Things to See - Natural (Portland, Bend: art, land, snow)

[Larry Caldwell]

I have been living in Oregon for 60 years now, and thought I would make a list of natural wonders that are really worth seeing:

1. Crater Lake. Top of the list. Oregon's only National Park. If you cross-country ski, that's about the only way you will see most of it in the winter. Rarely crowded in the summer. A treat.

2. Multnomah Falls. Just east of Portland in the mouth of the Columbia Gorge.

3. The Columbia Gorge. Just keep heading east from Multnomah Falls. Part of the old highway has been restored, and much is available for hiking and biking.

4. The Oregon Coast - wear walking shoes
a. Oswald West State Park
- Cape Falcon
- Short Sands Beach
- Neahkahnie Mountain
b. Netarts Bay - bring a clam gun, crab pots and fishing pole
c. Cape Kiwanda - what there is left of it. It's sandstone, and a lot
smaller than it was when I was a child
d. The D river.
e. The Siletz river loop.
f. Cape Perpetua
g. Sea Lion Caves
h. Humbug Mountain

5. The Redwood Highway (199)

6. The Oregon Caves National Monument.

7. McKenzie Pass (open only in summer)

8. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

9. Hells Canyon from the overlook.

10. The Rogue River, Mail Boat cruise from Gold Beach or Hellgate tour from Grants Pass, or just float it and fish it. Great salmon runs.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

I have been living in Oregon for 60 years now, and thought I would make a list of natural wonders that are really worth seeing:

11. Steens Mountain & Vicinity: a hidden jewel rarely seen even by Oregonians.

Steens Mountain in Oregon, U.S.A.
Steens Mountain National Byway - Oregon Scenic Drives | GORP
Harney County Chamber of Commerce - Burns, Oregon - Steens Mountain

[Imperial1904]

1.) Crater Lake.

2.) The coast which offers probably the most scenic route in Oregon and the Dunes.

That's about it. Driving through Oregon is pretty nice also seeing all the trees and mountains.

[seashelly]

12. Hiking and exploring the lava fields - Sisters, Oregon.

13. Visiting the sunstone mines and collection sites - Plush, Oregon.

[Waterlily]

Mt. Hood for skiing and snowboarding in winter. Hood River for wind surfingand views of the gorge.
Am not sure if that qualifies as natural stuff.

[sunnymom]

I'd like to add Paulina Lake near Bend, but closer to La Pine.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by karlsch

11. Steens Mountain & Vicinity: a hidden jewel rarely seen even by Oregonians.

Steens Mountain in Oregon, U.S.A.
Steens Mountain National Byway - Oregon Scenic Drives | GORP
Harney County Chamber of Commerce - Burns, Oregon - Steens Mountain

In the paper today was a notice that the Steens Mountain Loop is now open. It's the state's highest mountain road, winding all the way to the 10,000 foot summit of Steens Mountain.

"Motorists should drive with caution and avoid muddy side roads."

[mdvaden]

Seems to me, that Eagle Creek trail, in it's entirety, is as good as Multnomah Falls.

Glad to see Mt. Hood mentioned. In fact, "Mt. Hood National Forest" might be a better way to classify it as an Oregon wonder.

I think you are onto a good idea. Do you have a website for developing that kind of thing?

Last year, I started making a page on a northern Oregon tour for what people could see if they only had 3 to 5 days to visit in Oregon.

What you suggested, could be divided into quadrants or regions.