The Columbia River Gorge is a place where views are never twice the same and moments of beauty are easily found along trails you can walk or bike or drive at your leisure.
It is a timeless place that’s easy on the eyes, easy to explore and provides each visitor with enough memories to last a lifetime.
The 25th Anniversary of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a milestone event that officially arrives in November.
It dates back 25 years ago when President Ronald Reagan signed the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Act into law.
It remains the country’s only National Scenic Area!
What makes it so special?
Ask famed Oregon landscape photographer, Steve Terrill, who makes a living capturing the state’s many splendid pleasures.
“The gorge is really stands on it’s own. You can start up at Vista House and drive the old Columbia River Highway to all the beautiful waterfalls that are all so different: Shepherd’s Dell sits in a little pocket, Latourell Falls is right next to the road and Wahkeena Falls sweeps and terraces down a rocky way.”
And then there are places where a real riot breaks out each spring. Places like Rowena Crest at the Tom McCall Preserve; the landscape hosts a riot of colorful wildflowers!
“That’s a stunner,” noted Terrill. “Probably the most dramatic wildflower display in the gorge. You head there early in the morning so to photograph with that golden light and you see bright beautiful yellow balsamroot; red paintbrush, blue and purple lupine. It’s all so breathtaking.”
There are nearly 300,000 acres within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
It is not a wilderness but solitude and open space is easy to find. It isn’t a park, but you can enjoy camping and hiking. It is protected for its scenery yet allows growth and development inside existing communities.
Simply put, the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area isn’t like anywhere else in the country.
“We have a combination of state, federal and private lands in the Scenic Area,” said Jen Kevil, a Recreation Specialist with the US Forest Service. “It spans both states – Oregon and Washington – it’s about 80 miles long and we have the mighty Columbia River right in the middle of it.”
Kevin Gorman, Executive Director of the Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, said that recognition of the gorge’s special qualities dates back much earlier than 25 years ago.
“It started in the early 1900’s – when the National Park Service considered the gorge as a potential national park, he said. "Over the years, a number of people had the idea that protection was critical to preservation. There was always a vision to protect the place, but it was always a question of fortitude to carry that out.”
One person who did have the fortitude was Nancy Russell. She founded the "Friends” organization in 1980 and worked tirelessly to make long term protection a reality.
“She would do anything to protect the gorge,” added Gorman. “She was fierce and protective and she cared quite a bit about this area. It took Nancy’s perseverance, the political will of people like Senator Mark Hatfield and an army of citizens in Oregon and Washington – Democrat and Republican – to make it happen.”
What did happen with the passage and signing of the federal law was the creation of a new way to purchase land from willing sellers and protect it for all to enjoy.
Today, there are 40,000 public acres within the scenic area managed by the US Forest Service.
“It is protected for its scenic resources,” added Kevil. “ But not only is the scenery amazing, the gorge communities offer wonderful things for people to do too.”
Nearby, The Dalles boasts that it is a community “Gateway to the Gorge.”
In fact, since 1997 the Columbia Gorge National Discovery Center has been the official interpretive setting for the National Scenic Area.
“The awesome entrance will captivate you and leave you eager to learn more,” said Executive Director, Carolyn Purcell.
“We show and tell all about the early geology of the region, the ice ages when there were Columbian Mammoths living here alongside the people who were here. Our five acres has been restored with native vegetation and that helps people visualize what the gorge looked like when the pioneers came through here.”
The Discovery Center is home to important stories that link us to Oregon’s rich natural and cultural histories.
Through the summer and fall of 2011, the Center will also link you to the many celebrations centered on the National Scenic Area’s 25th Anniversary.
“We have partnered with many organizations for varied arts and cultural events that are scheduled through the year. Many children’s activities are slated, plus lots of outdoor recreation opportunities will be happening in different locations of the gorge. We think visitors will be pleased with their options and will want to learn more about this place. We want to help them discover the secrets of the gorge.”
It’s spring in Oregon and we’re out enjoying the outdoors! For details on creating an Oregon Adventurecation and for special travel deals, check out “Adventurecation.”
