Sept. 6 Gorge Flood Trip Report

[RidgeRunner]

On Saturday, September 6, 2008, Columbia Gorge flood trip participants gathered at Shari’s in Troutdale to start the long day learning more about the Missoula Floods. Those of you who were not able to attend and want to learn more about these historic floods can do an internet search for Missoula Floods, or Ice Age Floods to get more information. You can also go to the Ice Age Floods Institute website and learn more there.

The folks that started the trip at Troutdale included, Mark Buser, Mick & Joey, Ron, Tim & Nick, Rich & Jan, Ken & Cindy and their children, Jim, Eric, and Steve & family. We left Troutdale at 9:00 am as planned and headed east on I-84 toward Mosier. Tim just got his ham radio license and new 2-meter radio so he and I (Mick) had to try out the new communication toy on the way up the gorge.

Jerry (Soggymountain) was coming down from Yakima and he called us on his 2-meter while east of The Dalles and we answered him from the Hood River area. Love those ham radios.

When we got to the parking lot above Mosier we met the eastside people; Jerry & Evelyn, Jim & Marilyn, and Bill & Priscilla.

Missoula Flood enthusiasts in learning mode




Mosier flood gravel bar 800 ft above the Columbia River


Mark Buser explaining the flood evidence








We traveled east from The Dalles visiting flood evidence sites and eventually had lunch at the Deschutes River where Mark showed us maps of the floods to give us all a better idea of how all this happened.

After lunch, we followed old Highway 30 east from Deschutes and stopped at the Oregon Trail site where the wagons came down from the bluffs above to cross the Deschutes River.

After that we all headed home. I'd like to thank Mark Buser for volunteering his time to try and help us understand better what happened here about 15,000 years ago. I'd also like to thank everyone who attended this trip, it was great meeting you and seeing old friends. We hope everyone made it home safely.

Other folks have information and pix from the trip so add your post and share.

Mick

[scudder]

A few photos here
3218 : photos : Ice Age Floods 09/06/2008- powered by SmugMug

Thanks for putting this trip together.
Lots of new flood insights but the "cattle tracks" thing might have been the highlight.


Thanks
Eric Scudder

[hutchman]

Sorry I missed this one. Looks like it was a great time and great weather.

You guys with the 2 meter rigs are going to force me to get one......

[imgettinby]

It was a good trip. Even had good narration from a guy that has never talked on a two-way before. And, despite my hat, still got a little sunburn on my neck. All in a good days adventure.
Yes, it seems the HAM radio bug is catching on, one day soon the poor old CB may end up being abandoned. Guess I'm going to have to get off my duff and get my license as well, I already have a radio, just haven't installed it yet, but it would be hard not to use it if it were, and that's a 'no-no' without a license.

[RidgeRunner]

Thanks, Eric, nice pix. I was hoping you were taking pictures with all that camera gear.

Mick

[nightfoam]

Man sounds like a pretty good trip. I'm sure disappointed we missed out. And we ended up just dropping my Jeep of at the trans shop and I spent all day sitting around the house
Thanks for the pics though, (I like the train pics eric

[Binford]

Here's my contribution to the photo collection:

Mark using the map to help explain how the floods came about...


A mirror-shot of the dust-eaters...


Here's the portion of the old Oregon Trail (turned ORV trail of late)...


Following the tour, Nick and I headed home along Hwy 14 on the Washington side of the Columbia. Along the way we passed Beacon Rock and Nick just *had* to climb it. It took a bit more than 30 minutes to get to the top. Well worth it though for that view...


The pathway up was a fairly easy climb, completed in 1918 and given to the state park system in 1935. Looks a lot wilder than it was though...



Well, it was great to finally put faces to some of the names. Sorry for all the dust.

Nick and I had a great time and look forward to coming along on another sometime. We'll bring my wife and younger son too next time.

And yes, the 2-meter amateur radios are great! Amazing clarity, though the CB didn't sound too bad either. The test is easy with a little studying. Go for it!

Finally, Mick, please give Mark our thanks for a truly fascinating journey back in time. I learned a LOT from him! Thanks, Mark!!!

[Jerry]

We enjoyed the tour immensely. Mark did a great job, we learned a lot, we saw some great scenery and enjoyed every one's company. Thanks, Mick & Joey, you done good.

[outdoors]

We had a great time as well, learned some new things...
And we really enjoyed the weather for our trip.. Very well put together...
Thanks.