Columbia River Gorge

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Columbia River Gorge pictures

The photography of John Christopher once again captures the splendor of the Pacific Northwest, as he did with the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. In a series of carefully selected shots taken along the entire span of its banks on both the Oregon and Washington sides, these pictures provide an excellent window into the beauty and natural diversity of the Columbia River Gorge. From the entrance at Cape Horn on the West (near Portland) to the high desert of the east where the hundred-year old Stonehenge replica/war memorial can be found, the Columbia River Gorge pictures taken by Christopher present a wide array of gorgeous nature scenes—all of which can be printed to the highest quality, and placed in the matting and framing combination of your choice.

The Columbia River Gorge spans just over seventy miles on the Washington/Oregon State border. Home to waterfalls, high cliff walls, rainforests and deserts, the Columbia River Gorge has supported many civilizations with its rich natural resources for over thirty thousand years. Archaeological digs have revealed evidence of the Folsom and Marmes people, who first inhabited this area after crossing the Great Continental Divide from Asia. Since that time, other cultures such as today’s Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla and Nez Perce tribal nations, as well as their ancestors, have lived and fished upon the river banks. Rich with Salmon, the Columbia River Gorge first attracted the Lewis and Clark expedition, who named the now famous “Beacon Rock” near the middle of the Gorge. Inspired by their passionate descriptions of the region, the Columbia River Gorge attracted first hundreds, then thousands of settlers to the area. Since that time, the natural beauty of this officially-designated “National Scenic Area” (NSA) has attracted millions of visitors as well as photographers who continue to spread tales of its majesty to all the world.

Christopher's perceptive eye captures not only famous sites such as Columbia River crossing, named the “Bridge of the Gods,” by the native Americans who discovered it, but also some small treasures that could otherwise only be found by a diligent trekker. His “Quiet Creek” shot captures one of over a thousand tributaries that contribute to the Columbia's powerful, earth-shaping flow. Other photographs, such as the “Double Rainbow,” are a testament to the considerable time Christopher has invested into the observation of natural wonders to be found at the Columbia River Gorge. While some sights, like Beacon Rock, hold steadfast against the current of time, others, like the “Golden Dawn” appear but once in a lifetime—and even then, only if you are watching carefully!

As usual, the beautiful photography of John Chrsitopher shares with the world a vision of beauty few of us are privileged enough to experience first-hand. As with all of the work on the site, all of these images are printed, in custom sizes, with the highest quality digital printing technology available today. They can be made available to you in custom matting and framing combinations, ready to hang on your wall!

Click here to see all of John Christopher's photography.

©2004 Aaron J Lozier