TrailsNW
Columbia Gorge

Wahclella Falls

Length: 1 miles
Low Point: 200'
High Point: 400'
Season: All Year
Scenery: 5/5

Difficulty: 2.5/5

Submitted by: Forrest

Directions

Take exit 40 (Bonneville Dam) of of Interstate 84. Turn south, taking a right at the fork, and continue to the parking area at the end of the road.
Wahclella Falls
Image by: Aaron Nuffer

Trail Description

The trail follows Tanner Creek, following a road to the dam forthe first quarter mile. The real trail starts past the dam, almost immediately passing a large waterfall right along side the trail, which is very refreshing on a hot day. The beginning of the trail is relatively easy, but there are several tougher areas which require some care while hiking up loose rock. At 0.7 miles, a trail splits off to the right and decsends down several hundred feet down to the creek, but continue straight along the steeper path. The trail to the right forms a loop trip past the falls, but as of Sept 1999 when I hiked the trail, the bridge crossing Tanner Creek was out . After another .2 miles past the fork, the canyon ends with the powerful waterfall and an almost park-like setting.

Comments

The lower bridge on Tanner Creek was replaced this summer (2003) and the trail has been completely reworked from the trailhead, down to the new bridge and beyond that on the west side of Tanner Creek to the falls. Upper route is fine, but was not worked this summer...a little rocky.
2004-03-06 00:32:20

Images