I-84

Lancaster Falls, Oregon

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Lancaster Falls in May 2010

Starting at Starvation Creek State Park’s parking area, there are three waterfalls in a line (4 including Starvation Creek Falls, which is left from the parking area). The first is Cabin Creek Falls. The second is Hole in the Wall Falls. The final waterfall on the trail (at least before you starting climbing uphill) is Lancaster Falls.

Lancaster Falls is much taller than it appears, but it is almost impossible to get a view of the portion of the falls upstream. If I remember correctly, to get to the falls, you do have more of an uphill climb. Also, you may notice from the falls crosses the trail, though you don’t have to cross the creek if you just want to get a photograph from the left. The view from the right was impressive.

Directions:

  1. From I-84, heading EAST, exit at the sign for Starvation Creek State Park. It’s 15 miles from the more commonly known falls west of this park.
  2. As you pull off, the parking area for the park is directly in front of you. There are a number of spaces, but they do fill up quickly.
  3. From the parking area, head west along the trail that follows I-84. You’ll actually be pretty close to I-84 at points. The first waterfall you’ll encounter heading west is Cabin Creek Falls. The second falls is Hole in the Wall Falls.  The final falls is Lancaster Falls.

Accessibility: 6/10 (moderate)
Height: 303′
Length of Hike: 1.6 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Lancaster Falls?

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Starvation Creek Falls, Oregon

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Starvation Creek Falls in May 2010

Starvation Creek Falls is another beautiful waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. It’s found in Starvation Creek State Park, which is a more distant from Portland than some of the other waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. It was still pretty popular, though there seemed to be more limited parking.

Starvation Creek State Park is the great starting point for at least three other waterfalls (Cabin Creek Falls, Hole in the Wall Falls, and Lancaster Falls). Starvation Creek Falls is the easiest of the falls to visit, and it is only a short walk from the parking area. The other falls can be visited in a 1 mile one-way hike. Overall, the four falls make for a very enjoyable time, and you can get great views of the Columbia River from the park.

Directions:

  1. From I-84, heading EAST, exit at the sign for Starvation Creek State Park. It’s 15 miles (?) distance from the more commonly known falls west of this park.
  2. As you pull off, the parking area for the park is directly in front of you. There are a number of spaces, but they do fill up quickly.
  3. From the parking area, head left on the paved trail to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 227′
Length of Hike: 0.1 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Starvation Creek Falls?

Hole in the Wall Falls, Oregon

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Hole in the Wall Falls in May 2010

Starvation Creek State Park is a little further east than some of the more popular waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, and yet you should definitely visit it if you’re in the area. In Starvation Creek State Park, you can see at least four waterfalls along a one mile (one-way) hike. It’s a relatively easy hike (though it does get steeper near the end).

Starvation Creek Falls is right near the parking area. Cabin Creek Falls is the first along the hike, and creates a few difficulties. Hole in the Wall Falls, though, is very easy to view. As you’re hiking along, you’ll cross the creek with a wooden bridge, and from that area, you can get a great view of this pretty impressive waterfall. From this angle, there were at least two drops visible, and there might be more above. As with many of the other waterfalls in Oregon, the moss-covered rocks only enhance the beauty of the falls!

Directions:

  1. From I-84, heading EAST, exit at the sign for Starvation Creek State Park. It’s 15 miles from the more commonly known falls west of this park.
  2. As you pull off, the parking area for the park is directly in front of you. There are a number of spaces, but they do fill up quickly.
  3. From the parking area, head west along the trail that follows I-84. You’ll actually be pretty close to I-84 at points. The first waterfall you’ll encounter heading west is Cabin Creek Falls.  The second falls is Hole in the Wall Falls.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 96′
Length of Hike: 1.2 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Hole in the Wall Falls?

Munra Falls, Oregon

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Munra Falls in May 2010

Munra Falls is really just a side attraction to the much more interesting Wahclella Falls. As a benefit, though, Munra Falls is VERY easy to visit. You could skip Wahclella Falls if you wanted, and you’d cut your hiking time down…but the hike isn’t bad, and seeing these two waterfalls simultaneously is a good perk.

You’ll have a pretty hard time missing Munra Falls. As you’re hiking along the trail to Wahclella Falls, a bridge passes right over the lower portion of the falls. Try taking pictures at different angles, from the left, the right, and in the middle. You’ll be surprised at how different the views can be!

Directions:

  1. From I-84, take exit 40 (Bonneville Dam).
  2. You can exit from either the east or the west. Wherever you exit from, head away from the entrance to the dam and head toward the gorge.
  3. After turning, if you go straight, you’ll see a sign indicating trailheads, and then a sign indicating parking for Wahclella Falls. Head here.
  4. Park in the parking area, which may be rather full on the weekends.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 68′
Length of Hike: 0.4 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Munra Falls?

Cabin Creek Falls, Oregon

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Cabin Creek Falls in May 2010

At first I couldn’t remember where Cabin Creek Falls was in Oregon. I looked at the pictures, and the memories suddenly came back. Cabin Creek Falls is found in Starvation Creek State Park, which is found in a rather odd location on the Columbia River Gorge.

Many of the falls in the gorge are found within a short distance of each other, but Cabin Creek Falls and the others in the park are found further east directly of off I-84. You can only access these falls heading east on I-84. You’ll have to backtrack to get to them if you’re heading west on the interstate.

Starvation Creek Falls is the most easily accessed at the park, but there are three other falls along a trail that heads west from the parking area. They are all impressive in their own right. Cabin Creek Falls is the first waterfall you’ll “see” along that path. When I first saw the falls, I didn’t think I would be able to get a full view of the falls since they seemed rather hidden. I continued on to view the other two falls further west, and then backtracked.

I pondered climbing up a crazy, slippery slope, but with further exploration, I discovered that there was a way to get to the falls without hurting myself! You’ll have to explore a little bit, but you’ll soon realize that there is a way to get a fuller view of the falls. If you can figure that out, you’ll be greatly rewarded. The full view of the falls is spectacular, and you’re surrounding by these cliffs that essentially hide you from the view of others. It was extremely peaceful and hidden, and the spray from the falls was very refreshing.

Directions:

  1. From I-84, heading EAST, exit at the sign for Starvation Creek State Park. It’s 15 miles from the more commonly known falls west of this park.
  2. As you pull off, the parking area for the park is directly in front of you. There are a number of spaces, but they do fill up quickly.
  3. From the parking area, head west along the trail that follows I-84. You’ll actually be pretty close to I-84 at points. The first waterfall you’ll encounter heading west is Cabin Creek Falls.

Accessibility: 9/10 (easy, to get the full view)
Height: 220′
Length of Hike: 0.6 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Cabin Creek Falls?

Latourell Falls, Oregon

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View of Latourell Falls from the trail leading to Upper Latourell Falls (April 2008)

The Columbia River Gorge is widely known for its spectacular set of waterfalls. Multnomah Falls is the most visited of the falls, and Latourell Falls is probably up there also. Latourell Falls is at the western edge of the set of widely known waterfalls.

I have to admit I like Latourell Falls more than the taller Multnomah Falls. Multnomah Falls is powerful, and you are very close to the falls, but with Latourell Falls, you can get very close.  That doesn’t necessarily mean I’d want to stand under a 250′ waterfall, but you’re only a hundred or so feet from the falls. You can also climb up to the crest of the falls, though the hike is pretty steep (logically). The photo in this picture is taken from the trail leading to the top of the falls. That trail continues onto Upper Latourell Falls.

Directions:

  1. Take the exit off of I-84 toward the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Trail, and head west along the highway. Latourell Falls is west of Bridal Veil Falls. If you’re heading west, the parking area will be on your left.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)

Height: 249′

Length of Hike: Roadside, though you can hike to the base

View of falls from the base

Where in the World is Latourell Falls?

Wahclella & East Fork Falls, Oregon

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East Fork Falls (thin, upper portion) and Wahclella Falls (wide, lower portion) in May 2010

I read that the hike to Wahclella Falls was easy, but that’s dependent on many factors. In Oregon, easy is different than in other, flatter places. It also depends on whether you’ve hiked to see other waterfalls just before that. It’s not a hard hike by any means, but it does have some inclines that can wear you out. They’re definitely don’t provide the same workout as some of the other hikes in the area, hence why it’s probably considered “easy.”

Wahclella Falls is another one of those falls that is overshadowed by its much bigger brother, Multnomah Falls. I like Multnomah Falls, but Wahclella Falls is far more interesting to me. It appeared to be just as voluminous. I was pleasantly surprised at its size.

There is an upper and a lower drop to the falls. The lower drop is easy to photograph, while the upper drop is more difficult. The upper fall that is in the photograph is not the upper portion of Wahclella Falls, but instead the East Fork Creek falling into Wahclella Creek. The two creeks are merging at the point just above the crest of the lower drop. I’ve read that East Fork Falls might not be visible in the summer if it is dry.

Directions:

  1. From I-84, take exit 40 (Bonneville Dam).
  2. You can exit from either the east or the west. Wherever you exit from, head away from the entrance to the dam and head toward the gorge.
  3. After turning, if you go straight, you’ll see a sign indicating trail heads, and then a sign indicating parking for Wahclella Falls. Head here.
  4. Park in the parking area, which may be rather full on the weekends.

Accessibility: 6/10 (moderate)
Height: 90′
Length of Hike: 1.75 miles round-trip

Where in the World are Wahclella & East Fork Falls?

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

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Multnomah Falls in April 2008

I have mixed feelings about Multnomah Falls. At 600+ feet tall, the waterfall is one amazing sight. The scenery around the waterfall is just as amazing. Even the pedestrian bridge adds a charming feeling. Surprisingly, crossing the bridge is not as bad as I thought it would be, especially for somebody not fond of heights :).

On the other hand, this is one busy waterfall. It’s a tall waterfall and it requires finding just the right place to take a picture of most of the waterfall. And that’s the problem…there are so many people there that everybody’s standing in your way. I’m sure I was standing in somebody’s way at some point. It’s unavoidable. There are just so many other waterfalls in the area that aren’t as busy. When hiking to Elowah Falls and Upper Latourell Falls, I was the only one on the trail. I do enjoy a certain amount of quiet when hiking to falls.

There are other waterfalls above Multnomah Falls, but beware. The trailhead is accessed by crossing the bridge and then heading up the left side of the falls. Think about it, though…You’ll be climbing 600+ feet in about a mile. This means rather steep switchbacks. I probably got 4/5 of the way there, and just gave up. (A few years later, I did succeed on my second visit/attempt at seeing Weisendanger Falls.) My suggestion would be that if you want to try seeing those other waterfalls, start early in the day before you’ve visited multiple other waterfalls. Dress in layers also, as you’re likely to get very warm while hiking up, even if it’s not that warm out.

Directions:

  1. Take the exit off of I-84 toward the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Trail, and follow the road. It’s pretty hard to miss Multnomah Falls. The parking for the falls is actually right in the middle of the road. Don’t forget to check out the numerous other waterfalls in the area.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 620′
Length of Hike: Roadside

A smaller waterfall near Multnomah Falls

Where in the World is Multnomah Falls?

Bridal Veil Falls, Oregon

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Bridal Veil Falls in April 2008

Bridal Veil Falls is another one of those amazingly beautiful waterfalls found along the Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon side. This is the first waterfall that I visited there. It is one of the easier waterfalls to visit, though it actually cannot be seen directly from the road.

In order to view the falls, you have to head from the parking lot toward the trail and take the 1/4 mile trail. It does have a small gradient, but it is a beautiful trail. When I visited in early May, the trail was surrounded with Western Bleeding Hearts. The waterfall has a great viewing area at the end of the trail.

Directions:

  1. From I-84, take Exit 28 and get onto the Historic Columbia River Highway.
  2. From the exit, look for milepost 28, where you’ll find the parking area for Bridal Veil Falls. It’s a little bit hidden, but not that hard to find at all.

Accessibility: 8/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 118′
Length of Hike: 0.5 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Bridal Veil Falls?

Shepperd’s Dell Falls, Oregon

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Shepperd’s Dell Falls in May 2010

Of all the roadside waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, Shepperd’s Dell Falls is the easiest to miss. That may be partly because it doesn’t seem to be as admired as the other waterfalls in the area. It’s not that it’s not beautiful, it’s just not very photogenic. (Update: I did find it to be more photogenic during my second visit in May 2010…just seemed to be better views to be had.)

The waterfall is hidden off of the road, and you have to pay attention. Otherwise, you might miss the sign and “parking area” for the falls. The parking area isn’t really a parking area, but more a pullout from the road. Once you park and get out to view the falls, you’ll be able to get rather close to the falls. You can get a few feet from the falls. The issue with that is that it does not provide the whole view of the falls, which is rather spectacular. The photo to the right includes most of the falls, though I think there’s still more below. You’ll have to search for the most complete view of the falls, which may be randomly along the short trail to the crest. I still want to encourage people in the Columbia River Gorge to view Shepperd’s Dell Falls, as it is much prettier I expected.

Directions:

  1. From I-84, get onto the Historic Columbia River Highway.
  2. If you are driving east on the highway, the parking area will be on the right, though there may be parking on the other side. The waterfall is found between Latourell Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 220′
Length of Hike: Roadside

Where in the World is Shepperd’s Dell Falls?