Photo by Adam Sawyer
Cited at 630 feet, Multnomah Falls is often billed as the tallest waterfall in Oregon, and the 2nd tallest year-round waterfall in the United States. Just around the corner from Multnomah Falls is the somewhat overlooked Wahkeena Falls. If it was located anywhere else in Oregon, or anywhere else in the Gorge for that matter, Wahkeena Falls would be a stand alone attraction. What you miss from the road however, is everything above these falls. As it happens, you can visit both falls, as well as four other named cascades by hiking the 5.4 mile, 1600 foot elevation gain Wahkeena-Multnomah Falls loop.
I know what some of you might be thinking. “Surely you’re not recommending I take my family to visit that zoo of tourists at Multnomah Falls?” Well that’s exactly what I’m doing. Yes, there are crowds most of the year, but it never gets old seeing the expression on a visiting face the first time it witnesses Multnomah Falls. Embrace it. Enjoy the giant ice cream cookie thingy and a cup of coffee at the end of the hike. Eat a hot dog or have a sit down dinner at the lodge and listen to the tourists marvel over what they’ve just seen. It might put the falls back into perspective for you. Sure there is a mob scene close to the falls, but as is the case with many trails in the area, once the pavement ends the crowds thin out considerably.
Photo by Adam Sawyer
To get there take I-84 east to Multnomah Falls exit 31. Find parking where you can and walk through the tunnel to the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge.
Asking the kids to start by hiking away from Multnomah Falls is a bit like asking them to eat breakfast before opening presents on Christmas morning, but that’s what I’m recommending here. Start by heading west along the Historic Highway. A short distance from the lodge, pick up the marked trail to Wahkeena Falls. There isn’t much to this part of the trail, which is why it’s good to start here; plus it’s a nice warm up.
Cross a footbridge at Wahkeena Falls and continue up along a paved path. You soon come to a stone bridge that crosses the creek within spraying distance of the falls. Continue up some long, steep, switchbacks to Lemmon’s Viewpoint. Enjoy the view and catch your breath before heading up the Wahkeena Canyon along the now unpaved path. The trail marches up through the scenic canyon before arriving at Fairy Falls. Hike past the falls a short distance to a junction with the Vista Point Trail. Stay right, and continue on the Wahkeena Trail. At the next junction it’s worth taking a right onto the Angel’s Rest Trail for about 100 yards to visit Wahkeena Springs. The spot where Wahkeena creek emerges from the ground also makes an excellent rest stop. When you’re ready, go back to the Wahkeena Trail and make one last push to the top of the ridge and the end of the climbing.
At the four-way junction stay straight passing the steep ascent to Devil’s Rest on the right. Follow the now level trail for 1 mile before it descends to a junction with the Larch Mountain Trail. Turn left here and follow Multnomah Creek as it passes Ecola, Weisendanger, and Dutchman Falls on its way to a small bridge crossing. Just after the crossing, the pavement begins again and meets a two-way junction. Take the short jaunt to the left to visit the viewing platform at the top of Multnomah Falls. Return to the main path and ascend briefly before beginning the paved mile long descent to the base of Multnomah Falls, and the end of the hike. It’s ice cream time.
-Adam Sawyer
Photo by Adam Sawyer
Photo by Adam Sawyer
