GORGEOUS HOOD TO HOOD RELAY - COURSE INFO
The Gorgeous Hood To Hood Relay begins at Timberline Lodge on the southern flank of Mt. Hood, and will take teams 54 miles north and east towards Hood River, taking in the Gorgeous beauty of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and the beautiful orchards of the Fruit Loop. Runners will wind their way to Hood River to finish along the Columbia River at Hood River's Ferment Brewing Co.
*And, for all you Clipboard Captains - a Leg Chart with pace calculator
Gorgeous Hood to Hood Relay takes place on land ceded to the US Government by tribes of the Columbia Basin. This is the homeland of tribes that have been here for many millennia, and continue to maintain connections to this place. The Walla Walla and Wasco tribes lived along the Columbia River north and east of Wy’East, now known as Mt. Hood. They relinquished approximately ten million acres of land, but reserved the Warm Springs Reservation for their exclusive use. This reservation now borders much of southeastern Mt. Hood National Forest.
START
LEG 1 (5.5 miles) - Timberline Lodge to Government Camp Loop
The Historic Columbia River Highway's eastern end was in The Dalles, which is where your virtual journey begins. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The area includes one of the oldest continuously occupied areas in North America (over 11,000 years), immediate proximity to one of the largest rivers on the continent, and access to the Lewis and Clark and Oregon Trails.
The Historic Columbia River Highway's eastern end was in The Dalles, which is where your virtual journey begins. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The area includes one of the oldest continuously occupied areas in North America (over 11,000 years), immediate proximity to one of the largest rivers on the continent, and access to the Lewis and Clark and Oregon Trails.
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LEG 2 (6.53 miles) - Govy to White River West Sno Park
Rowena Crest viewpoint is at a hairpin loop in the Historic Highway. From here you have views up and down the gorge. Two hikes start here, exploring the Tom McCall Nature Preserve - permanently preserved by the Nature Conservancy. The road there from the west is lined with orchards and to the east, it makes a spectacular snaky descent down the Rowena Loops (a route featured in several car commercials). |
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LEG 3 (4.10 miles) - White River to Teacup Nordic Snow Park
This was Leg 1 in 2018 - the year after the Eagle Creek fire. A few sections of the course weren't open yet in 2018, but we overcame and had a blast. This leg is primarily on the great Twin Tunnels Trail. It starts in the semi-arid climate of Mosier, dotted with Ponderosa Pine, and ends in a forest of fir trees in Hood River.
This was Leg 1 in 2018 - the year after the Eagle Creek fire. A few sections of the course weren't open yet in 2018, but we overcame and had a blast. This leg is primarily on the great Twin Tunnels Trail. It starts in the semi-arid climate of Mosier, dotted with Ponderosa Pine, and ends in a forest of fir trees in Hood River.
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LEG 4 (4.85 miles) - Teacup to Little John Sno Park
Only five miles of the original 73 miles of the Historic Columbia River Highway are left to reconnect. Just west of the City of Hood River, this section of the Historic Highway has world-class views of the Columbia River Gorge. This 1.6-mile segment of the Historic Highway State Trail includes Ruthton Point, a beautiful piece of land overlooking the Columbia River. The section still needs funding. Until it is done, we'll run it virtually! |
Building Lindsey Creek to Viento TH section
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LEG 5 (3.7 miles) - Little John to Cooper Spur Rd.
This is a magical section of the Trail - in that none of it exists yet. It includes Mitchell Point (actually a mountain). The iconic Mitchell Point Tunnel was a highlight of the original Historic Columbia River Highway, but the construction of Interstate 84 destroyed the tunnel. Now, plans are underway to construct a new tunnel in its place, starting as soon as 2021. The current plans show a 655-foot tunnel with five arched windows. The final section 2.6 miles, from Mitchell Point to Viento, will cross Perham and Mitchell Creeks with two elegant bridge structures and carving trail into rock cliffs.
This is a magical section of the Trail - in that none of it exists yet. It includes Mitchell Point (actually a mountain). The iconic Mitchell Point Tunnel was a highlight of the original Historic Columbia River Highway, but the construction of Interstate 84 destroyed the tunnel. Now, plans are underway to construct a new tunnel in its place, starting as soon as 2021. The current plans show a 655-foot tunnel with five arched windows. The final section 2.6 miles, from Mitchell Point to Viento, will cross Perham and Mitchell Creeks with two elegant bridge structures and carving trail into rock cliffs.
LEG 6 (2.38 miles) - Cooper Spur Rd. to Cooper Spur Resort
This was Leg 1 of the 2019 Gorgeous Relay. From here you run the newest section of the Historic State Trail. As of August, 2020, this section is open and quite runnable. You'll want to have a mask with you on nice weekend days, as this section sees plenty of families and casual and serious bicyclists.
This was Leg 1 of the 2019 Gorgeous Relay. From here you run the newest section of the Historic State Trail. As of August, 2020, this section is open and quite runnable. You'll want to have a mask with you on nice weekend days, as this section sees plenty of families and casual and serious bicyclists.
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LEG 7 (5.18 miles) - Cooper Spur Resort to Evans Creek Drive
The very first Gorgeous Relay in 2013 started where Wyeth Rd. abruptly dead-ended into the forest. This area is now the west end of the newest section of State Trail.
The very first Gorgeous Relay in 2013 started where Wyeth Rd. abruptly dead-ended into the forest. This area is now the west end of the newest section of State Trail.
LEG 8 (4.23 miles) - Evans Creek Dr. to Toll Bridge Park
Thunder Island Brewing is building a NEW brewery and restaurant in Cascade Locks!
Ever wonder where Thunder Island Brewing Company got its name? Thunder Island is a small island located near the fishing dock in Cascade Locks. It was carved out of the mainland in 1890 to build the Cascade Locks and Canal. Thunder Island was named after the thunderous sound the rapids made passing through the Locks. The Locks no longer exist, but the island is used by visitors for walking, picnicking, photography, and special events.
Thunder Island Brewing is building a NEW brewery and restaurant in Cascade Locks!
Ever wonder where Thunder Island Brewing Company got its name? Thunder Island is a small island located near the fishing dock in Cascade Locks. It was carved out of the mainland in 1890 to build the Cascade Locks and Canal. Thunder Island was named after the thunderous sound the rapids made passing through the Locks. The Locks no longer exist, but the island is used by visitors for walking, picnicking, photography, and special events.
LEG 9 (3.17 miles) - Toll Bridge Park to Valley Worship Center
As of July 30, the Historic Columbia River Highway is closed from Ainsworth to Larch Mountain Rd. and Tooth Rock to Yeon. Our go to source for knowing what is open for hiking and visiting in the Gorge is Ready Set GOrge.
LEG 10 (3.83 miles) - Valley Worship Center to Packer Bakery parking
LEG 11 (4.37 miles) - Packer Bakery to Pine Grove School
LEG 12 (5.92 miles) - Pine Grove School to Ferment Brewing
FINISH!
