Page 93 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

OREGON  91

OREGON

Oregonians and their visitors alike run out of adjectives
to describe the scenic wonders contained within the
97,000 sq miles (251,200 sq km) of the tenth largest US state.
Here, snowcapped mountains pierce the clouds, waves break
on rocky shores, rivers sprint through gorges, dense forests cling
to ravines, and desert vistas stretch beneath skies that, indeed,
are not cloudy all day.

A forest-cloaked headland, tidal estuary, desert country in the east. These
or stretch of isolated beach appears landscapes provide more than memorable
around every bend of the 363-mile views. Hiking trails lace the forests, and
(584-km) Oregon coastline. In the north, rushing white-water rivers, such as the
the mighty Columbia River flows through Rogue and Deschutes, brim with trout,
a magnificent gorge where waterfalls salmon, and sturgeon, attracting white-
plummet from cliffs. Those traveling water rafters and anglers. Lakes sparkle
alongside the river follow in the footsteps with crystal-clear water; the most
of explorers Lewis and Clark, who canoed awesome of them, Crater Lake, is the
the rushing waters in 1805. The Snake deepest in North America. And the slopes
River, a tributary of the Columbia River, of Mount Hood are covered with snow –
tumbles through inhospitable desert and skiers – all year.
at the bottom of 8,000-ft (2,440-m) Oregon serves up cosmopolitan
Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in pleasures, too. Portlanders are quick
North America. to claim their city as one of the most
Looking at such rugged landscapes, it is sophisticated and cultured anywhere.
easy to imagine the hardships hundreds But even out-of-the-way places, such
of thousands of pioneers encountered as as Ashland, of Shakespeare Festival
they migrated west along the Oregon Trail. fame, stage notable events.
Then, of course, there are the mountains – Wherever a traveler goes in Oregon,
the Coast range taking shape above or whatever they do, the glimmer
coastal headlands, the Cascades, peaks of a distant mountain peak and the
soaring above the central valleys, the scent of pine in the air will add an extra
Wallowas and Blues rising from high zest to the experience.

Cowboys in the sagebrush-dotted ranching settlement of Jordan Valley
Imnaha River carving its way through Canyon, Hells Canyon Recreation Area, Oregon

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