Mt. Rainier to Mt. Hood Bike Tour

Ride alongside a river through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest along a little-used country road heading toward Mt. St. Helens. Approach from the northeast, cycling straight into the route that the exploding gases and ash took during the eruption of May 18, 1980. At first the evergreen forest looks normal, but then we notice pebbles of white pumice on the forest floor. Going further, we see that some trees have lost branches. Then standing dead trees appear, then trees that were knocked down by the blast. They lie like spilled toothpicks on the hillside, their trunks all neatly pointing to the still smoldering crater. Devastation seems complete until we crest a ridge and view the ultimate — no trees. Here the hot volcanic gases blasting at over 500 miles per hour not only knocked everything down, but literally blew it all away. From a vista overlooking log-filled Spirit Lake, a park ranger tells us the incredible story of the explosion, the current buildup of a cinder cone in the volcano’s crater, the dramatic increase in volcanic activity since September 2004, the amazing reemergence of life in the 1980 blast zone, and the possibility of a future eruption. Awesome! From Mt. St. Helens we van to  Skamania Lodge – the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area’s signature resort on the Washington side of the river.

Waterfalls and taking it easy are the name of the game today. The Columbia Gorge has some of the finest waterfalls in the world! Enjoy a leisurely departure time from Skamania Lodge today – in case you want to enjoy the Gorge Interpretive Center, do some ziplining or hit some golf balls. If not, you can pedal out early and spend more time viewing magnificent waterfalls. The cycling is more leisurely today as well, giving you a chance to recover from yesterday and a chance to rest up for a big climb tomorrow to Mt. Hood. Pedal a network of bike paths that takes you past world-famous Multnomah Falls and a multitude of others. Arrive in Hood River early enough to enjoy this mecca of brew pubs in a town renowned for windsurfing and outdoor recreation. Watch the sails on the water or go for a swim in the river. Stay at the Hampton Inn – Hood River.

Enjoy a lovely, long, and well-earned cruise down the flanks of Mt. Hood all the way to … Boring, Oregon. Yes, that’s the town name, but it’s far from as dull as it sounds. After all, here we will stop and say hello to sasquatch (if you didn’t already on the tour) at the North American Bigfoot Center. Finish with lunch at one of the delicious food trucks for which the Portland-area has become justifiably famous before returning to your hotel. You are welcome to skip (and van shuttle) the highway portion of the descent today if you prefer.

*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.