
#2, 5B: The "Locks" at Cascade LocksBefore Bonneville Dam and the locks at Cascade Locks were built, this area was the site of the torrential, nearly-impassable Cascade Rapids on the Columbia River. These rapids were created by the Cascade Landslides. If you look north there’s a mountain (Table Mountain) that looks like the south side of it broke off. It did break off in a massive earthquake, causing a landslide that created the Cascade Rapids.
The only way to continue downriver was to portage around these rapids. So the locks were built. The town of Cascade Locks grew during the construction of the locks from 1878-1896. Later in 1938, the impounding waters of Bonneville Dam backed up and flooded the rapids, making the locks unnecessary. Today, however, much of the infrastructure remains. A footbridge across the locks waters allows access to Thunder Island - a great place for a picnic and to watch the river flow by.
#2, 5I: Herman the Sturgeon
Stop by the Bonneville Dam fish hatchery and find the sturgeon viewing facility. Here you will find 11-ft.-long Herman residing with several other smaller sturgeons. Herman is named after the long line of Hermans of the Herman Creek area (just east of here).
Sturgeons are the largest freshwater fish in North America. Some can grow as long as 20 feet, weigh thousands of pounds, and live to be over 100 years old. The hatchery is open daily from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Learn more: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/visitors/bonneville_hatchery_herman.asp.
#2, 5N: Picnic Table
Picnic tables can be found along the Historic Highway inviting you to stop, enjoy the view, and have a picnic. One interesting picnic table can be found along the Historic Highway State Trail east of McCord Creek. Smaller rocks, used for sitting, are arranged around a larger “table” rock, ideal for an impromptu picnic on the trail. Other obscure picnic tables can be found by referring to Appendix 5 on page 238 in the Curious Gorge hiking book. We encourage you to picnic in established picnic areas only.
#2, 5G: Eagle Creek Bridge
This 103-ft. long bridge crosses Eagle Creek just before the stop sign in front of the fish hatchery. The bridge and adjacent stone observatory is a great place to view salmon returning up the Columbia River to spawn in Tanner Creek every fall. The bridge is constructed of reinforced concrete and is faced with native stone.
#2, 5O: 1st USFS Campground
The Eagle Creek Campground opened to the public in 1916. With the construction of the Historic Highway and more people owning vehicles, getting into the great outdoors was suddenly more accessible! But no Forest Service campgrounds existed. People were parking and camping anywhere and everywhere. The U.S. Forest Service, only ten years old at the time, established a beautiful campground at Eagle Creek. It hosted 100 campsites with concrete stoves, picnic tables and a parking lot. 15,000 people visited the campground in its first year and by the 1920s there were 1,000 visitors a day!
Trip #3: Eastern Gorge
Row 1
#3, B1: Memaloose ViewpointAt Memaloose Viewpoint, enjoy dramatic, sweeping views from Hood River across the Columbia River to Catherine Creek and up to Lyle. Pay attention below you to Memaloose Island, the site of an unfortunate historic example of how even the best-intentioned settlers could show disregard for indigenous customs and sites.
On the “Island of the Dead*,” Wasco tribal members carefully placed their deceased in special wooden structures to await resurrection. The Dalles resident Victor Trevitt, a businessman and state representative, had befriended Native Americans and wanted to be buried among “honest men,” so when he died in 1882, his Masonic brothers interred him on the island, too. This was viewed by tribal members as a desecration of their holy ground, so they arrived in canoes to exhume and remove their ancestors’ remains to be buried elsewhere.
Later, when Bonneville Dam was built and water levels rose behind the dam, much of Memaloose Island was flooded, but the obelisk at the west end of the island marking the spot of Trevitt’s burial is still visible.
*This island gets its name from the Chinook word memalust which means “to die.”
Directions: Drive a few miles east along the Historic Highway east of Mosier and you will come to the Memaloose Overlook.
#3, 1I: Selfie at Mosier Totem Pole
Right in the middle of the town of Mosier, a lovely community park is developing. Overlooking the town is a stout totem pole sculpted by local artist Jeff Stewart who lives near Dufur. It depicts the history of the town and celebrates its past. Snap a selfie here and share it on Instagram #gorgebingo if you want.
#3, 1N: Glacial Erratic Rock
Most of the rock in the Gorge is made of basalt. However, there’s a unique rock made of granite that lies just east of the Mosier Twin Tunnels. The rock floated here encased in ice from Glacial Lake Missoula in Montana during one of the Ice Age Floods. Now it is left here high and dry as a reminder of how the Gorge was shaped by the floods between 13-15,000 years ago.
Directions: Pull off Interstate 84 at Mosier Exit #69 and follow the signs to the east parking lot for the Mark O. Hatfield East Trailhead and the Twin Tunnels. From the parking lot, look east into the rock quarry. Can you spot the lighter-colored boulder than all the others? That’s the glacial erratic rock.
#3, 1G: Mosier Creek Falls
There are a lot of waterfalls in the western Gorge but in the eastern Gorge they are less prominent. The little town of Mosier is home to a lovely waterfall. In the summer, many locals cool off at the popular swimming hole at the base of Mosier Creek Falls. You’ll find the waterfall by hiking the Mosier Plateau trail for about a quarter-mile when you arrive at a viewing area overlooking Mosier Creek Falls. If you continue hiking up the trail, you’ll end up at the plateau’s summit, which offers some of the best views in all of the Gorge. This trail is made possible by Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust.
#3, 1O: Changing Leaves
Autumn is a great time to tour the Historic Highway. Cooler temperatures and a change in the color of the leaves make for a picturesque visit. Even the poison oak takes on a cheerful hue of red. What tree can you find with its leaves changing?
Row 2
#3, 2B: Mosier Cemetery
Step back in time by reading the stories on the headstones at the Mosier Cemetery. This small cemetery overlooks Mosier Creek. Find it by parking at the totem pole in Mosier and walking east along the Historic Highway, crossing Mosier Creek Bridge. From there, follow the trail signs to the cemetery which is just over the hill. Watch out for the poison oak. If you continue up the trail you’ll pass by Mosier Creek Falls and climb a few set of stairs to reach the summit of Mosier Plateau.
#3, 2I: Spot an Eagle
The wide open, gently sloping hills characteristic of the eastern Gorge provide the long-range vision ideal for spotting a bald eagle. After this challenge is over, you can join Friends of the Columbia Gorge in the winter for prime bald eagle viewing along the Columbia River. Every year they fly here to eat salmon and enjoy a winter retreat!
Keep a lookout for a large bird with a white head soaring through the sky. It’s not an easy task to find a bald eagle but give it your best shot. Good luck! To see one up-close, visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum in The Dalles to view a captive eagle.
#3, 2N: Oak Street
The Historic Highway route goes right down Oak Street through downtown historic Hood River. Enjoy the many shops, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms here along with the stunning views of the Columbia River below.
#3, 2G: Mosier Twin Tunnels Message
If you look carefully, you’ll find a hidden message in the walls of the Mosier Twin Tunnels. In the winter of 1921, several people were trapped during a snowstorm in these tunnels. They carved their names, dates, and “snowbound” into the side of the eastern tunnel’s wall. Can you find the message?
Also inside the tunnel you’ll find milepost #72 and side passages leading to windows known as adits.
When the original Historic Highway was built in this area in 1921, it was necessary to build two tunnels to get through this high rock point. These tunnels and the nearby cliffs were a troublesome spot on the Historic Highway - rockfalls were common and accidents happened all too frequently. A new road was completed in 1954 near water level (now Interstate 84) and the tunnels were abandoned. They were soon filled with rock rubble and forgotten.
In 1995, work began to reopen the tunnels for tourist use. This involved the removal of the rubble, rebuilding and resurfacing the road, and much more. The tunnels opened in 2000.
This paved, car-free, 14-mile out-and-back (round-trip) section of the highway from Mosier to Hood River makes for an easy bike ride. In Hood River, the trail starts at the Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead and in Mosier the Mark O. Hatfield East Trailhead.
Directions: Pull off Interstate 84 at Mosier exit #69 and follow the signs to the east parking lot for the Historic Highway Twin Tunnels trailhead. After you’ve spotted the glacial erratic (Row 1, “N”), proceed west on the Historic Highway State Trail toward the Twin Tunnels. Pause and enjoy the beautiful views at the viewing plaza just before the tunnels.
#3, 2O: Mark O. Hatfield West Vistor Center
Mark O. Hatfield was an Oregon Governor, Senator, and major force in securing the National Scenic Area Act. He was also instrumental in securing funding to purchase land to complete the Hood River to Mosier project. The Mark O. Hatfield West Visitor Center is the west terminus of the seven-mile, paved, car-free state trail between Hood River and Mosier. The center offers information on trail features and the Columbia Gorge in general, as well as sales of trail passes and other merchandise. Current hours are 10 a.m.–2 p.m. daily.
Row 3
#3, 3B: Oak TreesThe 83-mile long Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is home to a dramatic landscape. In the wet western end, you’ll find firs and ferns; on the drier eastern end, pine and oak trees dot the hillsides. If you’re unsure if a tree is an oak, look for acorns on the tree branches or lying on the ground.
#3, 3I: Hike Tom McCall Nature Preserve
The nature preserve between Mosier and The Dalles is named for Oregon Governor Thomas Lawson McCall, whose commitment to conservation in Oregon remains an inspiration. The Rowena Overlook, Tom McCall Point, and Rowena Plateau are owned by the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Parks and the Nature Conservancy and offer some of the most spectacular wildflower displays in the Gorge each May. Enjoy the autumn colors of this time of year and grand views. Remember to stay on the trail and no dogs are allowed.
#3, 3N: Beauty Shot
The highway’s engineer Samuel Lancaster looked for “beauty spots” in the Columbia River Gorge and found ways to take users to these waterfalls and scenic vistas. Find your own place along the Historic Highway that you find beautiful. Snap a photo and share it on Instagram #gorgebingo or any other way you prefer. Make sure you park your car in an official parking area and stay on the trail when selecting your “beauty shot.”
#3, 3G: Spot a Train
The Columbia River Gorge has always been a major east-west transportation corridor because it is a sea-level passage cutting through the Cascades. Railroad tracks line both sides of the Columbia River so there are plenty of opportunities to spot a train, although these days the cargo on some of the trains has become a major concern to Friends of the Columbia Gorge and the public. There are proposals to build fossil-fuel terminals in the Northwest which threaten to dramatically increase the number of coal and oil trains traveling through the Gorge. This raises concerns about pollution and safety.
#3, 3O: View from Moiser Plateau
The Mosier Plateau trail begins in the town of Mosier, follows Mosier Creek through the community’s Pocket Park and then ends up on Mosier Plateau, which is owned by Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust. This trail is part of the Gorge Towns to Trails project, a comprehensive trail system that wraps around the Columbia Gorge, linking communities with recreation. The trail was completed in the summer of 2013 with numerous partners and volunteers.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge’s Land Trust received this property as a donation from Friends’ founder Nancy Russell in 2007.
Atop the plateau, take your time to fully enjoy the view. This is a gorgeous piece of property, saved from development and preserved for us all to enjoy.
Directions to Mosier Plateau Trailhead: From I-84, take Exit #69/Mosier. Follow the Historic Columbia River Highway into town. Pull into the parking area just past the Mosier totem pole located mid-town on left/north side of road. Park between Hwy 30 and the railroad tracks. A wayfinding sign is located here directing you to the trailhead. There is an outhouse close to the totem pole.
Begin the hike close to the totem pole in Mosier. The trailhead is actually 1000 yards east up the road, on the south side of Historic Highway 30, just over the historic bridge. You'll see a bench just after crossing the bridge and a trail. This is the beginning of the hike. You'll also see a sign for the pioneer cemetery here.
Row 4
#3, 4B: Rowena Loops
At Rowena Overlook, the view is grand looking out into the Gorge, but so is the view looking down at the iconic Rowena loops. The sweeping loops were designed this way to keep the road grade no greater than 5% from the crest to the village of Rowena below. The loops take the highway from 747 feet to less than 200 feet in approximately two miles. Enjoy the view and drive carefully.
#3, 4I: Historic Building in The Dalles
The city of The Dalles is full of historic buildings. From Native Americans to Oregon Trail pioneers, The Dalles has been a long-time gathering place and crossroads for this region. A stop at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce will provide you with a map of the historic city buildings. One historic building that is easy to find is Old St. Peters Landmark Church which is a restored Catholic Church. Look for the tall steeple. Which building(s) will you find?
#3, 4N: Columbia Gorge Hotel
The Columbia Gorge Hotel was built by Highway promoter Simon Benson in 1920 for travelers to rest from their journeys and to find a place of beauty and even opulence. Benson knew that with great roads, great places to stay were a necessity. The grounds were beautifully landscaped. There were 48 rooms, each with a private bath. The guest list was impressive with visitors such as movie stars Jane Powell, Myrna Loy and Rudolph Valentino, along with Presidents Roosevelt and Coolidge. Today this hotel is in the National Register of Historic Places.
The second-highest waterfall in the Columbia Gorge can be viewed from the hotel property. Wah-Gwin-Gwin Falls (meaning “rushing water”) tumbles 208 feet into the Columbia River below.
#3, 4G: Mosier Creek Bridge
The 182-foot-long Mosier Creek Bridge was designed by Conde B. McCullough, an Oregon State bridge engineer from 1919 to 1935. McCullough designed many of the bridges on Oregon Coast Highway 101. The bridge was completed in 1920.
#3, 4O: Fruit Orchard
Apple, cherries, pears and other fruit orchards thrive in the eastern Gorge. There are several orchards east of Mosier on the Historic Highway. You may notice a few old orchards, having passed their prime, are being converted to vineyards.
Row 5
#3, 5B: Mayerdale Estate
Located less than two miles east of Mosier is the Mayerdale Estate. Originally established in 1910 by Mark “Markie” A. Mayer, the estate provided various fruit, eggs and farm produce to locals. This is the same Mayer family that donated the land that is now Mayer State Park near Rowena. The house was built in 1913 but the current owners are refurbishing the home to its former grandeur. This is the residence of Tom Garnier of Garnier Vineyards. The tasting room is just west of the estate and is open noon – 5 p.m. on weekends. The wines are excellent!
#3, 5I: Vineyard
The Columbia Gorge has a thriving wine industry with over 30 different grape varieties grown within a 40-mile stretch. Several wineries have tasting rooms along the Historic Highway. Stop in and sample some fantastic wines.
#3, 5N: East Entrance Historic Highway Sign
The eastern section of the Historic Highway took nine years for the highway to be built and was dedicated on July 27, 1922. A beautiful rock and wood sign announces the east entrance to the Historic Highway. The sign is located just off “The Dalles – Discovery Center” Exit #82 from Interstate 84. At the junction of the off-ramp and Historic Highway, turn right (west) at the stop sign, and here you’ll find it.
#3, 5G: Rowena Kolk Ponds
Between 13-15,000 years ago, a series of over forty Ice Age Floods scoured the Columbia Gorge landscape. Glacial erratic rocks and kolk ponds can be found in the Gorge reminding us of this historic event. Kolk ponds are an underwater vortex created when rapidly rushing water passes an underwater obstacle. You can find two kolk ponds on Rowena Plateau. Be careful: there is a lot of poison oak in this area.
Directions: From Portland, drive east on Interstate 84 to the Mosier exit #69. Turn right at the freeway off-ramp and follow the Historic Columbia River Highway through Mosier. Continue east on the old highway for almost 7 miles. Look for a turnoff to the right with a big sign reading "Rowena Crest.”
#3, 5O: Ponderosa Pine
East of the Cascade Mountains, you will encounter an arid landscape. Oak and red-barked ponderosa pine trees are found here along with other more drought-tolerant plants. Sorosis Park in The Dalles is home to lots of pine trees and provides an impressive view of the Gorge. Where will you find a ponderosa pine?