The Hood-Columbia Loop: Timberline, Orchards, and Waterfalls

4.8 (13 reviews) 8 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

13 reviews

4.8

Credit: Jordan & Dani — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The Hood-Columbia Loop: Timberline, Orchards, and Waterfalls, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Mt. Hood is the highest summit in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. It features waterfalls, glaciers, and historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression, and featuring the longest ski season in the US. To the north of Mt. Hood is the Hood River Valley. You will get intimate with this area through a visit to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, fruit stands in the Hood River Valley, downtown Hood River (your opportunity for lunch and/or alcoholic beverages), and breathtaking stops in the eastern and western Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls included). Your expert guide, with formal background in ecology and natural resources, will teach you about the natural and cultural history of the area, as you drive the Mt. Hood and Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byways. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel.

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At a glance

Duration: 8 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 14 people
People per booking: 1–14
Guide: English
Operated by: Terran Travels

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–7 years) · Adults (8–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: Snacks
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: PA system so the back row can hear the guide

Not included

Not included: Lunch
Not included: Gratuities (always appreciated)

Itinerary

Mount Hood

2 hours

Mt. Hood is a potentially active stratovolcano, the highest peak in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. Not only is it known for its beauty, visible on the skyline of much of northern Oregon and southern Washington, but it is also the most climbed stratovolcano in the Cascades, easily accessible from Timberline Lodge, which is the only ski resort in the US that is open every month of the year. You will spend 1-2 hours at Timberline Lodge, on the mountain, just below the Palmer Glacier.
Timberline Lodge

30 min

This Works Progress Administration project was dedicated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937. It is one of the most unique, and expansive buildings in the State of Oregon, sitting on Mt. Hood above timberline, for utterly sublime views. You can divide your time among interpretive displays, food & drink venues, hiking in summer and snowplay in winter, as you like. The lodge is a National Historic Landmark, and the only ski resort in the US that is open every month of the year.
Draper Girls Country Farm

20 min

Depending on the season, we'll stop at this charming orchard store, where you can buy fresh fruit & preserves, pet the cats and goats, and get a spectacular shot of Mt. Hood, weather permitting.
Apple Valley Country Store

20 min

Depending on the season, we'll stop at this homey country store, who not only sell fruit and preserves, but also homemade pies and huckleberry milkshakes!
Port of Hood River

one hour

Dubbed the "windsurfing capital" of the world, Hood River also has more breweries per capita than any other city in the US, and a plethora of tasting rooms, galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. This is where you'll spend your lunch hour.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

3 hours

The 85-mile (137-km) long Columbia Gorge NSA features waterfalls, mountains, monoliths, terraces, resort towns, vineyards, orchards, the Columbia River, a plethora of birds, and a plant community that changes dramatically between the west and east ends.
Rowena Crest Viewpoint

20 min

The quintessential photo opportunity for the eastern Gorge.
Columbia River Highway

Passing by

This 74-mile (123-km) long historic highway was inspired by the Axenstrasse in the Swiss Alps. These days one can no longer drive the entire highway, but we will drive portions of this picturesque, engineering marvel in both the eastern and western gorge, past basalt terraces and waterfalls.
Bridge of the Gods

Passing by

Columbia River crossing for the Pacific Crest Trail, and lowest point on that trail. Named for a Native American legend that explains the local geology.
Bonneville Lock & Dam

Passing by

Another National Historic Landmark, Bonneville Dam was the first Public Works Administration dam on the Columbia River, completed in 1938.
Bonneville Hatchery

Passing by

Largest hatchery in the state of Oregon.
Elowah Falls

Passing by

A hidden beauty...watch quickly, or you might miss it!
Beacon Rock

Passing by

The fifth largest free-standing monolith in the world. It is an 848-ft (258-m) volcanic plug, composed of columnar basalt, so similar in size and composition to Devil's Tower, Wyoming.
Horsetail Falls- Columbia River Gorge

Passing by

Don't miss this quirky waterfall as we pass by!
Multnomah Falls

30 min

The tallest waterfall in the state, with a combined height of 620 feet.
Wahkeena Falls

Passing by

Another cute waterfall to watch for closely!
Crown Point State Park

Passing by

Once known as Thor's Hammer, this geological feature towers above, with a crown-shaped building sitting atop, and a waterfall coming down the side.
Rooster Rock State Park

Passing by

As we pass by, view the rock that inspired North America's oldest continuously running nudist beach!
Sandy River

Passing by

We'll cross the Sandy River between the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. The Sandy's headwaters is a glacier on Mt. Hood, and the river is known for its Steelhead and Chinook runs. As a result, the Sandy is one of three tributaries of the Columbia who's dams have been removed since 2007.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

End point

Pickup points

Sentinel
Oregon Motel
Portland Value Inn
Motel 6 Portland, Or – Southeast
Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland
The Duniway Portland, a Hilton Hotel
Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center
Broadway Inn by OYO downtown Portland
Best Western Plus Portland Airport Hotel & Suites
Ramada by Wyndham Portland
Best Western Pony Soldier Inn - Airport

and 170 more pickup points

Pickup locations are flexible. We'll contact you the evening before to verify pickup time and location.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.