ss or park. Instead, it allows for existing rural and scenic characteristics to be retained, while it encourages compatible growth and development within urban areas. This beautiful area contains high mountains, gorgeous waterfalls, rolling hills, and peaceful meadows. Hiking, mountain biking, windsurfing, camping, fishing, boating, wildlife watching, birding, wildflower watching, photography, picnicking, rock climbing are just some of the activities you can do at the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. If you dont have time to visit the whole area and take in all its beauty I will highlight two of the most amazing sites in the Columbia River Basin.Mount Hood serves as one of the most popular recreation areas in the Pacific Northwest. Mount Hood is the tallest of Oregon's Cascade peaks and rises to 11,239 feet above the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. This area is biologically important because the run-off from its volcanic slopes enriches soil in the valleys below. Mt. Hood offers the only year-round skiing in North America. There are many types of skiing available on the mountain, including downhill, cross-country and snowboarding. The mountain offers three major ski areas and 26 lifts. Several cross-country ski trails and off-road hikes follow the Oregon Trail in this area. This popular and scenic area offers a wide range of summer and winter recreation areas. The most popular activities include hiking, viewing scenery, fishing, camping, mountain climbing, kayaking, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Climate in this region changes drastically with elevation. The area receives a high amount of precipitation. Much of the precipitation comes from October to April in the form of rain at the low elevations and as heavy snow in the higher elevations. Winter temperatures are normally cool at the lower elevations and cold at the higher elevations. Although snow is possible in the lowest elevations, it is in...
