Top: Standing alongside the legendary Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox makes one feel quite small. Bottom: Towering over one of Oregon’ s oldest cities, the Astoria Column commemorates the region’ s rich history while offering unforgettable views in every direction.
was there, was terrible, requiring caution and made for the off-road crowd, but I managed on my BMW RT. At its end is a campground with bear boxes to store food.
The mile-plus hike from the campground to Cinder Cone is a slightly uphill route. For optimal viewing and cooler temperatures in the summer, arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when shadows are longer. Carry water and something to eat. The view of the cone from its base is worth the hike, but for a real treat, climb to the top. There’ s a natural trail to follow. Stay on it, and be warned that it’ s an extremely strenuous hike, with your footing slipping with every step. Take your time climbing if you go to the top.
No matter your level of conditioning, you will suffer. But if you are healthy, the view from above is spectacular. For those of you who still carry a camera, take a long lens. The colors, looking down from above, are spectacular.
3. THE ASTORIA COLUMN: Astoria, OR This one’ s easy to overlook and is meant for those with an interest in history. I’ m certain many who travel U. S. 101 have never heard of it, and if they have, they never considered it a destination. TripAdvisor describes it as a 125-foot-tall column sitting atop Coxcomb Hill overlooking Astoria. But the many historical events depicted on the column frieze will amaze you, spiraling up and around. At its base, the area appears as a pristine forest, then higher up, the discovery of the Columbia River, then the Lewis and Clark Expedition, through to the arrival of the railroad.
And the view goes far beyond Astoria. What you see beyond the city is the confluence of the Columbia River with the Pacific Ocean. To add to your visit, climb to the column’ s top, where you’ ll note the names of the people who made the most recent restoration possible. The name at the top will be recognizable to most. There is a small charge for parking. For pictures, hope for a sunny day, but any view is special.
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / SEPTEMBER 2026 / 35