Historic Columbia River Highway and Waterfalls

The Historic Columbia River Highway was the first modern highway constructed in the Pacific Northwest and the first scenic highway in the United States.
The section we will travel still remains pretty much true to Engineer Samuel Lancaster and and Sam Hill's vision.. The highway opened in 1916 and eventually wound its' way from Portland to the Dalles, almost 90 miles east of Portland.
Interstate 84 out of Portland parallels the original highway. We go past the Multnomah Falls viewing area and get off of Interstate 84 at exit 35 and head back west towards Portland for about a 17 mile drive on the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Since its opening the Historic Columbia River Highway has been a favored destination for travelers earning it the coveted title by many as the "King of Highways."
With its gorgeous scenery including cascading waterfalls and deep gorges, this historic highway offers up what the original designers called "beauty spots."
Horsetail Falls is our first.Now for the grand daddy of the falls along the Historic Highway, Multnomah Falls. Millions of visitors each year are inspired by these falls. This water fall is the second-tallest year-round waterfall in the nation. The water drops 620 feet.
The winding road of the scenic highway will deliver us next to Wahkeena Falls. Like most of the falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway, trails take you through some gorgeous and majestic scenery.The Vista House was built in 1916 at the same time as Highway 30. The building was designed to be a place of refreshment and enjoyment of the Columbia Gorge.
The octagonal building with its copper dome houses a museum, gift shop and interpretive display of historic and geologic points of interest in the Gorge and a awe inspiring view of the Columbia River 733 feet below.
.At one time the highway was home to many roadhouses where travelers could get a good meal and rest. A mile past vista House, At the Portland Women's Forum State Park at
Chanticleer Point this is the former site of the Chanticleer Inn, where the highway's masterminds met in 1913 to plan construction. Scott Walter gets his camera out and visits the Historic Columbia Highway and its' waterfalls.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• columbia
• river
• highway
• scott
• walter
• multnomah
• falls
• portland
• oregon

[roon41]

Nice video scott..

Sadly, youtube and flash player 10 seem to really compress content which messes up the color. What camera did you use? I was last there in '01 and had a great visit.

[scottwalt]

Rob... I shoot with my old trusty Sony mini dv cm 16 k. I love the waterfalls! Scott.

[AxeBrand1]

So stunning upload which captured my attention!

At last I saw it. The unmistakable glow of this awesome waterfalls. I felt I was there at the bridge listening to the beautiful sound of flowing water which is quite relaxing and soothing.

It’s one of the most superb videos that’s gonna become a driving passion in my life in the months and years ahead.

The bridge is indeed a masterpiece of engineering.

Thanks for sharing this nice upload with your channel viewers. I rate and appreciate.

[DougWulfram]

Too bad all of this wonderful nature e taken over by the niggers and muslims that we are letting take over our country.

northwestfront DOT org

Time to get ready to take it back before it is all gone.

[JETZcorp]

Although the scenery along this road is epic, my favorite part of the road is... the road. Take it on a weekday when no one else is there, open the taps a bit, take the corners with some good g-force, and it's a blast. Can't imagine how great it would be to drive it in a Porsche Cayman or something instead of just my mom's minivan. :-P

[SalemRealEstate]

great video!

[OregonAlleyCat]

Great video. Thanks for posting it, scott. I love driving this section of highway whenever I get the chance.

[jpete3027666]

I love the Gorge

[8mycrab]

My family has hiked every one of these waterfalls and up and down the Gorge. We used to just minutes away and would pack a picnic and go.

Now we live closer to Newport.

Susie

[naturevideo]

Excellent job, well done!

[interstateruler]

I think this is one of the nest travel videos I ever saw. This should make it to the Travel Channel

[SiCoFgOvErNmEnT]

Sweet video, I'm leaving a couple slide show video responses of my pics up that way. Hope you like..