Located just east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. It is a wide canyon up to 4000 feet deep, cut by the glacial Lake Missoula floods during the last ice age. Home to the highest concentration of waterfalls in the United States, it is perhaps best known as a land of waterfalls. The most famous of these waterfalls is Multnomah Falls, a 620 foot high waterfall which tumbles over the cliffs in two distinct tiers. It is also home to sweeping vistas, the mighty Columbia River, and the famous Vista House at Crown Point and the Maryhill Stonehenge Memorial. It forms the boundary between Washington to the north and Oregon to the south, with the mighty Columbia River separating the two states as it makes its final push along its 1,243 mile journey towards the Pacific Ocean.
I’ve spent my entire life visiting the Columbia River Gorge. As a young child, I would often hike on the trails in the gorge with my Dad, headed to places like Angel’s Rest or on a trail up to Larch Mountain. As I grew older I still frequented the gorge, often going on hikes here with my now wife. We were married on cliffs overlooking the gorge, so my lifelong love for this wondrous place understandably runs deep. Over 40 years after I first started hiking this beautiful cathedral of basalt, it still takes my breath away.
Although the Columbia River Gorge is known for its waterfalls, the sweeping vistas and autumn colors here are quite a sight to see. Seeing the warm fall colors mix with the greens this area is known for is a stunning sight. If you’re lucky, the waters of the mighty Columbia River can appear still, reflecting the scenery like a mirror. Places like Spirit Falls are particularly beautiful, as the turquoise water of the Little White Salmon River seem almost too perfect for this world as they tumble over the cliffs and make their way down towards the mighty Columbia.
During the winter, the cold east winds can mix with precipitation the Pacific Northwest is known for to turn the Columbia River Gorge into a winter wonderland of ice and snow. Suddenly, the areas around the waterfalls become a land of ice, as the flowing water from the waterfalls cuts through the ice covered landscapes surrounding them. The cold can linger here in the winter, transforming this magical place from a land of lush greens into a land of water and ice.
It’s easy to see why the Columbia River Gorge is a favorite among anyone who has spent their life in this area, and although the gorge is a mix of state parks and national forests its beauty can rival that of any National Park I’ve ever laid eyes on. Nature always seems to bring us a feeling of renewed optimism and clarity, and this astonishing place is no different. It’s a place I’ve frequented my entire life, and it always leaves me with an overwhelming feeling of peace and serenity. I hope everyone who visits my Columbia River Gorge Fine Art Photography gallery experiences the same feelings of peace and serenity that I always have here.
