Audubon Birding Day: Fall Birding in the Columbia Gorge
This is a drive-yourself day trip. We will encourage and facilitate carpooling.
This is a drive-yourself day trip from Troutdale, Oregon, to Coyote Wall, Washington (just a few miles east of Hood River and White Salmon) on the Washington side of the Columbia River.
On the way up the gorge, we will proceed to the NE Corbett Hill Road Exit and traverse the Historic Columbia River Highway with stops at Crown Point Vista House and mature Doug fir coniferous forest edges. We will hike (1/2 mile total) in close proximity to our vehicles only, on relatively level ground.
We will then bird the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and Cascades Island in the heart of the Columbia River. Here we will hike (1/4 mile total) on flat ground.
From Bonneville, we will proceed to Cascade Locks and cross the Columbia River on the historic toll bridge – the Bridge of the Gods. Then we will bird Rock Cove at Stevenson, Washington, for waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and Bald Eagle.
After Stevenson, the adventure continues east on Washington Highway 14 to Coyote Wall, with brief stops along the way. At Coyote Wall, we’ll visit the stunted oak forest at the base of the geosyncline (i.e., the towering basalt rock wall and rimrock). We’ll hike up the rim (2 miles round trip) with a moderate elevation gain of 300 feet for fantastic views of the Columbia Gorge. This time of year, we will be on the lookout for Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon.
From the wall, our trip continues back towards Portland with brief birding stops as time and opportunities arise.
Meeting Location: The Sandy River Delta Recreation Area parking lot nearest to the entrance area. Carpooling from here will be highly encouraged to limit the number of vehicles in our caravan.
Please bring water, snacks, or lunch, and dress for the weather.
