Chanticleer Point and Vista House at Crown Point, Columbia River Gorge

The geography of the Columbia River Gorge allows for a lot of scenery and a view scenic viewpoints. While many of those are obtained by hiking, there are two that you can drive to.

The silhouette of the Vista House at Crown Point may be more familiar, but many pictures of it are taken from Chanticleer Point, the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.

Chanticleer Point overlooks Rooster Rock as well, once the site of the Chanticleer Inn, known for salmon and chicken dinners.

Only Crown Point is on the Waterfall Trolley Tour, but both points can be easily accessed from the Historic Columbia River Highway and are less than a mile apart.

There are other shuttles that go to Chanticleer Point, though the parking was ample.

Chanticleer Point has historic markers regarding the Lewis and Clark expedition, the highway itself, and the Portland Women's Forum.

Through the gift of the Women's Forum, Chanticleer Point is part of the Oregon State Park system.

There is more to see at Crown Point, with many displays within the Vista House.

We visited it right after our trolley tour, so the displays on the history of the scenic highway took on an added interest after enjoying that scenery.

My sisters were also very pleased to find plush banana slugs in the gift shop. That wasn't really expected, but they had been wanting some for a while now.

There is also something to be said just for finally making it to somewhere so iconic. I had never been to Vista House before.

And the views are reason enough.

COVID: You can spend plenty of time outside. Even on the main floor of the Vista House -- depending on the weather -- panels are opened for free-flowing air and high ceilings. 

However, if you visit the other floors, and even if it is just pretty crowded, there are good reasons to mask inside.

Accessibility: Chanticleer Point is pretty good, though there can be some rough areas. 

Also, if this is the beginning of the Rooster Rock Wagon Road Hike, it looks like it gets a bit steep and there seem to be a lot of crashed vehicles along the way. 

https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Rooster_Rock_Wagon_Road_Hike

Vista House has a lot of steps, but there are ramps and elevators too.

That you need to use the intercom to get someone to let you use the elevator and they request that you use it only as needed does make it seem not particularly friendly.

If you choose to go, just be aware.

https://vistahouse.com/

http://portlandwomensforum.com/history.html

Columbia River Gorge -- Waterfall Trolley Tour

Lake Oswego was not our only trolley tour this year. 

One potential sad thing about some of these upcoming (and recent) posts is that they are going to involve attractions that have closed for the season. You may read about something and really want to do it, but you will have to wait until at least March, depending.

In the case of the Waterfall Trolley Tour through Gray Line, they are currently saying they will start again on May 24th.

Anticipation can be part of the fun.

No matter what our ultimate destination is, I always marvel at its beauty when driving through the Columbia River Gorge. 

Sometimes I would long to spend some time on the scenic highway, though we always go on 84.

Having been along it now, noting its many switchbacks and the grade and the sometimes narrow width, I think we were all glad to leave the driving to the trolley crew.

For one thing, all of us could enjoy the scenery without anyone having to concentrate on navigation.

We have benefited from Hop on/Hop Off tours in other travels for getting the lay of the land before navigating between stops.

Here are the stops in order (though pictures may not be) : 

For the gorge, it is easy to focus on Multnomah Falls and the lodge there, but there are many falls, with many different experiences.

Our conductor gave us more information about the geology, the individual waterfalls, the history of the area, and the specific history of the scenic highway.

One other really helpful thing is that we were able to park in their lot. Parking can be difficult in the gorge, especially at Multnomah Falls. The Crown Point County Historical Museum was not open yet, though you can see how it will look.

You can get and off at any of the stops, but you have to have a way to get to that first stop. Did I mention parking can be difficult?

From the Museum lot, the next stop is Crown Point and Vista House. There will be a separate review of that next week.

Up next is Latourell Falls, the third tallest fall in the gorge, with a 2-mile moderately difficult trail. 

Bridal Veil has a very popular post office for mailing wedding invitations, but it also has a steep  .3 mile hike or 1/2 mile overlook trail. 

Then you can go 1 mile West to Shepperd's Dell, which does not have its own stop, or 2 miles back to Latourell.

You can find a longer hike at Angels Rest, The five mile trail has a 1500 foot elevation gain.You can also loop it with Devil's Rest (apparently on rest is for multiple angels and one belongs to the devil), but you'll want to allow six hours for that.

Wahkeena Falls is known for being the most beautiful, the source of the name. There are four different trailheads, and it is possible to hike from the rest area to Multnomah Falls, which is one way of dealing with the parking issue.

Multnomah Falls is the one trail I have actually completed. The 2.4 mile hike is equivalent to 60 flights of stairs. I fell three times on the way down, which affected my climbing confidence. I do still find it beautiful, and would love to have brunch at the lodge, if we can work something out with a shuttle. It is just too popular.

Triple Falls has a moderate 3.6 mile round trip hike.

The Horsetail Falls is 3.1 miles, so technically shorter, but it is significantly steeper.

Incidentally, you can find information about the area at the following sites:

https://www.oregonhikers.org/

https://stateparks.oregon.gov/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/ 

Different sites may be more or less helpful for your specific interests.

The last stop doesn't have a hike. Ainsworth State Park does have camping. For those wanting to try many of the trails, or other activities, it can be a good option, and then the various shuttles can be a way to get to the trailheads.

I have only ridden on this shuttle, and its focus is more on scenery than on efficient transportation. However, you are in a remarkably beautiful place; the emphasis on the scenic makes sense. 

(If I were to plan on spending time camping and hiking, I would probably use this shuttle once and then look at Sasquatch or something.)

If I was going to choose one of the hikes, it would probably be between Triple Falls or Wahkeena, though I would probably be even more likely to go to Silver Falls or Forest Park. 

Tickets can be purchased on site at the museum site. To just get on somewhere else, you will need to purchase on line.

COVID: The trolley is open air, but there can still be a lot of people close together, which may vary with the time of the season. It may still be best to mask while one.

Accessibility: Each trolley is equipped to board and carry two wheelchairs. However, since that capacity is limited, they do request 24 hours notice. 

Some of the individual stops may not be very accessible, not to mention some of the trails. The views from the trolley can be enough to make the trip worthwhile, but consider those other factors when planning.

After all, you have until Memorial Day.

https://www.waterfalltrolley.com/