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The spectacular beauty of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area's 220,000 acres
is consistently ranked among the nation's most beautiful scenic routes. The gorge is
carved through the volcanic basalt of the Cascade Mountain Range by the persistent
Columbia River, is best viewed from the Portland Women's Forum State Park or Crown Point.
The beauty of the gorge is accentuated by the waterfalls that gracefully cascade down the
slopes of Mount Hood to the Columbia River below. Waterfalls along the gorge highway
include Horsetail, Latourell, Bridal Veil and Multnomah Falls, which is Oregon's most
visited attraction. Most of the falls offer parking areas for travelers who want to picnic
or hike along the well-maintained trails.
Far below these mountain trails, the brightly colored sails of windsurfers are often
visible dotting the waters of the Columbia River. The gorge's natural wind-tunnel effect
has made this area one of the world's foremost windsurfing playgrounds.
For many years, the Gorge has been the focus of public attention because of its unique
natural
features, its offering of a variety of opportunities for public recreation and its
critical contribution to the economy. Recognizing this interest, Congress passed an act
creating the 292,000-acre Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It was signed into
law by President Reagan in 1986.
Below are some links that contain further information concerning the Columbia River
Gorge.
 What is to be at the Columbia
River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge Information Page
Map and Guide for the Columbia River Gorge
Photo archives of the
Gorge
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