Hood River Waterfront Hike

Overview

West of the Hood River’s confluence with the Columbia River, a new set of paths and artificial beaches has been emerging in the 21st century, converting a rather dingy industrial area into the Gorge’s premier water play spot. On any fair weather day, and there are many such water enthusiasts, including kayakers, windsurfers, kiteboarders, kite hydrofoilers, and paddle boarders. In summer, they are joined by legions of sunbathers and swimmers. The centerpiece of the action is The Spit, a 0.4 mile long sandbar created by a Hood River debris flow in 2006. The newer western trails connect with older paths east of the Hood River that allow you a sustained outing exploring Hood River’s entire waterfront. First, walk out to the grassy area. The beach below is a windsurfing launch site which kiteboarders can also use during times of high water when The Spit is inundated. Pick up the paved path leading west past a warehouse and come to Hood River’s Waterfront Park. There are restrooms, a play area, a climber’s boulder, and a picnic area in the park. An artificial beach has a cordoned off swimming area. Across the Columbia, you can see the mouth of the White Salmon River, and the three humps of Underwood Mountain. The path begins to parallel a gravel road as you walk out on the breakwater of The Hook. From here, you can see Mount Adams peeking up to the north. Where The Hook turns 90 degrees, there’s a launch ramp for kayaks and canoes. The breakwater encloses Waucoma Basin, which usually has a few cormorants and buffleheads floating about. From the end of The Hook, you can get a river–level view west to Cook Hill and Dog Mountain. Return to the Event Site Trailhead, and turn south to walk above Nichols Boat Basin, passing a former dock with colorful picnic tables where the sternwheeler Columbia Gorge was built in the 1980s. The inlet is now a safe swimming haven and a good place for beginner kayaking practice. A fenced overlook displays a metal sculpture, Big River Woman. You turn east below a Sinclair gas station, w

Trail Stats

Photos

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