Multnomah Falls Tour

Words fail many travelers who drive the exquisite Historic Columbia River Highway. Every twist and turn brings a new treasure, from majestic waterfalls, to astounding views from the tops of cliffs over 900 feet above the river. During the spring, the Gorge area erupts into magnificent wildflower displays, including many plants that only exist in this area.

The Crown Point Vista House (above; Restoration Project updates) was built between 1916-1918 by Multnomah County as a comfort station and scenic wayside for those traveling on the Historic Columbia River Highway, which had been completed in 1913. It is also a memorial to Oregon pioneers. It was formally dedicated on May 5th,

1918. The historic Bonneville Dam/Fish Hatchery is on request and possibly at additional time and cost. Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. The water of the Falls drops 620 feet from its origin on Larch Mountain. Unusually cold weather can turn this plummeting falls into a frozen icesicle, with a few drops falling to the bottom. The frozen falls is a sight to behold. Your tour guide will discuss all of these sights, point out some native wildlife, plus some general information about the Gorge to let you know 'Where did this place come from?', with ice age Glacial Lake Missoula & the Missoula Floods and its affect on the Gorge's formation. Lewis & Clark's Corp of Discovery passed by all these places. Extended stops (30 - 45 minutes each) at 2 of these locations is possible. Bring sturdy shoes so you can walk the trails, if desired. This is the classic Oregon Scenic Tour. (pictures) You may choose to customize this tour.

The Columbia River is confined to a gap about sixty yards wide at the entrance to the Long Narrows, shown here in 1882. The future site of the Vista House on Crown Point is to the far left. Mt. St. Helens is in the background.

Carleton Watkins, photographer, OHS neg., OrHi 21646

The Long Narrows

This painting (same view as above but from the opposite direction) gives a hint of the awesome force and volume of the Ice Age Floods. It shows the first rush of a Missoula Flood coming into the Long Narrows and lower Columbia River Gorge. The speed of the floods approached 60 mph through the Gorge. Beacon Rock is in the far distance, with the viewer standing behind Crown Point in the right foreground. At maximum flow, the largest of the floods filled the Gorge, overtopping Crown Point. When Glacial Lake Missoula burst, this was the narrowest constriction all along its route from Montana, where all 500 cubic miles of water were forced between these tall cliffs only 1.5 miles apart. Like a jet of water exiting a nozzle, the flow accelerated from the Long Narrows opening, reaching speeds of 80 miles an hour before slowing and spreading out over the Portland Basin.

THE COLUMBIA RIVER HISTORIC HIGHWAY BEGAN AS THE DREAM of visionary Samuel Hill and engineer Samuel Lancaster. It became known as a poem in stone, the first scenic highway in America, the first major paved road in the Northwest: 73 miles of highway, three tunnels, 18 bridges, seven viaducts and two footbridges. Teddy Roosevelt called it the most remarkable feat of engineering of its time. When the highway opened in 1916, the Illustrated London News called it "the best of all great highways in the world, glorified! It is the king of roads".

By 1922, the Columbia River Highway went along a route purposely designed to twist and turn, showing of what Roosevelt called its "unequaled scenic grandeur."

In the early 1900s, drivers stopped their Model T's in the middle of the road to admire the scenery including Horsetail Falls (left). Now visitors park across the highway and dodge passing cars to enjoy the view. In 1913 highway engineer Samuel Lancaster wrote: "Our first order of business was to find the beauty spots, of those points where the most beautiful things along the line might be seen in the best advantage, and if possible to locate the road in such a way as to reach them."

Highway engineer Samuel Lancaster thought the land atop the 733-foot cliff at Crown Point was an ideal vantage point for travelers to see both up and down the Columbia River "in silent communion with the infinite." Portland architect Edgar Lazarus, who designed the Vista House observatory, said "the pavilion with its outline against the sky will recall the ancient and mystic Thor's Crown for which the point (then called Thor's Crown) was originally named." During construction of the highway, the name was changed to Crown Point. More about the Columbia River Highway.

* A Trailhead Release Agreement form is required from each member of the group if you plan on taking any extended hike not included in the basic itinerary, described above. If you choose to take any extended hike, whether short or long, this form will be required from all group members who participate. The chauffeur/tour guide will not be allowed to accompany your group on any hike. Be prepared for inclement weather (rain, snow, cold, etc.). Any trail hike beyond what is described above is outside the parameters of our tour and is at your own risk. Children must be supervised on any trail at all times. You must notify our staff if you are planning on hiking in any areas beyond what is described above as the Trailhead Release Agreement is required. Any digression from the scheduled itinerary described above without notifying staff is unacceptable and will result in the immediate termination of your tour with no refund.