Amtrak station to Mt. Hood and Ancortes to Amtrak station

[gschauss]

I'll be visiting Oregon (bike touring) in a week and I have the Portland bike map but there are a number of routes out of town (from the Amtrak station). I'll be heading to Mt Hood. Somebody told me to follow the Columbia gorge as opposed to taking Rt 26 out of town. Also, I'll be returning by way of the coast. I'm looking for a nice a scenic way both in and out of Portland.
Gretchen