The 242 foot high, 15 foot wide
Wahkeena Falls drops down the north side of Larch Mountain in neat steps like
following a curved staircase. Fed by Wahkeena Spring, the water flow, though
much slighter than its neighbor, Multnomah Falls, is year round. Of course, it
is more abundant in
the late Winter and Spring months when snow melts increase the amount of
ground water.
Though you can view Wahkeena Falls
from the highway, a short, easy footpath takes you to the base of the falls.
Folks inclined to traverse more challenging trails can continue on, up the
steep slope, to the top of Wahkeena Falls and, if desired, several other
falls.
Wahkeena Falls is only
a half mile from the famous Wahkeena Falls Lodge, a historic landmark, and now functioning as a Forest
Service Information center. Rock hounds will be interested that every type of
rock found in the Columbia River Gorge is represented in the Lodge.
In the upper portion
of the lodge is a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The restaurant is assessible by elevator for people with disabilities.
The U.S. Forest
Service maintains what they call a 'Day Use Area' at the Wahkeena Falls
including a picnic area with many picnic tables and barbecue grills, 2
restroom facilities with flush toilets, potable water, and a large picnic
shelter with a stone fireplace.
How to get there:
I-84 at exit
31 (Wahkeena
Falls) and
go 0.5 miles past (west) the Wahkeena Falls
Lodge to the parking area.
For photos
of Wahkeena Falls, see:
For more information about Wahkeena
Falls you may phone the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Hood River at
800-551-6949 (toll-free) or 503-695-2261.
