we figured we could see a few of the waterfalls below the road closure...
Sadly, last fall, a teenager threw a firecracker into the woods and pretty much fkd up the forest and the surrounding area (known as the Eagle Creek Fire). The fire burned over 50,000 acres and lasted for three months! Last I checked online, the youth has been ordered by a judge to pay $36 million for the damages. He was given five years of probation and is set to do nearly 2,000 hours of community service for the Forest Service. I honestly don't know how this kid is going to pay back that much money, but my gosh, what a price to pay for his foolishness.
Look at those clouds...
The road above Bridal Veil was closed. We ended up not seeing that and doubled back south to see Sheperd's Dell and La Tourell, which we saw during our first visit back in 2009. It was a bummer that we could not see the famed Multnomah Falls again.
We parked on the side of the road and took turns. TC was sleeping and we didn't want to leave her along. The trail to the fall was also closed off but these two young adults decided to not heed the warning and climbed over it anyways (dumbasses).
The fall itself is not that large, but still a cool sight to see off the side of the road.
I love the lichen covered walls on this bridge...
La Tourell was our next stop. There was a viewing area from afar and a trail to the falls. Like last time, we hiked only part of the trail, which was muddy from the rains. At some points, the sun came out for a tiny bit. The trail to the top would take longer than we would have thought but it was still fun going up the hills and switchbacks.
This is quite the sight to see. The plunge is 224 feet; the cliffs are basalt with a colorful backdrop of chartreuse golden cobblestone lichen.
The sun was out momentarily!!!
Heading back...
Our next stop was the Octagonal Vista House, which was already closed. There were still folks there, like us, enjoying the views (snowcapped mountains are on Washington's side) of the lake and the Gorge.
The next scenic stop was not too far south, the Portland Women's Forum Scenic viewpoint, also known as Chanticleer Point.
In fact, from this viewpoint, we could see the former View Point Inn in nearby Corbett. This English tudor tructure was featured in the prom scene in the movie, "Twilight". However, it burned a few years later, was supposed to be rebuilt and then was abandoned. Currently, the inn looks like it has a roof again. A company is working on fixing it. Who knows, maybe the building will open once again as an Inn. The views of the Gorge are really quite spectacular from that vantage point.
We could also see Vista House from this overlook.
This rock was a memorial to Sam Hill, one of the early promoters of the Historic Columbia Highway as well as paved roads in the Pacific Northwest region.
Lovely views here, but it was getting cold.
More of the View Point Inn...
Heading out...
Uhhh yeah!! Satellite radio!
"The Trooper" is of my favorite Iron Maiden songs actually; it is about the Crimean War. You can't say this was a stooopid metal band. They actually had pretty good and even intellectual lyrics (none about partying, drugs, or sex either).
Previous visits
November 2009 (from Spring 2009 trip)
Shepherd's Dell Fals:
More info here
La Tourell Falls:
More info here
Vista House
www.vistahouse.com/history
Portland Women's Forum Scenic View Point + Chanticleer Point
More info here
Portland Day 3 in order
"Highlights"
+ full fledged posts here:
"Either/Or Coffee"
"Elk Rock Garden at the Bishop's Close"
"Piknik Food Carts & Beer Garden (Malaysian Straits + Dive Bar & Vegan Grub), Sellwood"
"Otto's Sausage Kitchen & Meat Market"
"Cloud City Ice Cream"
"Red Fox + Grand Central Bakery in Woodstock"
We had a pretty long day! The next day would be a little more low key...
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