The Mighty Columbia RiverThe Columbia River forms 300 miles of the Oregon border with Washington State. It is used for fishing, transportation, access to the Pacific Ocean, recreation, and the making of electricity. Its headwaters are in the Canadian Rockies and it flows into the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon.
It was first discovered in 1792 by the American explorer, Robert Gray, who named the river after his ship. In 1805 Lewis and Clark traveled down the river to the Pacific Ocean. In 1825 Fort Vancouver was established on the Washington side of the river for the Hudson's Bay Company for the purpose of fur trading with trappers and indians. When the migration on the Oregon Trail began the river was the route the pioneers took to western Oregon Territory before there was a road crossing the Cascade Mountains. The river actually cuts through the Cascade Mountain Range and forms the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.
The various indian tribes in the area have fishing rights in the river. Licenses for fishing for Salmon are available during season. The number of days fishing is open depends on the fish count. 
The mouth of the river, the Columbia Bar is possibly the most dangerous stretch of water to navigate in the world. There have been hundreds of shipwreaks on or near the bar. The best place to see the bar is from the south jetty at
Fort Stevens
State Park near Warrenton. Or you could cross it in a fishing boat for the complete experience. I had a roommate in college who crossed it in her father's commecial fishing boat. Her father ended up tying her to the boat because he was afraid she was going to jump overboard. She was that seasick. (Picture of the south jetty at right.)
Take a scenic excursion from Hood River to Park Dale at the base of Mt. Hood. The Mt. Hood Railroad has all kinds of different themed excursions year round. The trip is four hours long and you will see some very beautiful scenery--especially in the spring and fall. In April the fruit trees are in bloom and in autumn you will enjoy the fall foliage. There are some very nice places to stay in the Columbia River Gorge. There are hotels, motels, bed and breakfast, campgrounds, and RV parks. From the Gorge you can continue on to Eastern Oregon on the I-84 or return to Portland on the same highway. Or you can circle around Mt. Hood and then continue on into Central Oregon. Return to Great Oregon Vacations from Columbia River
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