An interesting small waterfall was my first destination on a side trail on Gorton Creek. Due to the heavy rainfall of late I decided not to bushwhack up the canyon another one-fourth mile to see another wonderful 80-foot waterfall.

It was another cold morning with mostly concrete skies, but I couldn’t help enjoying myself on the last weekend of the year.

I began the morning by parking near the Wyeth Trailhead in the mid-Columbia River Gorge. After visiting the waterfall I returned to the Gorge Trail and hiked to Herman Creek near Cascade Locks.

Typically it’s a very pleasant, well-maintained trail, but the heavy rainfalls had caused many second-growth Doug firs to fall over the trail. I did get a little tired of going over, under and around blowdowns. That’s the price to pay when hiking most trails in the winter time.

All in all, it was about 8 1/2 miles round trip and 1,000 feet of elevation gain. A nice way to spend a few hours during the holidays.

Small waterfall on Gorton Creek

Indian Point (the best viewpoint in the Gorge)

Turn-around spot

One of many blowdowns over the trail

One of many talus slopes below the cliffs

Nice footbridge over Gorton Creek

A view across the Columbia River

Licorice Fern

Wind Mountain

Fresh snow on Dog Mountain