Description

On Day 5 of our road trip, as we left Ontario, OR, on our way to Silver Lake, WA, we traveled west through the Columbia River Gorge. To experience this journey in person was so exhilarating. The 160-mile-plus trip along I-84 from Boardman to Portland is truly a sight to see and an experience to drive. The 80 mile journey through the gorge, which at some points is up to 4,000 feet deep, along the highway is something that you cannot forget.

The gorge starts on I-84, just west of Hwy 97, near Biggs Junction, and continues to just east of Vancouver and Portland, near Troutdale. This natural wonder is a must see for all travelers. Traveling west on I-84, after passing through the towns of Arlington and Rufus you begin to enter the trip through the gorge, at around Biggs Junction. The winding road, along the railroad, canyon sides. mountain sides and river, will keep you amazed throughout its trail. The dams, boats, fish hatcheries, and bridges throughout the route are sights that will surely keep you awake. The road is actually carved through the canyon sides, along the riverfront. We traveled the gorge twice during our road trip. The first time, we traveled west on our trip to Washington State and east, on our return trip. Both times we traveled on the Oregon side on I-84. The gorge can be driven I-84 on the Oregon side of the river and state Route 14 on the Washington side. I-84 is more like a freeway through the gorge, and is a little more quicker drive, while highway 14 offers a more leisurely and scenic route. We stayed mostly on the Oregon side of the river but you can cross into Washington at four places along the gorge, at the Cascade Locks Bridge, Hood River Bridge, the Dalles Bridge, at Dalles, and the Biggs Bridge, at Maryville. Traffic is heavier on the Oregon side on I-84, bur there are quite more services available.

The trip through the gorge along I-84 takes you through The Dalles, Hood River, the Bonneville Dam, and the Cascada Locks. Along the way you also past Mt. Hood, and the Mount Hood National Forest, which provides some of the most beautiful scenery along the route. Also do not miss the extremely popular Multnomah Falls National Park or the Crown Point Vista House. Our journey through the gorge lasted approximately 5 hours with a few stops. The railroad which winds along the river and the road is also an interesting sight to see. The railroad, on each side of the road, is quite a sight to see as it runs through tunnels and over bridges, along the mountainside. The dams along the way are also a sight to see. Also, you can witness the abundance of boating, fishing, wind surfing, and water sports that takes place in the river along the Gorge.