No more free lunch at Vista House

[Michael13]

I have been in the habit of stopping at Vista House to check out the view most every trip to the Gorge I take. Just a half hour from my doorstep, it was the unofficial start of the waterfall touring route and an obligatory photo op. Now it costs $10 to stop and snap a photo or $12 if you're from out of state. If you have the NW Forest pass you're covered, but for the casual tourist who just wants a quick stop and look see, this seems like a rip off to me. Sign of the times, I guess.

This is from a 5am visit a couple of weeks ago, with a seven minute exposure on clouds that were in no hurry.

 

[AlanLichty]

Love the view in the early morning hours with no parked cars clogging up the scene. Nice way to present Crown Point. Almost hard to believe this is a 7 minute(!) exposure.

So my senior pass gets me past the fees? If this is USFS land I can just place my pass on the windshield

 

[Michael13]

Thanks Alan. It was 435 seconds of exposure. I have never seen clouds that just refused to move as these did. The scene appeared much darker than it shows here, as early as it was.

Yes, USFS yearly passes will work. There were no passes on sale - just a placard with a QR code to scan and pay remotely. Not sure how people without smart phones can comply with this ...

 

[Trent Watts]

I suppose if you did have to pay, taking a 7 minute exposure costs less per second!!
This is impressive with any exposure and amazing at 7 min.

 

[Michael13]

I suppose if you did have to pay, taking a 7 minute exposure costs less per second!!
This is impressive with any exposure and amazing at 7 min.

Thanks Trent.

Generally, at 7 seven minutes you see much more streaking in the clouds. This must have been the least windy day ever in the Gorge!