Clear Lake

Distance: 4.6 mile loop
Clear Lake provide the headwaters of the McKenzie River – Created 3,000 years ago as a result of the Sand Mountain eruption. Lava flows pinched the McKenzie River, damming the freezing water and forming Clear Lake. Scuba divers often submerge over 120 feet deep to find ancient, petrified trees, thousands of years old.

From Portland, take I-5 south until reaching the city limits of Salem. From the Salem area take HWY 22 (exit 253) east towards Detroit Lake. Follow HWY 22 past Detroit as it bends south and connects with HWY 20/126. Stay south, following signs for Clear Lake.

View From Clear Lake Loop

Elowah and McCord Creek Falls

Distance: 3 miles out and back
In my opinion, Elowah Falls is one of the most underrated water falls in the gorge. Right up there with Wahcelella Falls. Reaching Elowah Falls is less than 1.5 mile round trip. Adding McCord Creek Falls to the itinerary will double your mileage.

Finding the trailhead is simple. Travel I-84 east from Portland and take exit 35, the first exit following Multnomah Falls. The parking lot also shares trailheads to Ainsworth State Park and Nesmith Point.

Water Tank at Trailhead

Cape Disappointment State Park

Distance: 3.1 miles total

Are you ready for a quick PNW history lesson?  In 1862, angst over the possibility of Confederate raiders and foreign fleets approaching the Columbia River from the North, the “Post at Cape Disappointment” was developed to add protection against such threats.  One year later, Fort Stevens was established to increase protection of the Columbia River.  The post was renamed to its current title, Fort Cape Disappointment, in 1984. To add confusion, the fort was renamed again in 1875 to Fort Canby.  Fort Stevens, Fort Canby, and Fort Columbia provided protection as the three fort Columbia River harbor defense through WWII. 

Predating these forts was the construction of Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in 1856. The original, and still functional lighthouse still stands today!  Interestingly enough, Cape D lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse on the west coast, following the Alcatraz lighthouse built a year earlier…

Point is - this area is worth exploring! Detailed below are three short hikes highlighting the history of Cape D. The first hike explores North Head Lighthouse and Beards Hollow. The second hike visits an artillery post called Battery 247. While the third hike explorers a much larger artillery post – Battery Harvey Allen and an up close look at Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.

North Head Lighthouse

Fort Columbia State Park

Distance: ~1 mile total

Fort Columbia was established in 1896 to provide defense for the mouth of the Columbia River, along with Fort Stevens and Fort Canby. Located on Chinook Point, the site covers a total of 593 acres and includes 12 original buildings constructed between 1896-1904. Most notably, the original army barracks. Several concrete bunkers still stand as well, with howitzers to boot.