Best Route for Photo Ops between Oregon's North Coast and Portland (Page 2): I love the Historic Columbia River Highway--have photographed it many times--but I think many parts are...

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

ngrea wrote:

If you are not locked into going west, you might t... (show quote)

I love the Historic Columbia River Highway--have photographed it many times--but I think many parts are still closed in the aftermath of the Eagle Creek fire. There is a history of the flooding of the river and pictures of the Natives fishing off platforms at the Maryhill Museum on the WA side of the Columbia that I really enjoyed several years back. I think my travel partner is mostly interested in staying on the coast, though, since he was with me on my last trip along the Columbia River.

As they say, 'the only constant in life is change'. It must have been hard to witness the damming of the mighty Columbia River and the lifestyle changes it brought with it.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

billnikon wrote:

tripadvisor.com

Always!

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Not to be rude, however, you could go on line to find some wonderful descriptions of scenic routes that will offer you the best choices for what you are after... Here are but a few of the dozens available:

https://www.10best.com/interests/road-trip/road-trip-10-must-see-spots-along-the-oregon-coast/

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/scenic-drives/the-pacific-coast-scenic-byway/

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/scenic-drives/

dmeyer wrote:

Is anyone who is familiar with the various routes ... (show quote)

kayaker49

ngrea wrote:

If you are not locked into going west, you might t... (show quote)

The old highway is closed, but both sides of the river are beautiful.
To answer your question, I think hiway 6 is the more scenic, but can’go wrong with 26 either, or do a loop. Too many things to see in one trip.

BruceLR Loc: Shoreline (Seattle), WA

At Cannon Beach, try the Pig N Pancake restaurant for breakfast (if you can get in). Also, just north of Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park. Fabulous photo op of the coastline view of beach & rocks.

dmeyer wrote:

Is anyone who is familiar with the various routes ... (show quote)

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

xt2 wrote:

Not to be rude, however, you could go on line to find some wonderful descriptions of scenic routes that will offer you the best choices for what you are after... Here are but a few of the dozens available:

https://www.10best.com/interests/road-trip/road-trip-10-must-see-spots-along-the-oregon-coast/

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/scenic-drives/the-pacific-coast-scenic-byway/

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/scenic-drives/

Thank you for taking time to provide these links, xt2. For years, when I traveled with my husband and friends, I used 'traveloregon' extensively. It's an exceptionally well designed website in terms of being user friendly. It certainly hits the high spots and I think I've visited all that's offered. But those links usually assume visitors are looking for cultural and recreational attractions as well. My photographer buddy and I make trips now that are strictly photo ops. I have visited the northwest corner of Oregon only once, which is why I am not familiar with the best route out of Astoria in order to capture the most unique scenery on the return to Portland for the last day of our trip.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

kayaker49 wrote:

The old highway is closed, but both sides of the river are beautiful.
To answer your question, I think hiway 6 is the more scenic, but can’go wrong with 26 either, or do a loop. Too many things to see in one trip.

Thanks for the followup, kayaker--I'll do some homework on Hwy 6, as I am not familiar with it.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

BruceLR wrote:

At Cannon Beach, try the Pig N Pancake restaurant for breakfast (if you can get in). Also, just north of Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park. Fabulous photo op of the coastline view of beach & rocks.

It is, indeed, a beautiful overlook from Ecola SP--this is from a 2014 trip (Haystack in the upper right corner). Went down to the beach later as the sun was setting.We will definitely be going to Cannon Beach, so good to learn where the best breakfast is! There used to be a great lunch spot with the name 'Sue' in it but I can't find anything on it anymore...guess it's gone.

(Download)

btbg

ken patton wrote:

Hi, I agree except Camp 18 is on hwy 26. Camp 18 w... (show quote)

Sorry about that. It was a typo.

btbg

dmeyer wrote:

Jewell Meadows sounds interesting. Have you traveled Hwy. 202 all the way to Astoria? If so, is it closed in by forest or are there open rolling hills?

You suggested Camp 18 to me several years back for another trip and I went there--neat experience, quite interesting.

202 is mostly forest, but there are a couple of nice little streams and it opens up into meadow against a small river when you get near Astoria.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I came DOWN the coast from the Washington point to Portland. Camped along the coast wherever possible. The coastline is beautiful. I did a few waterfalls along the Columbia, then took off on old Rte. 30 when I found it was the old Oregon Trail. I stopped at all the wagon trail stops, following the ruts. It was a nice trip. But I have to admit I was surprised at how COLD I was. I finally drove inland until I was warm when I got out of the truck.

Leland22 Loc: Texas

If you like waterfalls-Silver Falls State Park-Excellent.

Kuzano

dmeyer wrote:

Is anyone who is familiar with the various routes ... (show quote)

Confusing to say the least, so many suggestions. So here is another.

Mcminville Or, a bit south and inland a bit...The Evergreen Air Museum. Housing the Spruce Goose. Front lit at night. I met the fellow in charge of moving it from SoCal to Oregon. This pic is the museum front lit at night. Notice under one wing, it dwarf's one of Chenaults P40 Flying Tigers. A number of the engineers who originally designed and built this big wooden behemoth were hired on the project to disassemble and reassemble the Spruce Goose in the move to Oregon.

(Download)

Keven Loc: Grandview, WA

If you want a beautiful drive and lots of photo opps then take Interstate 84 east from Portland to Hood River and be sure to stop at Multnomah Falls. At Hood River exit 84 and take Highway 34 south and it takes you around Mt Hood and connects to Highway 26 that takes you back to Portland. This makes a great day trip.

Keven

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

When you cross into WA, avoid the I-5 bridge like it is a nasty disease, because it is. It may take up to 2.5 hours to cross if you go I-5; I-205 is much better. Swimming would probably be faster than I-5. That crossing is the major choke point on the only N/S route in the area, and there is too much traffic on a highway that was built in the 1960s.