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Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, Oregon
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Description: About 10,000 years ago, ice dams broke, releasing the waters of giant prehistoric lakes throughout what is now the northwest United States. This cataclysmic event shaped the landforms we see now. This trail leads visitors through this vast geographical region, highlighting areas where massive landmarks tell the story of the geography of this region.
Columbia River
Floods waters inundated the Umatilla and Dalles Basins, creating Lake Condon. Along this part of the Columbia River, two highways parallel the river: I-84 on the south bank and WA 14 on the north bank. Together, these two routes form the Columbia River Loop. The Pendleton Spur of I-84 leads to the Columbia River at Umatilla. Between here and The Dalles, WA 14 provides visitors outstanding views of the river and the effects of the Floods. Visitors could cross onto I-84 and the Historic Columbia River Highway to Crown Point. Crown Point is 700 feet above the river level and was topped by floodwaters during the Ice Age Floods. WA 14 and I-84 form the Gorge Loop, which runs from The Dalles to Portland. North of Portland on I-5, the Pathways continue to the Kelso/ Longview area. The Castle Rock Spur connects Castle Rock and the Kelso/ Longview area. The Pathway turns west on WA 4 on the north bank of the Columbia to Megler near the meeting of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. U.S. 30 leads from Portland to Astoria along the south bank of the Columbia River, forming the Lower Columbia Loop.
Just to the west of Crown Point is the
Portland-Vancouver Basin. A hydraulic
dam at Kalama Gap forced flood waters to back up into the Willamette Valley and swirl around the landscape near Portland. Interstates I-84, I-205, and I-5, U.S. 26 and U.S. 30, and OR 99-W and OR 99-E all lead to Floods resources in the Portland area. The Hillsboro Loop leaves Portland on U.S. 26 to State Route 47 and south to State Route 99-W. Following State Routes 213 and 214 will lead visitors to the Mt. Angel Loop. The Big Bend Loop leads visitors southwest of Portland on 99-W to State Route 22 west of Salem. South of Portland, I-5 and OR 99-W, OR 99-E, OR 18, OR 22, OR 34, OR 228, and OR 126 lead to Flood resources in the Willamette Valley as far south as Eugene. The Willamette Valley spur runs from Salem to Eugene.
Location: • Longview/Kelso, Washington: I-5 and WA 4
• Pendleton, Oregon: I-84 and US 395
• Eugene, Oregon: I-5 and OR 58
• Astoria, Oregon: US 101 & US 30
• Ilwaco, Washington: WA 100 (near US 101).
Loop routes allow visitors to leave these major routes to explore areas of interest. The loop and spur pathways vary in complexity in each state.
Address: Ice Age Floods Institute
Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, and
95 Lee Blvd.
Richland, WA 99352 |
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Phone: 509-943-9000 |
Season: year round |
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Fee: at some sites |
Reservations: no
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Activities
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Biking
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Fishing |
Picnicking
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| Boating (Motorized) |
Hiking/Backpacking
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Scenic Driving
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| Boating (Non-motorized) |
Horseback Riding |
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| Boating (WW) |
Hunting |
Water Sports |
| Camping |
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Wildlife Viewing |
| Caving |
Off Highway Vehicles
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Winter Sports
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| Climbing
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Services and Facilities
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Visitor Center
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Group Campgnd
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RV Sites
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Exhibits |
Campgnd, Primitive
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Electric Hookup
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Interpretive Programs
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Drinking Water
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Dump Station
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Cultural-Historic Sites
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Restrooms
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Boat Ramp
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Campgnd, Developed
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Showers
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Marina |
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| Rental Cabins |
Notes: Click here for a broad overview map of the area
Ice Age Flood Tour Route (2.1 Mb)
Ice Age Flood Interpretive Sites (1.4 Mb)
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