A loop trip is possible by following Ruckel Creek Trail 405, then 405B to the Pacific Crest Trail , and turning back toward the Columbia on the Pacific Crest Trail. Trail 400 connects with the Pacific Crest Trail and parallels I-84 back to camp. This loop is roughly equivalent to the one-way distance up to Wahtum but with enough elevation gain to get the heart pumping and the legs straining. For the most accurate picture of the 125 miles of trails within the Columbia Wilderness, check with the Forest Service at its district headquarters in Troutdale. The Gorge itself adds its own wind-tunnel effect, so be prepared for variety even in summer.
Thunderstorms materialize quickly, and the wind can blow hard, particularly in late afternoon.
In fact, the Columbia River has an international reputation among sailboarders for this exact reason. Long before there were giant monstrosities like dams on the Columbia, Native Americans were the first to experience the winds of the Columbia. Lewis and Clark were the first white explorers to use the river as a highway, opening the door to continued use by settlers who, at The Dalles, traded Conestoga wagons for the steamboats that carried them to their new homes in the Northwest territory. Rapids and falls that had to be portaged then no longer exist today because the wild and mighty flow of the Columbia has been harnessed by power companies in this century. For those curious and wanting a respite from outdoor activities, the Bonneville Dam gives tours daily.