Juldie

We are arriving around 11:00 AM at PDX. We will head to McKenzie Bridge, by way of Sisters where we have a cabin reserved on the river for 3 nights. We plan to bike the non technical section of the McKenzie River Trail, go to Couger/Terwilliger hot springs, short hikes, blue lake, maybe return to Sisters if we feel we didn't have enough time on our way down, and much needed rest and relaxation doing nothing but listening to the sounds of the river.

Leave in the morning of day 4 and drive to Yachats where we will spend 1 night on the beach. Get up and drive to Neskowin where we will be staying 2 nights with my son and future daughter in law and her parents, whose beach house it is.

Later in the day we will head to Portland and have 2 days to spend seeing the city and/or day trips. Now comes the uncertain final 2 nights of our trip. We are thinking about going for 1 pr 2 overnights with my son and future daughter in law. I know we are going to Corbett to see their wedding venue. That may be as a day trip when we are in Portland or on our way off for the couple of days. We have a 12:00 PM flight the morning we leave so we can't be too far away. I would like to be somewhere quiet, non crowded, and able to take in the beauty of the area. somewhere along the gorge (but can't tell where it is busy and built up and where it is more isolated and wilderness), Mt. Hood, salmon river... just don't know. I would rather not spend hours in the car driving or in traffic. It would be great to have the time instead to bike, hike, sit by a fire and share quality time together with the kids. We don't have to go in that direction at all. Someone told me about Silver Falls State Park and how beautiful it is; maybe this would be a good place to go. If you have any suggestions at all, I would appreciate it. I am just not getting a sense of the distance and driving time and where would be the location that would give us the solitude and beauty we are seeking. Thank you very much.

sunbum1944

While you are in the McKenzie River area you might look into hiking around Clear Lake- beautiful trail, easy- lake is very clear and there is the remains of a petrified forest in the bottom. There is a little store and restaurant at the lake so you can stop for lunch/snacks. The McKenzie River starts in a pool at Clear Lake. Did you know that the Mckenzie starts at Clear Lake, roars over Koosah and Sahalie Falls and then eventually disappears underground - only to reappear at Tamolich Falls.
You might look into getting a hiking book by Bill Sullivan- he is the local hiking guru.

One of my favorite areas close to Sisters in the Metolius/Camp Sherman area- there is a trail along the river, love it there- very quiet and peaceful. Stop at the Camp Sherman store for a hiking map.

But you are really asking what to do when you are in Portland. The Gorge is beautiful but is getting to time of year when it will likely be pretty busy. You could hike the Eagle Creek trail which has a couple of beautiful waterfalls and I doubt the trail itself will be too busy.

Silver Falls State Park is beautiful, great trail, 10 waterfalls- one of my favorite hikes- but if you don't want to spend hours in the car it might not be the trip for you because it will be a couple of hours in the car from Portland.

pamolly678

I agree that Silver Falls is very beautiful, but a long drive. We love to stay on the Washington side of the Gorge, at a couple of places :
http://www.carsonridgecabins.com/
or http://www.cgriversidelodge.com/
Lots of great hikes within the Columbia Gorge. Enjoy!

Juldie

pamolly678, what great lodging suggestions but they won't work out for the weekend in July we need. One didn't have a cabin for 4 and the other didn't have anything at al. I will check out those areas in WA. Thanks.

pamolly678

another favorite is Skamania Lodge:
http://www.skamania.com/

astutefish

Anything in the gorge will be relatively uncrowded compared to Portland. Consider columbia cliff villas if you want to enjoy a view of the gorge. Also, there are some great hikes in the gorge so I would stay right there (especially since you will be wore out from driving all over the state). Consider hiking into punch bowl falls or dry creek falls.

viewgirl

I love Oregon! We went 3 years ago---went Portland, CRG, Bend, Crater Lake, and Yachats---a lovely little seaside town---be sure you spend plenty of time walking the huge oceanside rocks with tidepools. From Portland, I, too suggest you drive towards Columbia River Gorge and hike Eagle Creek Trail--just beautiful. We then stayed 2 nights at Columbia River Gorge Hotel--right on river--not too far from Portland, either

tomfuller

I'm hoping that your cabin is one at Belknap Springs along the McKenzie and not one down next to Clear Lake. The ones at Clear Lake are what I call ""rustic". They are wired for lights but are hooked to a generator. There is one outhouse serving about 4 cabins.
What is your route from PDX? You do not have to come through Sisters unless you really want to. To get to the McKenzie River area, go south on I-5 to the south end of Salem and take Rt. 22 to US 20 and go a short distance west on US20 to turn onto Rt. 126. Clear Lake is not far down 126. Belknap is about 19 miles. If you do go over to Sisters, you can now go over Rt. 242 over the McKenzie Pass. At the top of the Pass, stop and see the Dee Wright Observatory.

Juldie

Great suggestions for hikes. Is there one that might have less elevation gain and less challenging if a member in our party finds these too difficult. How do I decide where in the gorge to look to stay? I like more seclusion and quiet than built up. We need a place to accommodate 4 adults and I am finding no availability on the weekend. So it sounds like all of you are suggesting the gorge rather than Mt. Hood, true? Thanks viewgirl with the tide pools reminder at Yachats,

Gardyloo

It would help if you could indicate what nights you're trying to fill. This is in July, right? Friday/Saturday? Early or late July?

viewgirl

My favorite restaurant in Yachats was the Driftwood Inn---a cute, funky place with dozens of umbrellas hanging off the ceiling for decoration ---good food and also entertainment. We also had lunch at Luna's---no atmosphere whatsoever---but served catch of the day---as we were sitting there eating the fishermen were bringing in fish for the next meal. Excellent quality.

mabella101

Well not sure if this satisfies your want for quiet, but the best western in mt. Hood, has Great views from its gorge side local and sits right next to a nice little walking/bike trail.
Also check out McMenamins hotel in Troutdale. Both of these put you in close proximity to hiking in the gorge area.
Oregon is gorgeous, enjoy!!

Juldie

Thank you viewgirl about the Yachats restaurants. tom fuller; we are going to McKenzie Bridge by way of Sisters because it may be the only time we go to Sisters. We were going to go over the pass as you suggested.

Our search continues for lodging for 4 adults the last weekend in July, so much is booked. We may rent a house through VRBO.

nanabee

Juldie,

I can't add much as far as your trip advice, but I can recommend one of the best restaurants I've been to in Portland! I visit here often (my DD, SIL and two grandkids live in SE PDX). And I've been to many, many excellent restaurants here.

We went last night and loved the food.

St. Jacks
2039 SE Clinton St.
Portland, OR 97202
503-360-1281

tomfuller

The best place for lunch in Sisters is Bronco Billy's.
Watch the speed limit and the crosswalks in Sisters. The C of C is on a side street north and east of Bronco Billy's.

sunbum1944

here is a link to travel around Eugene- you should be able to find many lodging opportunities on this website including the McKenzie River area.

http://www.eugenecascadescoast.org

Where are you looking for lodging? Along the McKenzie or in Sisters?

Check out the Metolius/ Camp Sherman area too- its one of my favorite spots- not far from Sisters- beautiful little river famous for fly fishing, there are several cabins in the area.

sunbum1944

I have stayed at this place in the Metolius area- great place for families and there is a restaurant too

http://www.lakecreeklodge.com

Big developers are talking about building a "destination resort" in this area- come and see it before it gets ruined

tomfuller

There is also good lodging at Suttle Lake right at the foot of the mountain along US 20.

Fodorite018

Sunbum--I agree, a big development would be a real shame.

Tomfuller--In Sisters, our go to place for lunch is the Ski Inn. We have been going there for over 40 years.

Juldie

Thanks everyone; love all the restaurant suggestions.
I am all set with lodging in the McKenzie river area. As I mentioned in my original post we have a few days to plan (2 nights) after McKenzie and after 2 stops on the coast and after some time in Portland. So, we are thinking about the gorge or Mt. Hood or another suggestion but not to go back to Sisters or McKenzie area. We will be with my son and future daughter in law so need accommodations for 4, which is why I said maybe a VRBO rental.