Hood River Countyoregon Is Located In The Pacific Northwestpositioned At The Crossroads Of The Spectacular Columbia River Gorge And The Magnificent Cascade Rangethe County Is Known For Its Unusual Mix Of Geology And Climatecascade Locks On The Western Edge Of The County Sits At Just 60 Feet Above Sea Level While The County S South Border Soars To The 11 235 Foot Summit Of Mthoodae Oregon S Tallest Peakhood River Countypopulation 23 382Lies Midway Between The Moist Rain Forest Climate Of Cascade Locks And The Arid Desert Air Of The Dallesthe Area That Is Now Hood River County Has Been Inhabited By Native Tribes Such As The Wascoklickitatand Warm Springs Tribes For Thousands Of Yearsthey Fished Salmon From The Columbiagathered Native Huckleberriesand Thrived Off The Area S Diverse Natural Habitat Far Before Settlers Began Their Westward Explorationshood River Was Later Discovered By Lewis And Clark On Their Historic Journey Westand The Area Was A Pivotal Point In The Famous Oregon Trail Migration Of Pioneers Hood River Was Named After The River Tributary That Flows From Mount Hood To The Columbia Riveroriginally A Part Of Wasco Countyhood River County Gained Its Political Separation On June 231908 And Its Boundaries Have Remained Unchanged The Missoula Floods That Rose At The End Of The Last Ice Age Left The Hood River Valley Fertile And Hospitable For Fruit Trees And Vineyardsand Created A Fishing And Trade Mecca In The Cascade Locks Areahood River Valley Is Famed For Apples And Pears Which Producers Ship In Large Quantitiesforestryhealthcaremanufacturing And Technology Are Also Major Industries The Columbia River Gorge Has Had Federally Protected Status As A National Scenic Area Since 1986Its Steep Wallscoupled With A Rapid Average Temperature Change Along This Corridorforce Strong Winds To Blow Year Round Through Hood Riverwhich Contribute To Its Reputation As A Windsport Mecca
