Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, The Waterfalls :: THE Trip, THE Encore'

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

June 27, 2013, we were in Oregon, almost two years later, we are not in Oregon.

This first photo was actually the last waterfall photo of the day.  I want to present it first, because frankly, I don't care for it much, except that it shows a waterfall from I-84 as you head west.  I am not sure which falls these are, but, I love how you can see them from the expressway.  Taken from Jolly at 65 MPH, through a dirty buggy windshield with just a wee bit (sarcasm intended) of glare off the dash.

Now, where were we?  Oh, yes, after leaving Vista House, we continued driving easterly (on 30, the Historic Columbia River Highway, not the expressway, I-84)  and did water fall after water fall after - - 

I love water falls, don't you?  Now, some are harder to get to than others.  Sometimes you have to "hike" in. Sometimes finding a nice view to photograph is a bit of a challenge.  One needs to remind ourselves to be careful first, waterfalls can mean slippery surfaces.  There is the disclaimer, knowing full well that I would have loved to have more time and younger legs and body to scramble into more favorable positions.  Just sayin - - 

First stop, Latourell Falls, about 250 feet. You can hike the 2.1-mile loop trail to see the upper falls, we did not.

Next stop, Shepperd's Dell, the Wikipedia page states it is a bit difficult to get a photo of the falls, I do not disagree.

We had to walk down this rather steep walkway to see the falls here.  Thankfully, it was not too far.  Walkway was rather scenic.  Looked to be old WPA project, and covered with moss.  What's not to like?

And, there is a bridge involved:

The falls:

The falls AND the bridge:

Bridal Veil Falls, at Bridal Veil Creek, water runs from Larch Mountain, the falls are 120 foot tall.

A different kind of view, from the side as I approached. It is about 1 mile to the falls.  I believe this is one that Man sat out and I hiked it by myself.  It was not like I was by myself as there were many other hikers visiting the falls that day.

And, more or less, from the front.

Wahkeena Falls, the falls have 6 drops and totals about 242 feet.  It can be viewed from the roadway, which after my little hike to Bridal Falls is exactly what I did.

The falls are in there somewhere:

The famous Multnomah Falls.  There are 2 drops, total height of about 620 feet.  This area is more developed and is visited by many tourists.  There is a lodge, a large parking area and visitor services.  Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon.  A foot trail leads to Benson Footbridge, the 45-foot footbridge that allows visitors to cross 105 feet above the lower cascade.  Man and I did not go up to the footbridge.

Sony Too and panoramic, shooting from the bottom of the falls, upward.  Photos don't do the falls justice.

We did not stop at the Oneonta Falls,  going on instead to the Horsetail Falls, 192 feet tall.

There are many opportunities for hiking in this area, the rewards of course, being waterfalls.  This is one of those areas that certainly warrants a "do-over".  Tree dappled light, bright sun, wonderful blue skies, deep green flora, waterfalls of various shapes and sizes, the photographic challengers, definitely "do-over" fodder.

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