Mike M wrote:ok- one more stupid question for a newbie. i hope to be a full fledged veteran by the end of the trip. well, maybe just an experienced gorger.
question- what is the scene like up there as far as camping goes? is there towns nearby? if we are camping up at rufus is it reasonable to assume that i'll need a full on grill or whatever camping equipment i need to cook food, or is there a burger or pizza place nearby? i'm equipped for the former, but dont' want to lug all that gear up there if it isn't neccessary. i want to pack as low key as possible. lunches and breakfasts i'm down with cold food, but will probably want lots of warm food after kiting all day. it just looks a long way away from hood river township....
If out east. (Rufus) We camp at Peach Beach or Maryhill, just on the other side of the river from Rufus. We get breakfast burittos at the quick stop store in Rufus most mornings. There is Bobs Texas steak house there we eat at once or twice in a week. Biggs is by the Maryhill bridge, and has McDonalds and a few other quick stop stores. Fresh fruit stands by Maryhill and Peach Beach. The Dalles is 20 Miles away. Full ammenities, Hood River is another 20 Min from The Dalles. Tucker park, south of Hood River is always a favorite campground to be based from if most of your time is spent in the corridor. Campgrounds can fillup on weekends. It's always best to get camp spot ASAP, but hard to pass by wind to setup camp. Car camping has endless options. Many other options
One good rule in the Gorge, is stay east of the cloud line for wind. i.e. If cloudy in Hood River, go east.
Lots of Gorge hounds here, you should get more input soon......
-Marty