The amazing Oneonta Gorge is the incredible Columbia River gorge on a sunny day.
This is an area of exceptional beauty, but it’s one that’s being loved to death. The hoards of people that have been visiting this location have been having a negative impact on this special place. The last time that I was in there I saw graffiti scraped into the moss and lichen on the face of a rock. I have taken out garbage and broken glass. It’s sad that people can go out to see this beauty and want to damage it. There are things in this life that I’m sure that I will never understand.
The last that I heard the US Forest Service is trying to come up with a plan to try and mitigate the damage from the volume of traffic in there during the summer months. They have yet to come up with a plan.
If you are going out to the gorge consider coming out before 10am. The crowds seem to sleep in. Consider carpooling or using transit buses. Stay on established trails and avoid “user trails”. Not only do they cause damage to the forest, they can lead you to dangerous areas.
If you see people abusing the gorge suggest to them the proper way to enjoy the area. If they’re causing trouble and you don’t feel comfortable note details and report them to the US Forest Service.
Enjoy but protect our amazing Columbia River Gorge.
#oregon #columbiarivergorge #oneontagorge #hiking