Five Epic Corbett Views You Don’t Want to Miss
Life is good. And life in Corbett, OR is exceptionally good. Immersed in the incredible beauty the great Pacific Northwest is known for, Corbett offers slow living with all the feels—and views. Located along the winding curves of the Historic Columbia River Highway, above the Columbia River, Corbett is surrounded by the views that draw people from all over the world to the Pacific Northwest. Residents enjoy their pick of small family farms growing organic produce, scenic hiking trails and year-round waterfalls, all while having easy access to big city life. But with all that Corbett has to offer it’s easy to leave big city life behind.
Yep, life is good in Corbett. While living here isn’t required to enjoy our favorite views, we won’t be surprised if you have a few questions about what life is like in our little corner of the world. For the already curious, here’s a little peek of a favorite family moments at Bridal Veil Falls Overlook Trail & Portland Women’s Forum. Sharing these views and places with our boys always fills my heart. I truly cannot imagine a more beautiful or inspiring place to live life on two wheels. Check out these other epic views to get a taste of the beauty that surrounds us and makes everyday anything but boring.
We’ll see you around. Cheers.
Latourell Falls
Don’t let the (lack of) crowds fool you: What Latourell Falls lacks in crowds, it more than makes up for in beauty. Some might even consider the relative seclusion a blessing. Located in Guy W. Talbot State Park (some call it Latourell State Park), Latourell Falls offers an accessible, family-friendly waterfall walk that’s sure to leave an impression. Visible nearly as soon as you arrive, the roar and spray from the 224 foot single plunge is right at your finger tips. See the falls from a new perspective by following the loop up to Latourell Creek to see the second tier, called Upper Latourell Falls. After a couple switchbacks and a few bridges, you’ll arrive at the upper portion to see the third tallest falls in the Columbia Gorge from a whole new vantage point.
Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint/Overlook Trail
In Bridal Veil Falls State Park, hikers can enjoy two short hikes: one to impressive Bridal Veil Falls and another that puts the views of the Columbia River on full display. Located at the site of an old limber mill, the lower trail takes you through the forest and crosses a wooden bridge over Bridal Veil Creek. The tiered falls are visible from the trail base but a short hike up the trail and leads to a viewing platform where visitors can get a little closer. Combined, the tiered falls drop an impressive 120 feet. Energetic hikers that make their way to the Overlook Trail will earn their post-hike wine and be well rewarded with spectacular views. The roughly half mile loop, hugs the ridge line and offers northern water views and a picturesque picnic area. Looking across the river to the Washington side, you’ll see Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rock and Archer Mountain.
Vista House/Crown Point
Vista House sits atop Crown point, one of the most awe inspiring views in the Gorge. This unique, octagonal building sits 733 feet above the Columbia River and was originally conceived as a rest stop observatory for travelers and as a memorial to Oregon’s pioneers. (Fun fact: when the cost of the project ballooned from $12,000 to over $100,000 some Oregonians named it “The $100,000 outhouse.”) The views are unparalleled but hold on to your hat—winds over 100 miles per hour are a regular occurrence. And make sure you check the weather before visiting. Friends of Vista House, the volunteer-run non-profit that runs Vista House, keeps a close eye on the weather and will close when winds reach 50 miles per hour.
Sherrard Point/Larch Mountain
Views normally reserved for alpinists, a hike up Larch Mountain does not skimp on “wow” inducing moments. For the highly ambitious, there’s the 14 mile hike from the Multnomah Falls trailhead to reach Sherrard Point. But if your plans don’t allow you to spend all day on the trails, there’s an easy 0.6 mile stroll from the parking lot near the viewpoint. Larch Mountain is an extinct shield volcano and the gorge owes its geography, in part, to its eruptions. At 4,045 feet, it’s far from the tallest peak in the Cascade Range but where else can you see five different mountain peaks at the same time?! Access to Sherrard Point is seasonal and your chances of seeing all five peaks (Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson) are best on a clear day. And with Mount Hood sitting only 22 miles away, you experience its size in a totally new way. It’s seriously epic.
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
Yes, it’s called “Portland” Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint but the view is unmistakably Columbia Rover Gorge. The Forum has been a strong advocate for the protection and preservation of the Columbia River Gorge since the 1950s. They bought and donated the land that provides the most iconic view of the Columbia River Gorge. Vista House is easily seen from here along with so many other famous gorge landmarks: Cape Horn, Hamilton Mountain, Little Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rock, Mount Defiance, and Angel’s Rest. Open year round, it shines on clear days and is truly a photographer’s dream location.
