A Day of Waterfalls

Columbia River Gorge, 3/24/08

I took a drive back through time to visit a few of the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. The Historic Columbia Highway runs through the gorge and back through time - to an era when Sunday drives meant something more than getting somewhere fast. It curves through the gorge along stone rails and bridges, parks meant for picnics, hills with vistas, and magnificent waterfalls. I set out on a leisurely pace like those who traveled this road years before.

My first stop was Sheppards Dell Falls - a falls that can be easily overlooked as it is tucked away in a little grotto, not easily seen by those accustomed to a faster paced life. It's a two-tiered waterfall dropping approximately 120 feet to the canyon below. Moss and ferns dripped from the rock wall lining the walkway a sign of the shadowy moist life in the gorge.

Next came Bridal Veil Falls cascading between moss encrusted boulders. The creek rumbled over rocks as the spring melt rushed towards the Columbia River. Anther trail takes the visitor along several viewpoints overlooking the Columbia River where the Portland can be seen far in the west and Bonneville dam to the east.

A short drive took me to Wahkeena Falls, falling 242 feet from the high cliffs then tumultuously tumbling downhill under a sweet little bridge. A short hike takes you to the base of the falls where the spray immediately cools you down from the exertion of climbing the hill. Another stone picturesque bridge awaits you here and beckons you to continue on.

I would recommend that you do continue for although the way is steep the beautiful little falls that awaits you a mile up the trail is well worth the effort. Fairy Falls cascades over a series of rocks in a horsetail reminiscent of waterfalls found on islands of paradise. There may not be a pool at the bottom to swim in, but I could easily imagine little sprite showering in the cool waters.

After that, Olympia was a bit weary so I made a quick stop at Multnomah Falls before continuing on to Horsetail Falls and camp to rest for the afternoon. That evening I drove back to Crown Point to watch the sun set over the Columbia River - a sunset deserving of a standing ovation.