Day Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge ― Hiking Loops, High Points, and Waterfalls Within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Designed specifically to cover in 60 hikes nearly the entire eighty-five-mile Columbia River Gorge corridor, this is the only guidebook for the Gorge with color photographs and color topographic maps. Almost every waterfall, including secret ones, and nearly every overlook point, summit, and loop hike within the Gorge is covered in great detail with specific mileage and compass directions. Author Don Scarmuzzi personally hiked every single trail several times, and in opposite directions, on different days of the year, under various conditions. The book begins by describing geological events that created the Gorge. The spectacular scenery with the modern day trail work help to make it a sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts, whether they are tourists or locals, experienced hikers or newbies. Hikes and walks are seamlessly synchronized with surrounding hikes to build on one another to create several different loops.

“San Juan” Don grew up in northeastern Ohio, graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in New York, and has lived in eight different states, his favorites being Colorado, Alaska, and Oregon. Part ski bum, part chef, part bartender and waiter, he long ago gave up mountain biking to hike full-time and wrote two popular guides for Southwest Colorado (TELLURIDE TRAILS series). In his first year abiding in Portland, Oregon, he hiked every conceivable trail in Forest Park (largest urban forested park in the US) while getting familiar with the region and especially the Columbia River Gorge. A five-year labor of love, Don’s definitive manual, DAY HIKES IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, will be published by WestWinds PressR in September 2015. Also a passionate photographer, Don has always documented his explorations while constantly upgrading his cameras and thus skills at taking pictures from precarious positions on the sides and tops of beautiful mountains and landscapes. Don also works vibrant maps into his guides, and has held up his promise to only publish guidebooks with maps and photos in full color. He compares Washington State to Colorado in overall splendor, and is working on his next major project: DAY HIKES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.