Columbia River Gorge Highway Closure

Question

It looks like starting October 1st, 2024, the Columbia River Gorge Highway will be closed between Wahkeena Falls and Multnomah Falls.  We are going to be starting from Hood River going west mid week next week.  Our original plan was to just take the CRG Highway from Exit 35 on I84 to see the scenery and waterfalls.  Now that looks like it won't work.  So a couple of questions:

1.  If we used the I84 parking for Multnomah Falls, would we miss much if we skipped the 4 miles of the CRGH?  If it is worth it,  we could go out and backtrack on the CRGH.

2.  It looks like Exit 28 on I84 is Eastbound  only.  I will need to then go West on I84 to Exit 22 to then go East on the CRGH to the U - Turn at Wahkeena Falls then backtrack to Bridal Veil Falls to Exit 28 to rejoin I84 West or redrive the CRGH back to exit 22 West.  Am I looking at this correct?

Thanks for your help!

chinookgrrrrl · Accepted Answer

Hi- this is the best map i could find describing the closure. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDOT/bulletins/3b31765

to answer questions-

1- yes using the I-84 parking is fine. I dont think youd miss anything significant by skipping the 4 miles east of Multnomah falls .

2- yes your route is probably the best option. Another option you could drive I-84 to exit 25 (Rooster Rock) and then return east on I-84 get to exit 28 east bound. both options iwll require some back tracking unfortunately.

Edited: September 29, 2024, 1:13 am

Leonard H · Answer

This is from ODOT on http://www.tripcheck.com

"MP 17.5 - 17.68

HWY100, 5 miles West of Ainsworth State Park

Closure Road Construction

Lanes Affected: (Eastbound) Median, A section of the Historic Columbia River Highway/U.S. 30 between Wahkeena Falls and Multnomah Falls is closed to all users until Memorial Day 2025. Use I-84 Exit 31 or take transit to visit Multnomah Falls. There is no vehicle or bicycle access to Multnomah Falls heading eastbound on the Historic Highway. The Wahkeena-Multnomah Falls return trail #442 is open to hikers.

There is no access to Multnomah Falls by heading eastbound on the Historic Highway. Eastbound vehicles will be turned around at the Wahkeena Falls Trailhead, just before reaching Multnomah Falls. Westbound vehicles will be turned around at the Multnomah Falls Lodge.

Last Updated: 10/1/2024 10:05 AM"

This closure will continue until Memorial Day weekend 2025.

Edited: October 05, 2024, 12:57 am

Leonard H · Answer

Bumping this up. https://tripcheck.com/Content/PublishedFiles/88455.jpg This is map of the area closure.

Columbia River Gorge Highway Closure - Portland Forum

Columbia River Gorge Highway Closure

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