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| The Columbia River Gorge | ||
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The spectacular beauty of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area's 220,000 acres is accessible via the Historic Columbia River Highway. The Columbia River Highway is consistently ranked among the nation's most beautiful scenic routes. The gorge itself, carved through the volcanic basalt of the Cascade Mountain Range by the persistent Columbia River, is best viewed from the Portland Women's Forum State Park or Crown Point. Both vantage spots are located on the old highway. Crown Point is home to the Vista House visitor center, which features historical exhibits on the gorge and the construction of the highway. The beauty of the gorge is accentuated by the waterfalls that gracefully cascade down the slopes of Mount Hood to the Columbia River below. Waterfalls along the gorge highway include Horsetail, Latourell, Bridal Veil and Multnomah Falls, the state's most visited attraction. Most of the falls offer parking areas for travelers who want to picnic or hike along the well-maintained trails. Far below these mountain trails, the brightly colored sails of windsurfers are often visible dotting the waters of the Columbia River. The gorge's natural wind-tunnel effect has made this area one of the world's foremost windsurfing playgrounds. |