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By Ben McCarty
News staff writer
June 3, 2009
For photos and video of
the hike, click here.
As far
as hikes in the Gorge go, Wahclella Falls is certainly not the
most challenging, but it should rank up there among the most
beautiful.
The hike
is the definition of short and sweet — less than three miles
round trip to the falls and back. Wahclella Falls is pretty much
right smack in the middle of the Gorge waterfalls corridor, and
it certainly makes a nice centerpiece.
The hike
to see it is fairly easy, starting out on a straight-flat path
from the parking lot across from the Bonneville Dam.
After
making your way along the path, the trail starts a slow ascent.
It’s nothing incredibly steep, but it does offer a few nice
views of Tanner Creek below. If you’re lucky you may catch sight
of fish jumping in the creek. I wasn’t that lucky on my trip,
but I could hear the sound of rushing water from the end of the
canyon.
As it
turned out, the rushing water I was hearing wasn’t from
Wahclella Falls, but from a nearer source. As you cross a small
bridge on the path near a fenced-in fish facility you will see a
small falls running down a rock face. It’s a terrific photo
opportunity if you can get the angle right without having water
droplets cover your lens.
Further
along the trail you will see plenty of blooming foliage and can
hear birds singing — all blending in with the sound of rushing
water. After a short bit of steady incline, the trail forks,
leaving you with two choices for how you want to get to the
falls.
You can
take the upper half of the loop first, and go through a bit of a
hike, but get nice views of the creek below; or you can take the
lower half of the loop and get to walk alongside the creek. Your
choice — either way the end result is spectacular. I chose the
upper half of the loop first.
After
you reach the top, the falls come into view through the trees.
The end of the trail presents a spectacular view as the falls
drop into the pool below. On a hot day the mist and breeze
generated by the waterfall is a terrific reward in and of
itself, even without the view. But there is a view, and it is a
terrific one.
If the
breeze and mist aren’t refreshing enough, you can go ahead and
stick your feet in the pool or creek — just know that it is
quite cold.
Overall,
the trail was fantastic for a quick hike. There are enough
trails nearby that it can also be made a side trip from other,
bigger hikes, like the Old Columbia State Highway trail, which
is just one turn away. Or it can be coupled with a trip to the
Bonneville Dam or fish hatchery if you want to make it a family
day outing.
However,
if you do take kids along, be aware there is poison oak near the
trail, as well as a few spots where the trail narrows —
particularly on the upper loop portion — and some areas with
loose rock.
Getting there: From Hood River, take I-84 west to Exit
40. Turn left off the exit to get to the trailhead.
Cost: U.S. Forest Service, Wildness passes and state
parks passes are all recognized. Otherwise there is a $5 day use
fee at the trailhead.
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