Ski at Mt. Hood

photo by: Terry Richard/The Oregonian

Some Ski Resorts do not have enough snow to operate their ski lifts, so where can you go to get some snow? Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline Lodge have enough snow to operate their ski lifts, so come get some of the fun on the mountain. Read more details below.

Oregon’s winter sports season is dealing with a paltry supply of snow this Christmas holiday, but the state’s four highest-elevation resorts are open and have some good skiing. Resorts operating ski lifts in Oregon are Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, Mt. Bachelor in central Oregon and Anthony Lakes in northeastern Oregon. Hoodoo, Willamette Pass and Mt. Ashland don’t have enough snow to open ski lifts. Mt. Hood Skibowl is limited to operating its tubing park and a beginner rope tows by using snow it makes.

SRC: http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2013/12/mt_hood_meadows_keeps_skiers_h.html

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Memaloose Eagle Outing

Photo by Adam Lapierre.

Check out this Gorge Community Foundation Benefit, with eagle expert Tim Pitz. There will be periodic bird walks, wine tasting, and fine cheeses. Read more about this event below.

This benefit for Gorge Community Foundation happens Jan. 1, 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memaloose Tasting Room, Highway 14, Lyle, Wash. Visiting eagle expert Tim Pitz will be on hand and there will spotting scopes to look for birds. A $10 donation is requested. For details call 360-635-2887.

SRC: http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2013/dec/28/bird-count-guided-hikes-eagle-watching-join-new-ye/

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New Year's Eve Music Events

Looking for a good time for New Year's Eve? Check out Troutdale's Edgefield for some entertainment, beer and wine. Details listed below.

New Year’s Eve at Edgefield: Music by Sassparilla and Will West & the Friendly Strangers. 9 p.m. Tue, Dec. 31. McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale; free; www.mcmenamins.com or 503-669-8610

SRC: http://www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2013/12/new_years_eve_music_events_som.html

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Sasquatch Revealed

Interested in Sasquatch? The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center will be full of Big Foot enthusiusts, Saturday December 28th 2013. Dinner sold out but the exhibit will be on display through Febuary 23rd 2014. Read more about this event below.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center presents “Sasquatch Revealed,” a new exhibit opening Saturday, Dec. 28. An evening dinner presentation is sold out, but an afternoon presentation at 3 p.m. has been added to the schedule for those who still wish to hear Dr. Jeff Meldrum, Chris Murphy and Thomas Steenburg. Cost is $15 for non-members, and $10 for members. Space is limited. 

This exhibit draws from all the available scientific research and evidence compiled to date on the hominoid known as Sasquatch, or Bigfoot. The display, curated by Christopher Murphy of Vancouver, British Columbia, will be at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center through Feb. 23. Explore audio segments, view a gallery of footprint and handprint casts, reports of sightings in Wasco County and United States, newspaper reports, comparative skulls, and artist renditions.

SRC:http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2013/dec/26/sasquatch-revealed-opens-dec-28/

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First Day Hikes offered on New Year’s Day

How do you spend your New Year's Day? If you enjoy hiking you may want to take adantage of a free guided tour in your area. This year will include Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail in Mosier. Read more about these guided tours below.

For the third year in a row, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is partnering with America’s State Parks to offer free guided First Day Hikes in state parks across Oregon on New Year’s Day.#Eastern Columbia Gorge hikes include one at Cottonwood Canyon State Park in Sherman County and another at the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail in Mosier.
Take in views of the Columbia River Gorge and learn about its history and geology. Look for eagles, osprey, hawks and deer. Be prepared for possible icy conditions.#The hike is from 10:30 a.m. to noon starting at the Mark O. Hatfield East Trailhead on Rock Creek Road in Mosier. Terrain is a paved, relatively flat surface with a 500-foot elevation change over two miles.

SRC: http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2013/dec/20/first-day-hikes-offered-new-years-day/

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Thunder Island Brewing Company

Thunder Island Brewing Company recently opened their doors in the city of Cascade Locks. The brewery is located in an old port building in picturesque Marine Park. There are a number of large picnic tables outside, with an unobstructed view of the Columbia River, the Cascade Locks, the Bridge of the Gods, and Washington State on the opposite bank.

To me, Thunder Island Brewing Company represents what craft brewing is all about: People with a passion for fine beer, learning the craft and then sharing the awesome results with their neighbors. It's fun and exciting to see these folks getting their brewery off the ground and their doors open.

 SRC: Beer Guy PDX

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Columbia River Gorge - Crown Jewel

Columbia River Gorge - Crown Jewel 

Trip Report:
Ice climbing conditions on Sunday were pretty much as good as it gets in the Columbia River Gorge. We got to the Rooster Rock pullout at about 8:30 a.m. By the time we made it to the base of the route there were already two parties of two ahead of us. One additional party of three was also in line ahead of us and were discussing setting up a TR on the first pitch. Thankfully they talked themselves out of it and went elsewhere.

SRC: CascadeClimbers.com

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Detour in place for visiting Multnomah Falls, icy conditions on Columbia River Gorge Trails

Icy conditions have made trails dangerous at Multnomah Falls and other Columbia River Gorge area hikes. This picture was taken a few years ago but shows ice on Multnomah Falls. / Photo by Chris Daley

If you’re planning on visiting Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge, you are advised to use a short detour. Because of flooding of Multnomah Creek, there is ice in the pedestrian tunnel from the parking lot on Interstate 84, according to officials with the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.

Instead, they advise getting to the falls from the Historic Columbia River Highway 30.

SRC: http://www.statesmanjournal.com

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