Posted by Phillip Noll on January 30, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Hi all!
My wife and I are planning a 3 week vacation to the PNW. Since we have never been that far NW (Crater Lake is as far NW as we have been not counting missing our plane once at Sea-Tac ), I thought I would solicit some advice from you guys (and gals).
We are planning on heading to the Columbia River Gorge about mid May and spending 2-3 days photographing various waterfalls (Metlako, Multnomah, Fairy, Latourell, Punchbowl, Elowah, etc.) and Vista House. Can anyone give us any advice on camping in this area? We would like to camp in one place for the 3 days and then drive to the various trail heads (they don't appear to be too far apart on the map). We will have either a tent or a small pop-up trailer. Also, do I need a Northwest Forest Pass? Where can I get one? Is the view of the Gorge from the Women's Forum overlook better at sunset or sunrise? Would I be able to hike up Oneonta Gorge in Mid May or will the water level be too high? Anything I should not miss while I am there?
After the CRG, we are planning a week in Olympic. Would appreciate any advice on camping, places to see/photograph, etc. Would like to spend some time at Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc, Hoh, Quinalt, Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Lake Crescent, etc.) Where else do recommend we go?
Then we are heading down to Silver Falls State Park for a couple days. Plan on hiking the 7 mile/10 waterfall loop trail. Would like to see Proxy Falls--I think its in the vicinity? Any other photo-op/camping recommendations in this area?
Thanks much for your suggestions. Can't wait to see some GREEN!
There used to be a couple of state parks on the Sandy River which would be handy for working the Gorge. There used to be a nice campground at Lake Ozette in Olympic National Park. I haven't visited these places in a number of years. Websites for the respective agencies have always been very responsive for me. You may be able to camp on the beach at Olympic National Park, but watch out for the raccoons.
The Proxy Falls that I know about is in the Sisters area of the Cascades. You are going to be near Mt Hood and Lost Lake. The Mountains can be nice in May, but there will still be a lot of snow pack in the high country, but you may want to look around. When in the Olympics, visit Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. Don't miss Eagle Creek Trail while in the Gorge. Stone Henge is across the river along with other oddities. Sounds like a lot of fun, except for the rain factor when you get into the Hoh area. There is a famed rain shadow near Sequim. There should be plenty of green and rainbows.
Posted by Greg Vaughn on January 31, 2008 at 1:01 AM
Phillip:
Mid-May is prime time for waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. There are several state parks on the Oregon side and one or two USFS campgrounds. Ainsworth State Park is close to Multnomah and Horsetail Falls. More than likely, you will get rain, so you'll probably be better off in the pop-up than just a tent. The state parks are nice as a base because they have hookups and hot showers. You will have freeway and railroad noise all night at any of the campgrounds in the Gorge, except perhaps Beacon Rock on the Washington side. You should check in advance to see which campgrounds will be open - many in the PNW are only open between about Memorial Day and Labor Day.
I'm guessing that the water will be too high at Oneonta in May, but you'll have plenty of places to go in 2-3 days. Most good photos at Women's Forum Park are late afternoon or sunset, but a great sunrise could work there, too.
Yes, you will need a NW Forest Pass, unless you have the annual Interagency Access Pass, which this year takes the place of the Golden Eagle pass with recreation area add-on. You can buy day passes at many trailheads. The visitor center at Multnomah Falls probably sells the annual pass, or stop at REI or Joes Sports & Outdoor in Portland.
For Olympic National Park, you have named all the top spots. There are good campgrounds at or very near all of those locations. There will probably still be snow at Hurricane Ridge.
There is a campground at Silver Falls State Park also. If you're planning on being there on a weekend, it would be a good idea to make a reservation in advance. It's a very popular place and there is an annual wildflower festival around Mothers Day. Google Oregon State Parks for info and to make reservations.
Proxy Falls is not too far, but you may not be able to get to it, at least without several miles of hiking. The Old McKenzie Pass Highway is not plowed and is generally closed from November to late June. There is a USFS Ranger Station just a few miles from the junction to that road where you can check on access.
Be prepared for rain - lots of it. If you haven't already, invest in Goretex and fleece.
Sounds like you have great trip planned. Have fun!
- Greg
www.GregVaughn.com
Posted by John Williams on January 31, 2008 at 1:27 AM
Greg covered a lot of what I had to contribute, but I'll add that in the gorge Dog Mountain can be great that time of year. Rowena Crest and the higher elevations of Dalles Mt. Road may still be blooming and can be well worth the visit.
Posted by Phillip Noll on February 1, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Thanks for the info!!
This will certainly help in our planning. Can't wait to get up there and do some shooting!
Posted by Tom Kloster on February 16, 2008 at 2:44 PM
You'll be here at a really nice time, Phillip - but we're having a substantial snow year, so not only will the McKenzie Highway be closed, but you're also likely to run into snow drifts above about 4,000 at that time of year, possibly lower, given the forecast for cool, rainy weather this Spring. So your generally low-elevation itinerary is a good one! The Crown Point view is good for sunrises and late afternoon - can't really go wrong at that time of year. Silver Creek is also a good choice, but definitely mid-week in May. It will be swarming with photographers on weekends!
The only thing I'd add is the Oregon Coast - only 2 hours west of I-5, and generally more accessible than the Washington Coast, since US 101 sticks pretty close to the surf in Oregon. On that note, Oregon State Parks are excellent for long trips - many have showers and yurts for rent, so you can keep your tent dry during monsoons. A couple of coastal parks also have little cabins to rent. You can make reservations online, and they fill up on weekends and holidays, of course.
Discussion
5 repliesMy wife and I are planning a 3 week vacation to the PNW. Since we have never been that far NW (Crater Lake is as far NW as we have been not counting missing our plane once at Sea-Tac
We are planning on heading to the Columbia River Gorge about mid May and spending 2-3 days photographing various waterfalls (Metlako, Multnomah, Fairy, Latourell, Punchbowl, Elowah, etc.) and Vista House. Can anyone give us any advice on camping in this area? We would like to camp in one place for the 3 days and then drive to the various trail heads (they don't appear to be too far apart on the map). We will have either a tent or a small pop-up trailer. Also, do I need a Northwest Forest Pass? Where can I get one? Is the view of the Gorge from the Women's Forum overlook better at sunset or sunrise? Would I be able to hike up Oneonta Gorge in Mid May or will the water level be too high? Anything I should not miss while I am there?
After the CRG, we are planning a week in Olympic. Would appreciate any advice on camping, places to see/photograph, etc. Would like to spend some time at Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc, Hoh, Quinalt, Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Lake Crescent, etc.) Where else do recommend we go?
Then we are heading down to Silver Falls State Park for a couple days. Plan on hiking the 7 mile/10 waterfall loop trail. Would like to see Proxy Falls--I think its in the vicinity? Any other photo-op/camping recommendations in this area?
Thanks much for your suggestions. Can't wait to see some GREEN!
The Proxy Falls that I know about is in the Sisters area of the Cascades. You are going to be near Mt Hood and Lost Lake. The Mountains can be nice in May, but there will still be a lot of snow pack in the high country, but you may want to look around. When in the Olympics, visit Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. Don't miss Eagle Creek Trail while in the Gorge. Stone Henge is across the river along with other oddities. Sounds like a lot of fun, except for the rain factor when you get into the Hoh area. There is a famed rain shadow near Sequim. There should be plenty of green and rainbows.
Mid-May is prime time for waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. There are several state parks on the Oregon side and one or two USFS campgrounds. Ainsworth State Park is close to Multnomah and Horsetail Falls. More than likely, you will get rain, so you'll probably be better off in the pop-up than just a tent. The state parks are nice as a base because they have hookups and hot showers. You will have freeway and railroad noise all night at any of the campgrounds in the Gorge, except perhaps Beacon Rock on the Washington side. You should check in advance to see which campgrounds will be open - many in the PNW are only open between about Memorial Day and Labor Day.
I'm guessing that the water will be too high at Oneonta in May, but you'll have plenty of places to go in 2-3 days. Most good photos at Women's Forum Park are late afternoon or sunset, but a great sunrise could work there, too.
Yes, you will need a NW Forest Pass, unless you have the annual Interagency Access Pass, which this year takes the place of the Golden Eagle pass with recreation area add-on. You can buy day passes at many trailheads. The visitor center at Multnomah Falls probably sells the annual pass, or stop at REI or Joes Sports & Outdoor in Portland.
For Olympic National Park, you have named all the top spots. There are good campgrounds at or very near all of those locations. There will probably still be snow at Hurricane Ridge.
There is a campground at Silver Falls State Park also. If you're planning on being there on a weekend, it would be a good idea to make a reservation in advance. It's a very popular place and there is an annual wildflower festival around Mothers Day. Google Oregon State Parks for info and to make reservations.
Proxy Falls is not too far, but you may not be able to get to it, at least without several miles of hiking. The Old McKenzie Pass Highway is not plowed and is generally closed from November to late June. There is a USFS Ranger Station just a few miles from the junction to that road where you can check on access.
Be prepared for rain - lots of it. If you haven't already, invest in Goretex and fleece.
Sounds like you have great trip planned. Have fun!
- Greg
www.GregVaughn.com
This will certainly help in our planning. Can't wait to get up there and do some shooting!
The only thing I'd add is the Oregon Coast - only 2 hours west of I-5, and generally more accessible than the Washington Coast, since US 101 sticks pretty close to the surf in Oregon. On that note, Oregon State Parks are excellent for long trips - many have showers and yurts for rent, so you can keep your tent dry during monsoons. A couple of coastal parks also have little cabins to rent. You can make reservations online, and they fill up on weekends and holidays, of course.