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Oregon

The Faces of Oregon: Mt. Hood, Columbia River Gorge & Astoria

Program No. 1834RJ
From awe-inspiring waterfalls to towering Mount Hood, from ancient forests to food-trendy Portland, explore the many wonders of Oregon on this great Northwestern adventure.

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At a Glance

On four daylong field trips, discover the natural beauty and human history that make Oregon a state of wonder. Take in city highlights like the International Rose Test Garden, then explore the natural wonders outside the city, from the rugged Pacific Coast to the dramatic Columbia River Gorge to the volcanic Cascade Mountains. Each journey is accented by interesting, interactive activities, including a tasting of the Columbia Gorge's award-winning wines.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 1.5 miles on varied terrain. Elevations up to 6,000 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Gaze up at towering Mount Hood from majestic Timberline Lodge, one of the iconic great lodges of the West.
  • Stand in awe of the Columbia River Gorge’s magnificent waterfalls and captivating vistas.
  • Visit the rugged Oregon Coast, including the mouth of the Columbia River known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific” and the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Peter Chausse
A retired elementary and middle school teacher, Peter is a passionate local historian in Portland, Oregon. Peter currently works as an instructor of experiential Continuing Education courses through The Heritage Institute, a branch of Antioch University. In addition, Peter has operated a small walking excursion business in Portland for more than 20 years. He enjoys leading field trips for school groups and walks for Road Scholar programs, during which he shares his knowledge of local art, architecture and natural history.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Peter Chausse
Peter Chausse View biography
A retired elementary and middle school teacher, Peter is a passionate local historian in Portland, Oregon. Peter currently works as an instructor of experiential Continuing Education courses through The Heritage Institute, a branch of Antioch University. In addition, Peter has operated a small walking excursion business in Portland for more than 20 years. He enjoys leading field trips for school groups and walks for Road Scholar programs, during which he shares his knowledge of local art, architecture and natural history.
Profile Image of John Jarvie
John Jarvie View biography
John Jarvie is a history teacher at several colleges in the area with Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. as his main campus. He has been working for the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center for over a decade, giving information to visitors about state and regional points of interest, local history and the Oregon Trail.
Profile Image of Vince Patton
Vince Patton View biography
Vince Patton is a 35-year veteran of television journalism, winning 10 Emmy Awards and 3 dozen other regional and national honors. He spent the last 8 years of his broadcast career in public television in his dream job, traveling all round this region telling stories about nature, science and wildlife. Now, in his retirement, Vince is the president of the largest genealogy library in the Pacific Northwest.
Profile Image of Suzanne Burd
Suzanne Burd View biography
Suze recently retired from Columbia Gorge Community College after serving as a Community Education Coordinator and the Renewable Energy Technology Program Coordinator for 25 years. She has worked on Road Scholar programs in the Mid-Columbia region since 1996, covering topics such as wildflowers and the geology of the Columbia Gorge, skiing and the history of Timberline Lodge, the production and harvest of the Columbia Gorge’s diverse crops, the botany and geology of the John Day River Basin, and the Lewis and Clark expedition.
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