5 Cascade Mountains and Some Falls

Thursday we ventured into Oregon City, a suburb of Portland, that was the end of the road for the emigrants who followed the Oregon Trail from Missouri back in the 1840s to 1880s.  We stopped at the End Of The Trail Museum and toured it, I guess we have learned all there was to learn so we did not stay long.  Drove into town and saw the Willamette Falls which played an important role in the establishment of Oregon.  Oregon City was the first territorial center, founded by John McLoughlin, a Canadian born factor who was head of the Hudson Bay Company, a fur trapping business out of Canada.  McLoughlin is considered the Father of Oregon.  He was originally at Fort Vancouver which is on the Columbia River just north of Portland.  He left that post and came to Oregon City where he platted the town and established a brisk trade with those emigrants coming into the Oregon Territory. Lost all my pictures of the falls and the museum - sorry. Will be visiting Fort Vancouver and will hopefully get some pictures.

Larch Mountain, Vista House, 2 of the falls we saw, but more to do

Yesterday we did the 'falls tour' but first went to see the Vista House, a large structure we can see as we drive along Interstate 84 back and forth between Portland and Cascade Locks. Pretty impressive.  Built in 1915, a testament to the beauty of the Columbia River.  Gorgeous views of the river and beyond.

Looking east into the Columbia River Gorge - barely see Bonneville Dam

Tide out - see the sand bars? I-84 below us.

Looking west toward Portland 

After leaving the Vista House we drove up to Larch Mountain, located about 14 miles south of the Columbia River and did a quick hike, Sherrard Point, at elevation 4,037 feet, which brings you to a spectacular view of the Cascade Mountains.  Five mountains are seen from this viewing platform -  Mt. Hood which is the closest at 22 miles to the east; Mt. Rainier (in Washington) at 97 miles away and the tallest of the 5 at 14,410 feet; Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams to the north and in Washington - Mt. St. Helens at the smallest at 8.366 feet; and Mt. Jefferson to the south in central Oregon.   On top of the ledge where we viewed the mountains were 2 short-wave radio operators scanning the skies.

In distance to right is Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier in clouds in middle

Mt. Hood

Closeup of Mt. Rainier

Little platform, about 30 folks could be up there

Back down Larch Mountain and on to see falls.  Traveled along the historic Route 30 and made our first stop at Latourell Falls.  Lots and lots of people, but was able to get a parking spot.  Walked down to the bottom of the falls, snapped some pics, and off to the next falls, Bridal Veil.  That one was very pretty.  Had to do a switchback dirt trail but was worth the jog down.  Of course if you go down you must come up.  Phew! Both falls are spring fed, not glacier, so they never dry up.

Latourell Falls

Bridal Veil Falls

Continued on our way to the next falls, Multnomah, but got stopped in traffic about 1/2 mile from parking log.  Cars parked everywhere, cars being towed due to being illegally parked, so once we got past the jam, we decided to come back another day to finish with a couple more falls.  Hopefully.