Columbia Gorge Waterfalls, Hood River and Timberline Lodge Day Tour, Portland

A full day that splits in two. The morning follows the Columbia River Gorge, an ancient riverbed carved by the last Ice Age, past the Bridge of the Gods and on to Hood River, the Windsurfing Capital of the World. The afternoon turns south through Oregon's fruit valley and climbs to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, a volcano described as the world's second most summited mountain. The day starts at Director Park in downtown Portland and joins the Historic Columbia River Highway at Troutdale. Vista House at Crown Point comes first, with 180-degree views from 733 feet above the river. Then come Latourell Falls (249 feet, with a short quarter-mile trail in some seasons) and Multnomah Falls (620 feet in two steps). Hood River gets an hour of free time, enough to walk the town and have lunch. After that the route runs south through the Fruit Loop orchards and lavender farms, with a possible short stop at a farm stand if time allows, then through Mount Hood National Forest. The final stop is Timberline Lodge, at roughly 6,000 feet, a National Historic Landmark at the foot of Oregon's highest peak. Guests can explore inside, step onto the patios for Cascade Range views, or, time permitting, walk with the guide to the Pacific Crest Trail crossing behind the lodge. The van returns to Director Park.