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COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS

Federal, state and local restrictions are changing frequently, so before you book a ticket or hop in your car, make sure the parks, trails and wineries you want to visit are open. The wineries are updating their websites and social media channels to reflect their hours, offerings and restrictions, which include limiting the number of customers, requiring face masks and creating space between tables. Most wineries also offer options like curbside pickup and delivery, so don’t hesitate to ask

TAKE A WALK IN WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Willamette Valley is renowned for its pinot noir, although its other cool-climate varieties like pinot gris, chardonnay and pinot blanc are also exceptional — and the area’s waterfalls rank just as highly.

HIKE: “If you love waterfalls, you have to go to the Trail of Ten Falls,” says Sawyer. Located in Silver Falls State Park, about 50 miles south of Portland , it’s a 7.8-mile moderate hike that takes you past at least 10 waterfalls , four of which you can walk behind. You’ll also have access to several alluring grottos and benches if you need a rest.

Highlights include South Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in Oregon, boasting a height of 177 feet, as well as North Falls, an impressive cataract with an enormous grotto.

Looking for a more laid-back trek? “You can modify this hike to hit five waterfalls,” says Sawyer, “some of which you can drive to.”

COST: $5 day-use fee

DRINK: A short drive away is Vitis Ridge in Silverton . Don’t miss the award-winning Marechal Foch and Fab Four (a cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot blend). Reservations are not required, but hours are limited between March and December.

About 45 miles from Silver Falls (but well worth the drive) is Stoller Family Estate . Sample the Dundee Hills Series, which includes a chardonnay, rosé and pinot noir, each of which is created by blending a variety of plantings, clones and vine ages to represent the full estate. The winery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and reservations (mandatory due to COVID-19) can be made online for their tasting room,

South Falls on the Trail of Ten Falls

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STOLLER FAMILY ESTATE

outdoor seating and for their exciting new Experience Center, where visitors can learn about winemaking and the vineyard using augmented reality, interactive tasting tables and a 136-square-foot display. And you can

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STOLLER FAMILY ESTATE

about tasting room and winery tour alternatives, such as Stoller Family Estate’s Experience Center and Cathedral Ridge’s virtual tastings. You can find more information on the reopening of Oregon Wine Country at oregonwine.org.

When planning your outdoor adventures, Travel Oregon’s Travel Alerts page (traveloregon. com/travel-alerts) is a helpful resource for understanding what restrictions and requirements are in effect for Oregon’s outdoor recreation sites and activities. Looking up individual hikes and waterfalls on AllTrails.com or OregonHikers.org before you hit the trailhead is also recommended.

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PRO TIPS

“Hiking in the Northwest any time of year, you should be prepared for shifting conditions,” says travel writer Adam Sawyer. Many hikes can get muddy and slick, even when it’s not rainy, and a sunny morning doesn’t guarantee warm weather later, so proper footwear, layers and a rain shell are key, even for easy outings.

If you opt for an adventure beyond a short, easy hike, make sure you’ve planned and packed appropriately for potential emergencies and accidents by making space in your backpack for these 10 essentials:

1. Navigation 2. Sun protection 3. Insulation 4. Illumination 5. First-aid supplies 6. Fire essentials 7. Repair kit and tools 8. Nutrition 9. Hydration 10. Emergency shelter

Multnomah Falls

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even book a stay at several guest houses on the property.

CONQUERING COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE AND MOUNT HOOD

The Historic Columbia River Highway offers scenic views along the Columbia River Gorge to the east of Portland, with the section between Bridal Veil and Ainsworth earning the nickname “Waterfall Corridor.” Normally, you can see and hike showstoppers like Latourell Falls and Multnomah Falls — one of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular cataracts with a 620-foot, two-step drop — along this route, but currently, this section is closed in an effort to reduce crowds and curb the spread of COVID-19 , as is access to some of the other waterfalls you’d find along the route.

The good news? On the drive out to Tamanawas Falls and Hood River’s wineries, you can still pull off Interstate 84 to get a gorgeous glimpse of some of these falls, including Multnomah. And some popular hikes in the area, like Bridal Veil Falls , remain open. Check with the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department when you’re preparing for your trip to get updates on park and road closures.

HIKE: Journey south of the interstate on Highway 35 into Mount Hood National Forest for the Tamanawas Falls Trail , a 3.3-mile moderately challenging hike 1 1/2 hours from Portland. To get there, you’ll go through what’s known as the Fruit Loop. “As you’re on your way to the waterfall, there are fruit stands and cideries everywhere,” Sawyer says. He considers the 109-foot Tamanawas Falls a “lesser-known five-star waterfall” due to its setting on the eastern slopes of Mount Hood and the enchanting mist you’ll see rising within the natural amphitheater walls at the falls’ base.

COST: $5 day pass

DRINK: Cathedral Ridge Winery in Hood River features an award-winning wine tasting menu that includes the 2018 Necessity White and 2017 Bordheauxd Red, a local favorite named in honor of the area’s windsurfers and kiteboarders (affectionately known as “boardheads”). The winery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and COVID-19 precautions include mandatory reservations, the use of hand sanitizer and a sign-in process. Tastings are limited to 45 minutes with a limit of four people per group. Food is not served and the winery requests that guests do not bring in their own. Cathedral Ridge also offers a private virtual tasting option, allowing groups of four or less to enjoy a tasting led by a knowledgeable host. OREGON | ADVENTURES

Tamanawas Falls Trail

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