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Gorgeous virtual Relay - course info
We've assigned the length of each leg based on our dream Gorgeous Relay course. Gorgeous Relay was designed to follow the Historic Columbia River Highway through the gorge, but we've never been able to stay true to the whole path because - freeway. Well now we can! As you decide where you are going to run your legs, we hope to provide some inspiration by sharing the history, the views, grandeur of the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge.
Leg Summary
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Leg 1: 6.3 mi
Leg 2: 6.3 mi Leg 3: 5.3 mi Leg 4: 3.9 mi Leg 5: 5.8 mi Leg 6: 5.5 mi |
Leg 7: 6.8 mi
Leg 8: 3.8 mi Leg 9: 6.2 mi Leg 10: 4.5 mi Leg 11: 3.4 mi Leg 12: 4.4 mi Total: 62.2 miles
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Each leg corresponds to a leg on our dream Gorgeous Relay course. See legs below for the real life place it is representing. |
*And, for all you Clipboard Captains - a Leg Chart with pace calculator
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Gorgeous 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 Chinook Indian Nation, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Yakama Nation, The Wanapum, and the Nez Perce Tribe.
We're indebted to the Confluence Project for sharing this information. |
Celilo Falls
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The assigned leg lengths are based on these real life places, most of which have part of the Gorgeous Relay for years, and others that are still a twinkle in our eye...
START
LEG 1 (6.3 miles) - Columbia Gorge Discovery Center to Rowena Crest
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 (6.3 miles) - Rowena Crest to Mosier
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 (5.3 miles) - Mosier to Mark O. Hatfield West trailhead
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 (3.9 miles) - Mark O. Hatfield West to Rutherton Point (west end of Hood River)
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 (5.8 miles) - Rutherton Point to Viento trailhead
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 (5.5 miles) - Viento TH to Wyeth Trailhead
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 (6.8 miles) - Wyeth TH to Thunder Island Brewing
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 (3.8 miles) - Thunder Island Brewing to Tooth Rock
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 (6.2 miles) - Tooth Rock to Ainsworth State Park
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 (4.5 miles) - Ainsworth SP to Wahkeena Falls
LEG 11 (3.4 miles) - Wahkeena Falls to Bridal Veil State Park
LEG 12 (4.4 miles) - Bridal Veil SP to Vista House
FINISH!
