Everyone is concerned about the recent wildfires which ravaged parts of the Columbia River Gorge. We live about 30 miles from the Gorge. The fires are finally out due the return of the rainy season. On March 6th, 2018 we had a beautiful spring day here in the Northwest. I set about to see first hand where conditions stand in the Gorge. First stop was a climb to the top of 850' Beacon Rock on the Washington side directly across from the hardest hit areas. The photo below is from the summit of Beacon Rock, looking across the Columbia River at the hardest hit of the Oregon side. The normally lush green hills are gone for now.
I then crossed over to the Oregon side where the Historic Columbia River Highway was completely closed, as were all trails leading to the many waterfalls. I stopped at the trailhead for McCord Creek and Elowah Falls. Officials were placed there and throughout to ensure everyone abides by the ban. At Multnomah Falls the fire came within a few hundred feet of the lodge and viewing area. The lodge was open but the viewing area was closed off. The immediate trees were spared but outside the immediate area, fire damage was severe. Forest Service personnel said crews were hard at work to make the area safe but it may be into 2019 before the trails open again. The viewing area at Multnomah Falls is open. Almost all other trails on the Oregon side remain closed.
I then crossed over to the Oregon side where the Historic Columbia River Highway was completely closed, as were all trails leading to the many waterfalls. I stopped at the trailhead for McCord Creek and Elowah Falls. Officials were placed there and throughout to ensure everyone abides by the ban. At Multnomah Falls the fire came within a few hundred feet of the lodge and viewing area. The lodge was open but the viewing area was closed off. The immediate trees were spared but outside the immediate area, fire damage was severe. Forest Service personnel said crews were hard at work to make the area safe but it may be into 2019 before the trails open again. The viewing area at Multnomah Falls is open. Almost all other trails on the Oregon side remain closed.
2018 was a return to Kauai. A highlight in 2018 was a helicopter trip on which I caught two nice photos of the North Coast. Few images were added as weather was not optimum. In April 50" of rain fell on the North Coast in one day causing severe flooding and major damage. Portions of the North Coast are still restricted to the public as of Spring, 2019.
In Summer of 2018 I made two short trips to Mt. Rainier during what should be peak wildflower season. The display of flowers was very disappointing...… an off year. None the less, other views of Rainier were spectacular. I have added a separate galery for the "WASHINGTON CASCADES".
In April, 2018, we joined a group to Japan to view the Cherry blossoms. We arrived just as the trees came into blossom. People by the thousands come out to view and picnic in the many parks under the cherry trees.
2018 was a return to Kauai. A highlight in 2018 was a helicopter trip on which I caught two nice photos of the North Coast. Few images were added as weather was not optimum. In April 50" of rain fell on the North Coast in one day causing severe flooding and major damage. Portions of the North Coast are still restricted to the public as of Spring, 2019.
In Summer of 2018 I made two short trips to Mt. Rainier during what should be peak wildflower season. The display of flowers was very disappointing...… an off year. None the less, other views of Rainier were spectacular. I have added a separate galery for the "WASHINGTON CASCADES".
In April, 2018, we joined a group to Japan to view the Cherry blossoms. We arrived just as the trees came into blossom. People by the thousands come out to view and picnic in the many parks under the cherry trees.
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In early 2019, a few trips to the Oregon Coast gave new images. Then in June a 2000 mile swing through Eastern Oregon's "Outback" covered Hell's Canyon's Hat Point; Succor Creek; Leslie Gulch; the Pillars of Rome; Fort Rock; and return to Smith Rocks. I will slowly be adding images from this trip to the website.