The Oregon trail

[Alex]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Finally; I must second Alex on the old hwy over the intersate for trips up the Gorge. Hiking up the Onteonta, however, is best done in July.

Only if you like hiking up a canyon on the shoulders of a million other people when the water is so low that it really isn't all that interesting to see.

April is about the best time to do it because the water is high making it both a challenge to stay dry and suffiiciently traumatic if you fail to do so. Plus there aren't many people there.

Of course, I once swam in the bowl below the waterfall in February, so my tolerance for that is high. Winter is the absolute best time for the gorge in my opinion and spring is a decent compromise. Summer or fall and you should just go somewhere else.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Only if you like hiking up a canyon on the shoulders of a million other people when the water is so low that it really isn't all that interesting to see.

April is about the best time to do it because the water is high making it both a challenge to stay dry and suffiiciently traumatic if you fail to do so. Plus there aren't many people there.

Of course, I once swam in the bowl below the waterfall in February, so my tolerance for that is high. Winter is the absolute best time for the gorge in my opinion and spring is a decent compromise. Summer or fall and you should just go somewhere else.

Wow....I'd never dream of doing that hike any time before June...of course I am a fair weather hiker if you will.

You have my awe and admiration for not only hiking that in February; but swimming in the icy cold water beneath the falls.

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

April is about the best time to do it because the water is high making it both a challenge to stay dry and suffiiciently traumatic if you fail to do so. Plus there aren't many people there.

Lol. All this hiking and stuff sounds fantastically adventurous. I, however, will be traveling with a just barely four year old and a one year old, so adventures in icy cold water will have to wait.

I think that we are now going to do Monday-Thursday in Portland (with one of those days on the coast), Friday through Monday with conference stuff, Tuesday flying home (or at the Kennedy School if our flight is late enough). I definitely want to do the Portland zoo. I want to try and find a good Indi band playing during the week that I can sneak off and see.

I'm a little intimidated by the weather. The high for when we're going is mid 60's. That's dead of winter here practically. I hope I can find warm clothes on sale then.

For a Portland hotel we might try our luck with Priceline for the downtown area. I want to make sure it's close to public transportation.

[Alex]

Well, you don't have to do the Onteonta Gorge hike but the drive up the Gorge with easy roadside stops at several impressive waterfalls is something the four year will likely enjoy (if he is good about sitting in the car to get places).

Persistent rain is likely in April so be prepared for that.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by tracilicious

For a Portland hotel we might try our luck with Priceline for the downtown area. I want to make sure it's close to public transportation.

Not to worry. If you are staying Anywhere in Downtown Portland you would be hard pressed to find a hotel that is not within 2 blocks of a bus/trolly/lightrail line.