Oregon Trip March 2017

Old Jan 19th, 2017, 06:28 PM
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Oregon Trip March 2017

Hello everyone. I am now planning my 2nd trip to the wonderful state of Oregon. I'd love to hear some feedback regarding my Itinerary.

Wed 3/15- Arrive in PDX pick up rental car and head to Hotel for afternoon.
Council Crest park to watch the sunset.

Thur 3/16-The Columbia River Gorge.(please advise if I am planning to much)
sunrise aprox 7:20am- would like to be @ Women's Forum Viewpoint or Vista House.for sunrise. Continue on scenic highway and make the following stops: Latourell Falls, Shepperd's Dell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Mist Falls, Wahkenna Falls (can I be done with all these stops by 11am) Lunch and Quick HIke @ Multnomah Falls- 2 hours. Continue to Ponytail falls then Elowah Falls. I feel this will probably be the end of my day but If I still have spunk hoping to be able to cross the bridge of the Gods and Hike Beacon Rock. Drive back down to Portland Via the washington side.

Friday 3/17- Check out and drive south to friends. WIll be here until Monday with no real plans.

Monday 3/20- Drive to Coast- would like to visit Cape Perpetua then drive North I have quite a few stops planned including wakonda Beach, Seal Rock Yaquina head Lighthouse, Devils Punchbowl, Rocky Creek Scenic Viewpoint, Boiler Bay viewpoint, Will be staying the night South of Lincoln CIty

Tues 3/21-If possible squeeze in some additional viewpoints in AM- Must be back to Downtown Portland by 3pm.
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Old Jan 19th, 2017, 06:48 PM
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The Western side of Oregon (as well as western Washington and western Northern California) get a lot of rain at that time of year. So you might get lucky and get dry spells that would allow you hike - or you might not. If you want to do this trip, I think you need t have a plan B for the whole trip.
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Old Jan 19th, 2017, 06:57 PM
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What time does your flight get in in Wednesday? I would get the rental car and head east on I-84 for Hood River.
On the way to Hood River, stop at Multnomah Falls (left exit into the median parking lot).
I doubt that you can really see more than 3 of the waterfalls by 11AM.
There is a nice restaurant at the base of Multnomah Falls if it is open.
Come back to Portland on US 26 from the coast and not on US 30 from Astoria.
Are you looking for suggestions for Saturday and Sunday?
March is quite likely to be very rainy so be prepared to do some indoor things with the time that you were planning on sightseeing. Powell's World of Books (10th & Burnside) is a good place to hang out in the rain.
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Old Jan 19th, 2017, 07:32 PM
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I personally would not plan a trip to most of those areas in March -- it could be very VERY wet. . . . Or not. But most likely wet.
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Old Jan 19th, 2017, 07:40 PM
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Thanks for the input. I am aware of it still being the rainy season. I am okay with rain, just hoping a late winter storm with snow and ice doesn't come thru. I do plan on having lunch at the lodge at Multnomah Falls. No need any suggestions for the weekend. I will be on someone else's "time" so I'm not planning anything at this time. I do plan on making a side trip tp Mcdowell Creek Falls one of the days. I am not sure if I will make it up to Astoria- looks to be a 2 hour drive north from Lincoln CIty and I dont want to cut it to close with driving time. My nights for lodging are already booked and I am very happy with my choices. Portland Wed and Thurs, Lincoln City Mon.
I appreciate others opinion, please keep them coming.
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Old Jan 19th, 2017, 07:44 PM
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Yes, you have a lot packed in but it is a good plan. March can be anything in regards to weather so just keep an eye on it when packing and bring layers. Last year we out our garden in in early March it was so warm. This year is not shaping up to be the same, but who knows.

Yes you can easily see those sights by 11 as you are getting an early start. Portland Woman's Forum is great but I would opt for the Vista House for sunrise as the views are more expansive. Definitely keep going out to Hood River if you have time. Beacon Rock is a good plan as well. Gives you great views without much effort. We do a lot of hiking in the gorge and love that time of year as the crowds are not too bad.

I don't see a reason to head east straight from the airport since you plan to start at sunrise. Otherwise you would just be backtracking.

Take 84 east but get off at either Troutdale or Corbett and get on the old scenic highway as that is what you need for all the sights you have planned. We always do the Corbett exit which is #22. The very first part of it is steep and very windy, just do you know. At the top of the hill there is a stop sign and that is where you turn left onto the old highway. The woman's forum is not too far down on the left for your first stop.
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Old Jan 19th, 2017, 08:09 PM
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My favorite beach in the area is Devils Elbow State Park also known as Heceta Head. It's a nice little cove with a trail up to the lighthouse and light housekeepers house-.which is a lovely B&B by the way. If you want a longer hike, the trail continues behind the lighthouse and leads you to a beach only accessible by hikers.
It is south of Lincoln City- closer to Florence.

There are several trails around Cape Perpetua- trail maps available at the Visitors Centre.

If you would like to do some winetasting at a lovely little spot, stop at the Flying Dutchman. They have a lovely outdoor patio overlooking the ocean. It's between Newport and Lincoln City.

Enjoy your trip. Hope the rain stays away.
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Old Jan 20th, 2017, 05:47 AM
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Friday 3/17- Check out and drive south to friends. WIll be here until Monday with no real plans.

How far south? Lake Oswego? Eugene?

Reason for asking is that your coast route is pretty limited to the central coast, which is fine, but if you're starting in the Portland area the getting-to can be time-consuming. I'd only throw out that a drive along the north bank of the Columbia out to Cape Disappointment can be very nice, and the lighthouse and wave-crashing-on-rocks scenes from Waikiki Beach can be awesome - https://icons.wxug.com/data/wximagen...82/174-800.jpg . You could then head south to Ecola State Park on your way to Lincoln City. Just a thought.
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Old Jan 20th, 2017, 08:49 AM
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Just by way of managing expectations, even if you're lucky and it's not raining, skies are likely to be overcast, making sunsets and sunrises nonevents. Regardless, I wonder why Council Crest (it'll be chilly up there, rain or not).
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Old Jan 20th, 2017, 05:59 PM
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I believe I am prepared for the rain as much as I can be. I knew when I began planning this trip that rain was going to be a 95 % probability. Coming from the desert I actually enjoy being able to play in the rain. I may get hit by a major downpour, but I might get lucky with a lite drizzle. I have a set of waterproof hiking boots, ponchos-both cheap recyclable and sturdy reusable ones and a slew of other crap I am bringing "just in case." And if all else fails and there's to much rain, I'll just plan another trip.

I picked Council Crest randomly. Any other suggestions I would love to hear. I originally wanted to do Mt Tabor Wednesday but apparently that is the only day where they are closed. (why a park even closes a full day is beyond me but oh well.) With regards to overcast and sunsets I also like to watch city's "light up" in the evening. The actual sunset is a bonus.

My friends live in Lebanon. I was debating planning something to do the day of travel to their place but not sure. I may detour and do Silver Falls. I think driving the north coast then heading back inland would make for a long day in the car. I honestly added the coast as an extra bonus since I was free the last 2 days of the trip and didn't want to just head back to Portland. I choose the central coast since its only a 2 hour drive time from Lebanon and back to Portland.
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Old Jan 21st, 2017, 05:09 AM
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Okay, if you're heading all the way to Lebanon, disregard my north coast comments; they're too far off your path.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2017, 08:20 AM
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"I picked Council Crest randomly."

Then you may not know that views from there are towards the east, not the sunset. You won't see the city light up from there either. Best location for that would be on the east side of the river, but other than the upper floors of an office or apartment building, I'm not sure where else you'd go. Best views of the city on the west side IMO are from the Japanese and/or International Test Rose gardens, and Pittock Mansion. Those locations are easily accessible from downtown too. If the weather's lousy and you're still wanting to see city lights, check out Portland City Grill.
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