Need Help...Going to the Gorge

ledhead1191 · Since 31 May 2008 2 Posts sf bay area New Member

I'll be visiting the gorge for the first time in late June. I'm coming from San Francisco and I figure I'll fly into Portland (or should I fly into Dallesport?). I am not old enough to rent a car so I was wondering if there was any kind of shuttle system/public transportation that runs from Portland International to Hood River and back. I found this when I googled it: http://community.gorge.net/hrctd/ Anyone have any experience with this?

Also I'm looking for places to stay. Like I said, I won't have a car so any suggestions on a cheap place to stay with a working shower with hot water and close to where I'll be kiting would be greatly appreciated.

Anything else that you think I should know also.

Thanks in advance,
Evan

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

yo,

The launches here are often 5-20 miles apart along the gorge, so if you don't have a car, you'll want to get a place to stay right at one of the launches. Hood River might be a good bet since it is often blowing there. That public transit you found would probably work well. There's good public transit to and from the airport to many portland areas (check google maps) that can get you to that CAT site. Maybe call and double check that its in service since the website is so budget looking.

tonyb · Sat May 31, 08 9:29 am

Hi ledhead,

I'd fly to PDX as it will save you some money and it's only 45 minutes to Stevenson, 1 hour to Hood River. Not a lot of options on public transport but maybe a shuttle or two. There are some guys (like Spike), that are organizing car pools and rides so maybe you could throw in some gas money and hook up with them.

It looks like I may be in and out of Portland a couple of days a week this summer and if the timing is right I'd be happy to give you a lift on the first leg. (PDX to Stevenson).

Your best bet is probably to find a place in HR - maybe just a room or something. That gives you stuff in walking distance, some night life, kiting at the spit, and makes a good gateway to other spots in the gorge.

Tony

wylieflyote · Sat May 31, 08 10:44 am

If you're on a shoestring budget, I've stayed at Bingen School House Hostel. Having no car might presents problems as it's 10 minutes across the river. But you'd likely hook up with plenty of other junkies that would give you a ride.
http://www.bingenschool.com/

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Probably want to stay somewhere near hood river - you should have winds and there is a night life.

surfncap · Since 06 Mar 2007 78 Posts NE

ill be going to sauvies weeknights and wherever theres wind on weekends. I live in NE portland. e-mail me if want rides

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

http://www.bingenschool.com/trainorbus.htm

Looks like this place has the greyhound bus lines posted...

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

i was also gonna say the greyhound is your cheapest and easiest bet to get from PDX to hood river, or stevenson, or bingen. you can't walk across the HR bridge, but hitch hiking usually isn't to difficult Altho if you can't drive, you probably shouldn't be hitch hiking, definately stay in hood river if you can.

if you stay in hood river, you can pretty much walk/bike anywhere in town. i would recommend trying to rent a bike so you can jsut ride down to the sandspit and kite. i'm not sure how the CAT works. you should probably just call them the day before you need a ride somewhere.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

amtrak.com

not sure on price, but there is a stop.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 03, 08 8:16 am

If your a decent enough kiter I think you could find rides with other local kiters. Having beer will probably help your situation but you may have to get your mclovin ID squared away first.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

If you do not drive stevenson may be a shorter walk to the water then hood river. Or if you had camping gear you could camp at Rufus but their is no public transport out their.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

or you could take the MAX line from the airport to anywhere in portland, meet up with a kiter, and hitch a ride to HR.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

If I was on a major tight budget I would take the greyhound to Hood River from PDx. Call Robin at Bridge RV http://www.bridgerv.com/ to make a tent reservation. They have terrific bathrooms and are right next to a convient gas station that serves coffee, dognuts, burritoes! My diet when I'm on a budget.

If you just stay in Hood River and want to skip the car rental you might just get lucky and have wind more than if you travel depending on your kite quiver.

There is a car rental http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/home.do

They might pick you up and deliver your car if you nice.

The Bridge RV campground is really close to the bridge and you could hitch hike and walk the mile with kite on back. Hey if your really adventourous you could even kite back to the Washington side by the Treaty Fishing Dock roll up your kite and walk to Bridge RV. Many fine folks have taken that route back when learning how to kite back in the day.. CAn I get an Amen!!

Good Luck,

Oh Yeah, If you do get a car there is a really cool place above Mosier with a pool, jacuzzi and cheap tent site called American Adventure. I used to stay there when gas was cheaper.

ledhead1191 · Since 31 May 2008 2 Posts sf bay area New Member

Thanks all for the advice and recommendations.
My friend John called up an old friend of his (Mikey?...he rides for Royal kites) who lives in HR and he said that I could crash at his house which is just a bike ride away from the 'spit?'. My only problem now is getting a ride from the airport. I am flying in Sunday the 22nd. I am flying in early (like 9:00 am or so) to catch a full days riding. Any carpools set up or anyone commute to HR at this time? I'll for sure throw down money for gas and I'll try to supply a few brews, but no promises there. If catching a ride with someone doesn't work I'll just take the greyhound, no big deal.

Oh yea, what size kites I should bring. I've heard it gets crazy windy up there; like 5m? I was thinking 7m and 9m revs. What's the average size people rig?

Thank you all again for helping me out,
Evan

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

Bring as much gear as you can.

You will use it all.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Yeah, the wind's been weird here this year... You'll be on your 11 (or more for some) one day, and 7 the next. I've ridden 7/9/11 at HR, even within the last month or so.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

There are probably a lot of guys that could give you a ride that day. I don't know my schedule that far in advance, but I may be able to pick you up on my way to Hood River - the launching spot is called the spit.

As far as kite size. Depends on how much you weigh man. I'm 190 and I would bring a 7, 9, and 11. As far as the five goes - I actually own a five, but only use it very rarely. There are nuking days at the spit, but generally if it is five meter weather I have to head out farther east like rufus or Roosevelt or something like that.