Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge Natural Scenic Area Finale

Sunrise with Mount Hood in the distance

With this blog, I bring my trip to Oregon to a conclusion.  In the a.m., I leave for McAllen, Texas to photograph at one of the ranches  Laguna Seca with Larry Ditto.

Wednesday morning, another really wake up and we traveled back to Dalles mountain to photograph the sunrise.  Guess what, no clouds, no sunrise, Oh well, however, looking across from Washington into Oregon what is in front of us, but a beautiful clear view of Mount Hood.  Normally Mount Hood is hidden in the clouds.  There it was in its snow-covered glory.  Was able take photograph of Mount Hood with the field of flowers in front of it.

We then went and visited Wahkeena Falls, which is visible and photographable from the side of the road.

Wahkeena Falls

We then finished up the morning, returned to the motel for lunch an another post processing session.  In the afternoon, the group went to photograph Fairy Falls, but due to the length and steepness of the climb, I photographed three waterfalls that were in the Canyon and much easier to access.  I started out at Latourell Falls, which is barely visible from the highway but walking down a paved path lead you to the base of the falls. Latourell Falls has a 249 foot plunge, the walls have a beautiful yellow lichen on them, and the whole lower area is covered in mist caused by the force of the water falling into the pool.  I utilized a Aloksak Bag, a clear waterproof bag over my camera and lens, which did allow me to set up my scene and adjust my settings on the camera and then remove the bag, focus, and shoot.  After which I put the bag back over the camera and lens and did not get violently any water on the lens.  These bags are made in different sizes, their are airtight, waterproof and practically indestructible.  They are available from Amazon.

Latourell Falls

Latourell Falls

I then traveled down to Multnomah Falls, a 611 Ft. Cascade, which already could be photographed in sections, because Benson bridge, which spans the falls first tier's base is under construction.

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls upper tier with bridge repair in the fore ground

I finished off the day at the Lower Horsetail Falls, where after photographing this lovely falls.  The rest of the group joined me, and since again.  There were no clouds in the sky for us sunset shoot.  We went back into Hood River for supper done back to the motel in preparation for our last morning.

Lower Horsetail Falls

Lower Horsetail Falls

On our last morning, we went back to Rowena Outlook for sunrise after which we returned to the restaurant at the motel for our final brunch.  Everybody agreed that this was a most excellent trip.

Sunrise at Rowena

Sunrise at Rowena

Lupines

Since my flight home was a red eye, I spent the rest of the day touring the area, I photographed The Hood Bridge and took the scenic road around Mount Hood, photographing Mount Hood on the way.   I drove up to the Timberlane Lodge, which also is a ski area.  There was still large amounts of snow present, and a large group of skiers.  Coming back down to continue my trip on the amount toward scenic road I photographed a small waterfall coming down along the side of the road.

Mount Hood from an Orchard

Mount Hood with snow on the ground

Timberlane Lodge

Waterfall on the side of the road

Finishing the day, I return to Rowena overlook to take photographs of the road.  This portion of historic Route 30 was designed by Samuel C.  Lancaster and John Arthur Elliott.  The alignment of the road generally had a maximum rate of 5% any curve radius of 200 feet and was wide enough for 18 feet of asphalt and two three foot gravel shoulders.

I finished the day, hoping to visit the Bonneville lock and dam, but I arrived at half hour after visiting hours.  But finished off at the state fish hatchery where they raise rainbow trout and white sturgeons.

I drove into Portland to the airport checked in, have supper and then took the red-eye from Portland to Chicago and then Chicago to home.

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