North of the Columbia River Gorge is a relatively easy hike to an amazing 350-foot, three-tiered waterfall on Falls Creek.
Like the Silver Falls area, Falls Creek Falls gets little respect. It would likely be a signature state park in most places in the country.
On a beautiful spring morning I hiked to the viewpoint of the lower falls and reveled in the sounds of the water crashing into the cavernous bowl below.
After a healthy climb to a viewpoint above the Falls, I continued another 3 1/2 miles on the trail.
The variety of sights for a relatively flat trail was amazing. For the first mile the trail continued along the creek underneath the shade of mature hemlock trees. The trail was covered with their tiny, soft cones.
Soon a pleasant campsite by a small waterfall was passed. Then, the trail entered an idyllic open valley with pleasant meadows.
The last mile or so of the trail led through an open forest of hemlocks, noble firs and lodgepole pines.
Life is good.
Tributary Creek
Calypso Orchid
Middle tier of Fall Creek Falls
Pleasant stretch of the trail
Turn around spot, and lunch too
Trillium
Reflections in Fall Creek
John, your blog is such a delight to read and view. I was thinking how Mr. Gassett would give you an A+. He lives in Spokane and his health is failing, Delitha and Pootsie tell me. Anyway, great post again. I’ll try to check these sites out sometime. Sandy
Thanks for the kind words Sandy. I’m glad to hear Mr. Gassett is hanging in there. Didn’t he play the piano on the early 1960’s Alley Oop song? I learned a lot from him.
Hi, John,
Yes, Mr. Gassett played piano but I don’t recall that song being one I heard but you are probably right. I loved our Honors English class and thought it one of the best ever.
John – didn’t you post this same hike once before. I have been wanting to do it and I think I got my inspiration from an earlier post of yours. I had not heard of the falls before.
Hope all is going well with you.
Tom Sidley
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You’re right Tom. I do this hike every year. It’s A special one. Bill Sullivan describes the lower route well. I recommend you wait two weeks (the orchids should be in bloom by then) and make sure to hike several miles beyond the upper viewpoint of the falls to the open meadows. Let me know how it turns out. Cheers.