Oregon Coast & Hood River Trip - Recommendations?
 

Hi Fodorites!

I've just nailed down a couple of house exchanges for my summer vacation. I'll drive from Park City, UT to Parkdale (near Hood River) 5 days, then head west to Arch Cove on the coast 7 days. I'm planning to stop overnight both on the way and returning.

I would love your recommendations of a town to spend the night both ways. I'm thinking I'd like to stay over at Crater Lake on the way back.

I've been looking at the other posts, but my trip is a bit different since I won't be doing a flying/loop trip.

Day trips and hikes? Horseback riding? Biking? Other fun and interesting things to do and see? Oregon is the one western state I've never visited so I'm open to all suggestions. I love to take time for great scenery and photography. Also hoping to do a day of wine tasting....

Don't really need to visit Ashland for the theatre. We have our own excellent Shakespeare festival in UT and I live in a mtn ski town, so don't have to spend time in Bend really. Unless there is something really unique to see....

Grazie Fodorites!

Anyone? Thanks!

Hi Dayle! Welcome back to the Northwest.

One hike I can highly recommend is a hike in the water up a gorge to Oneanta Falls. similar to hiking the Narrows in Zion, but shorter, and you end at a beautiful waterfall. The start, climbing over a logjam, is a bit iffy, but just be cautious of shifting logs.

http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/p...nta-falls.html

After walking/wading/swimming up to the falls and back, you can take a trail up above the falls,over a bridge, and along to several more waterfalls, including Ponytail Falls, which you go behind on the trail. If you want to make a loop you'll have some walking along the road on the return, but it's not bad.

I did this with my kids a couple of years ago, and thoroughly loved it.

I'll ask them for suggestions on hiking around Mt. Hood. Timberline is worth a visit even if you just admire the lodge and walk around a bit.

And Hood River is a mountain biker's mecca, although I haven' tried it myself there.

Another nice hike in the Gorge area is Eagle Creek - couple of nice waterfalls to hike to

I second Eagle Creek Trail. Great trail with several waterfalls(the last one is the best-Tunnel Falls). I wouldn't miss the roses in Portland. You might consider Mt. St. Helens. If you can, definately see Crater Lake. Coast is nice also.

Here is our pics from July.
http://www.photoworks.com/slideshow/...6?source=pw980

Wow-you have lots of options-especially since you will be driving. Couple of must do's include a stop at Timberline Lodge, no need to stay overnight but be sure to allow a few hours to soak up the beautiful lodge and watch the video show about building this treasure in the 1930's. Then you can head south to Bend and stay there for a few days-plenty of hiking, biking, fishing and brew pub hopping. Affordable places to stay, or close to town camping at Tumalo State Park.

The ocean is about a four-five hour drive depending how many times you stop. Another suggestion would be to continue south and go to Crater Lake, 1-2 hours is good as is lunch at the Lodge. You can access the Oregon Coast from west of Roseburg in many different routes. The drive to Roseburg on Hwy 138 is one of the best in the Oregon.

Hope this helps, not sure where you are headed to the coast, but all is very possible because we have good roads the go over the Cascade Mountains in a number of locations. Get a good map, and enjoy your road trip!

Mt. St. Helens is a great suggestion. I forget how much closer it is to Oregon than it is to us here in Seattle.

If you would like a nice road bike ride, you can ride all along the new highway up to Johnston Ridge visitor center. A local bkie club does it every year ("Tour de Blast") and lots of other bike clubs lead rides along various sections of the road. The last part is the best, although there is a bit of elevation gain (quite a bit, actually).

There is great hiking in fascinating terrain up there.

There is also a place with horsebackriding onthe way up:

http://www.ecoparkresort.com/activities.htm

I don't know anything about it, but the setting, along the Toutle River in the elk preserve area, is nice.

Other places for riding, one right across the river from Hood River:

http://www.nwstables.com/Horses.html

This one is an Iceland Horse training center, so they only offer lessons, but you can do a weekend workshop on one of their horses. This would appeal to an experienced rider (I've always wanted to try riding an Icelandic):

http://www.nwhorses.com/

It's Arch Cape, right? Not much more than a residential community with a small grocery/deli. But it's only five miles south of Cannon Beach, and about the same north of Oswald West State Park, where you'll find some nice hikes. Take you camera on a walk up the beach at low tide to Hug Point, where you'll find an old roadway cut into the rocky headland. Should also check out Ecola State Park, to the north of Cannon Beach.

There are several wineries in/around Hood River, and more across the bridge in Washington. But none of them are particularly good at pinot noir, which Oregon is best known for. Pinot is grown/produced mostly in the Willamette Valley, southwest of Portland, a couple hour's drive from either Arch Cape or Hood River.

Maryhill Winery in the Gorge is a nice spot - actually not sure about the wines- but the views are great, I belive they have a place to buy lunch and in the summer they frequently have outdoor concerts -

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I would drive straight through from Park City to Hood River if I didn't have my dog with me. He loves to go in the car, but the appeal wears off after about 6 hours of driving!

During my 4 days in Parkdale, I thought I would head both directions. Visit Hood River, some wineries. Do some hikes along the Gorge. Head up to Mt. Hood and visit the lodge (I've seen pictures, but not "The Shining") and hike up there. My Oregon guidebook also highly recommended Eagle Creek Trail, so thanks for confirming that one.

I'm not sure if I will be able to stop in Portland. My pup can't stay in the hot car during a rose stop. Do they allow dogs on a leash in this park?

While in Arch Cove, actually just 1.5 mi. south of town, I hoped to visit several of the beaches and do some hikes. Relax, visit galeries. Taking a dune buggy sounds fun, but is that only at the Dunes Park further south?

It looks like trying to drive all the way south to Yachats as a day trip would be too long. I might head back that way, then on to Crater Lake. Seems Crater Lake is a little out of the way for a fast route back to Utah, so not sure about that yet either.

enzian,

I'll look at the links. I would be interested in that waterfall hike! Is it near enough to Hood River?
Icelandic ponies, huh? I'll have to check that out too.

Why is it that no matter how long you get for a trip, it's just never enough??? Too much work and not enough play.

Keep your recommendations coming! Greatly appreciated.

One other question - what about wildlife? I assume the Cascades have bears, but what about cougars? No bears along the coast? I know there are lots of trees, but also a fair amount of development. I guessing critters of all types, but probably no bears. Poisonous snakes? Does coastal OR have rattlers? I'm going prepared for mosquitoes. It's a love/hate relationship!

enzian, I cannot believe that the orignal owner of the NW Stables was the same character I used go riding with at the Valley View Stables in Draper, UT in the 80's. Small world. Thanks ever so much for that link!

Spiro-your pics are beautiful. I will have to see about the roses.

Oh yes- bears along the coast. I don't know about Cannon Beach area- but Florence area for sure has had quite a few sightings- even getting in peoples homes.

Horseback riding- M&M stables north of Florence- they take you riding on the beach -

Dune buggy rides- very fun- South of Florence is where I always go -

Do you have a place to stay at Crater Lake? I like the Prospect Hotel in the little town of Prospect- just outside the park- and the owners will pack you a lunch to go - huge breakfast in the am.- we stay there every winter for a snow shoe trip.

Biking- many people bike the rim at Crater Lake- I think it would a tough ride but have seen it done.

Dayle---I just noticed that you need a place to stop on your way from Park City to Parkdale. When I make the drive from Seattle to Snowbird, I used to always break up the drive with an overnight stop at La Grande, a lovely unspoiled little town right off the freeway (I-84) in the Blue Mountains. There are several pet-friendly places there. When on my own, I stay at the family-owned 2-star and dirt cheap Royal Motor Inn, very walkable to the small downtown area and its restaurants. Their website says they have pet rooms. (Now that my son lives in Boise I stop there instead, but when I have the dog with me I make a stop on the way at the forested rest stop a bit west of La Grande, maybe 30 miles or so. It should be marked on a map).

According to bringfido.com, there are no pet-friendly restaurants in La Grande. There is one in Baker City, about 30 miles before you reach La Grande (westbound). Paisano's Pizza---apparently they have a patio where you can sit with your dog. I'm not sure that makes it worthwhile stopping over in Baker City, but my kids tell me it has a nice historic district/downtown. It's not up in the mountains like La Grande, but "you can see them from there".

Portland Rose Garden does allow leashed dogs---scoop law enforced.

http://www.rosegardenstore.org/irtg_faqs.cfm

Or you could break up your drive to the coast with a stop and long walk in beautiful Forest Park, along the ridge on the west edge of Partland. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails---we saw lots of them when I last visited there.

The waterfall hike (Oneanta Falls) is between Hood River and Portland, along the Multnomah Highway but east of Multnomah Falls. I imagine dogs are allowed on the trails throughout that area, but I wouldn't bring one on the waterfall hike due to the necessity of scaling the logjam at the outset. Not something I would ask a dog to do---it would be too easy for them to slip and get caught. But the hike that takes you above and over the falls on a bridge is nice too.

(Oh, what we give up for our pets---I've cut my Mt. Rainier NP hiking drastically since we got our Labrador. But she's worth it.)

As for riding, I'd take a ride on the beach over a forest trail anytime. About 15 years ago, I rode at a little Mom-and-Pop stable near Nehalem that probably doesn't exist any more, but it was great---good horses, like riding with friends. They actually trusted the experienced riders to canter on the beach, which was fantastic. I don't know anything about the places there now, but this one (also near Nehalem) says they offer rides for experienced riders:

http://oregonbeachrides.com/OBR%20Ne...y%20rates.html

You can go to Crater Lake, then exit the Fort Klamath direction toward Hwy 97. It is actually an interesting drive to Lakeview and down to Elko. From Elko, staight shot back to Salt Lake City.

Oregon is a very dog friendly state, with plenty of places that allow for dogs. If you end up in Portland, splurge at the Vintage Plaza-they keep track of your dog's name, provide dog treats and extra guest bags for your morning walks. Love it!

Another good hike in the gorge is Triple Falls. We have taken our golden on that and have seen quite a few other dogs on that trail.

I don't believe there is an "Arch Cove" in Oregon, so I'm still a bit confused as to where on the coast you'll be. If it is Arch Cape, you'll be about 3.5 hours from Florence and those dune buggys.

No rattlers in coastal Oregon. Highly doubtful you'll see bear or cougar either. And mosquitos don't much like the coastal winds, so you might avoid them too.

Thanks so much my friends! This is all great info. I'll be sticking mostly to the 2 home exchanges in Parkdale and Arch Cape - I keep saying Cove! I have 3 days to drive home, so I'm thinking maybe 1 night in Yachats and 1 at Crater Lake.

Can't wait to do some hiking, but the pup doesn't "do hikes". Pugs like short walks....

A friend at work was telling me how beautiful the grounds of the Bonneville Fish Hatchery are, so I may stop and see that instead of the Portland rose garden.

I don't worry much about wildlife, but I like to know what to be aware of.

Any other suggestions of where to stay around Crater Lake would be greatly appreciated. I'll start checking that part next.

Also grounds at Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River are beautiful - hotel was closed for awhile- bit think its open again
Also grounds at the Edgefield hotel in Troutdale ( at the beginning of the Gorge) are nice for little pugs

I don't know about the other grounds, but the Rose Garden is something I would hate to miss.

Pretty short list, Diamond Lake Resort offere motel rooms and that is a beautiful area to do some short pug dog hikes. Diamond Lake is only six miles from the north entrance of Crater Lake. Chemult is about 40 miles away, but if you were heading back, you can get to Klamath Falls in about one hour away. There is a small motel at the Hwy 138/Hwy Jct and the is about 22 miles from the north entrance. There is a campground at Crater Lake, but my guess is there will be snow until mid June.