The last two weekends have been great weather for fall dirt bike riding. The colors have been gorgeous, especially the aspens this year. Bade and I went riding up the left fork of Hobble Creek last weekend, and did the right fork of Hobble Creek this weekend.
Bade and I traveled along the Columbia River on the Northern border of Oregon from Hood River to Astoria. We made this trip in just one day, so we didn’t make too many stops, but you can find our favorite stops listed below.
Bonneville Fish Hatchery
Bade LOVES fishing, so of course he wanted to stop at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery for salmon (just west as you are leaving Hood River, OR). Again, a stop that I was not so excited about, but this stop was one I would certainly do again. The fish hatchery itself was fun because you could see the fish eggs, if the salmon are spawning, you can view workers getting the eggs out of the fish (really gross, but cool). You can feed the fish, see other species like Herman the 70 year old sturgeon I’m showing off in the picture above. We were there when the workers were feeding the baby fish which was way fun to watch. You can also head over to the dam, and view the salmon ‘climbing’ the fish ladder. You can look at the fish underwater through windows, or go on top and view the few fish who go over the ladder rungs instead of through them.
Multnomah Falls and Other Waterfalls
Multnomah Falls is definitely the most popular and well known of the waterfalls along the Columbia River in Oregon. Part way up the falls you will see the iconic bridge that is just a short, but steep paved walk up. We got to the falls just before lunch time and it was packed. If you are going to visit these falls, you will probably want to get an early start so that you can beat some of the crowds.
There are plenty of other waterfalls up and down the river from Multnomah. Bade and I think that some of the other falls are even more impressive and definitely more enjoyable than Multnomah Falls. Latourell Falls was probably one of our favorites because it is a short walk, really tall waterfall, and far down the line so there were hardly any people at it. It is also surrounded by really unique rock overhangs and of course, bright green moss.
Vista House at Crown Point
Just keep following the road from Multnomah Falls west and you will arrive at Crown Point. If there is an ultimate location for wind, so windy you need hand rails so you don’t blow away, this is the location. We stepped out of our car (knowing it was windy we were careful with the car doors), and instantly you feel like you need to hold onto something. As we walked, I was thinking “surely this is just bad timing” thinking that we started just as a wind gust came. 10 minutes later when the wind had yet to even waiver, I just accepted that this is the windiest place I have ever been (and earlier this year I spent a week in the windy city itself, Chicago, which is actually only the 16th windiest city, or something like that). The whole time I had to keep my toes curled around my flip flops so that they wouldn’t fly off my feet.
Other than the amazing wind experience, Crown Point provides a great view up and down the Columbia River.
Maritime Museum in Astoria
The Maritime Museum in Astoria is a little more expensive than most of our stops in Oregon ($12 per person), but it was a fun family friendly stop. There is an indoor portion and an outdoor bay portion. The indoor portion is more fun for kids. Bade enjoyed touring this lightboat in the bay.
Astoria Column
The Astoria Column was another family friendly stop. To climb to the top is $2 per car, and about 440 steps per person (if my memory is serving me well). Make sure that you buy a $1 balsa wood airplane before you climb the tower; this is probably one of the few towers or tall view point attractions in the world that not only let you throw things off the top, but encourage that you throw one of the airplanes from the top and watch it glide and dodge trees as it makes its’ way to the ground.
Bagby Hot Springs was one of my favorite little detours (or rather, kind of large detour) of our entire trip. These hot springs provided Bade and I our first shower of the trip, plus it was in the most beautiful and unique setting possible.
We started by hiking 40 or so minutes over 1.5 miles, with only about 200 feet of elevation gain through absolutely gorgeous Douglas firs and ceder trees towering hundreds (100-200) feet above, all completely coated in moss and other lush greenery.
The hike parallels a clear greenish-blue river the entire way.
You arrive at Bagby where you see many buildings with partial roofs, and a long trough bringing 135 degree water over to the buildings where you can take a private soak, nudity allowed, or a public soak, no nudity allowed. There is a cold water spring that you can use to mix with your hot water to achieve the perfect temperature.
The private soak was really cool because each room had a long hollowed out tree you soaked in while looking up at the towering trees above. To fill the tub you pulled a wooden cork from the wall, and put a wooden cork in the drain hole.
The public soak was fun because you were able to talk and mingle with other people. There was only 1 couple in the public soak area and one couple in the private soak area when we were there (midday Friday).
It was SUCH a relaxing downhill walk through the trees after a long bath; we were nice and clean and in a peaceful environment. I would DEFINITELY recommend Bagby Hot Springs to anyone near the area.
Bade and I had some unexpected changes in life which freed up nearly 2 weeks at the end of September. We had to cancel 2 of our trips we planned in September and 1 trip in October so with these 2 weeks available, without any planning, we took off for the Oregon Coast.
Shoshone Falls, ID
We left Utah and headed north through Idaho cutting from the bottom middle of Idaho over to the middle left. Shoshone Falls are normally VERY impressive falls however, during 2013 and 2014 Idaho has been working to beautify these falls by removing the water plants and other structures that are in the photo, so the falls have been being diverted. If I remember correctly, the work should be done by the end of the year, so feel free to visit these amazing falls spring 2015.
Sumpter Valley, OR
In Sumpter Valley we made stops at the Sumpter Valley Railroad Museum and the Sumpter Valley Dredge Museum. The railroad museum seemed like it would be fun when they take you on the train and have a ‘train robbing’. If we went there again we would try to be there when they are having robbings. The dredge museum was really cool. I went there thinking “do we really have to stop here” but Bade was really excited about seeing/touring a dredge. Turns out, it was way more interesting than I had anticipated. I would recommend this for anyone who finds themselves in this area.
Our Route Through Oregon
We choose our route through Oregon based on what is the prettiest to drive. This route was long, but so enjoyable the entire way.
Livin' Hard 
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