Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge: An Epic Cultural Journey in Oregon

Get a real sense for what it must have been like for Oregon Trail pioneers starting in The Dalles, where the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountains. This was the point where emigrants following the Oregon Trail were faced with a major decision: Risk rafting down the Columbia River or go overland on Barlow Road, a much longer route across the south side of Mt. Hood. Visit West Barlow Tollgate, a replica of the final toll stop on the last leg of the Oregon Trail. Then, spend some time at Philip Foster Farm, a sprawling farmstead in Eagle Creek, where many pioneers sought refuge along their trek. Visitors today can see the General Store, a blacksmith shop and a reproduction of an 1850s schoolhouse. Be sure to drop into the Country Store stocked with clothing, toys, games and candy, as well as regional, hand-crafted items showcasing local talent and traditions.

Rivers here are teeming with sockeye, sturgeon and salmon, bringing in a bounty of fresh caught fish from the Columbia River. What you may not know is that traditional fishing spots and techniques pioneered by the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Native American Tribes are still used to haul in the catch of the day. Brigham Fish Market in Cascade Locks, a riverfront town, honors these methods. It’s the go-to spot for freshly caught fish as well as other local delicacies. Delve deeper into the region’s history and heritage at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum in The Dalles. It showcases 10,000 years of Native American culture and natural history with exhibits including a basketry exhibit, showcasing the intricate designs of more than 80 of these artifacts.

Witness the inspiration that Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge conjure for artists. Visit the Port of Cascade Locks' scenic Marine Park to admire works by bronze sculptor Heather Söderberg-Greene as part of the Art in the Park installation: The larger-than-life sculpture “Sacagawea, Pompi and Seaman” is sure to capture your imagination. Be sure to catch the annual Gorge Artists Open Studio Tour each spring to browse art studios, meet the artists and admire artwork while learning more about their process and inspiration.

There’s perhaps no building that represents the region better than Timberline Lodge. Surrounded by the enchanting alpine forest on the slopes of Mt. Hood, this striking National Historic Landmark is set at a 1,817-meter elevation. Designed by William I. Turner, a Forest Service architect, and built with many regional materials, the lodge has been fittingly deemed an example of “Cascadian Architecture.” Its roofline even mimics the Mt. Hood peak. Today, it’s still used for its original purpose (as a ski lodge), but you can also wander through the ground floor, main lobby and mezzanine and discover designs and furnishings created by local artists and craftspeople back when it was originally funded as a Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project in the 1930s. Add this to your list of stops, and you’ll be in for a treat whether you ski or not. During the summer, add a side trip to the Cascadia Center for Arts & Crafts in Government Camp, which teaches the traditional crafts used during the New Deal era and in the construction of Timberline Lodge, as well as contemporary classes and workshops.

Fly into Portland International Airport, rent a car and drive 127 kilometers to the center of the Mt. Hood area.