Seven hours hiking, mostly in the heavy rain and gusty winds. The twilight-like atmosphere under the trees and the smell of the wet, loamy soil made me feel I was trapped in a primeval forest.

In stead of looking for deer and elk, I began searching for Sasquatch and leprechauns. But, mostly I focused on staying warm and dry.

After hitting the Pacific Crest Trail from a short connector beginning near the Bonneville Dam, I hiked north past pretty Gillette Lake. In another couple of miles I turned northeast on an old logging road, maybe a wagon road at one time.

For the next several miles the rain began coming down in wind-blown sheets, especially as I hiked below the sheer cliffs of Table Mountain. Finally I reached the double waterfalls of Greenleaf Falls, dropping 200 feet in four plunges.

What a sight! They are one of the few spectacular waterfalls on the north side of the Gorge.

After taking a few photos in the neverending downpour, I broke out some candy bars. My fingers were so cold and wet, it was hard to open the wrappers. Soon I was on the way back to the trailhead, looking like a drowned rat on the trail.

This is one of the hikes I keep in my memory because it forms such a sharp contrast with beautiful summer hikes in the high alpine meadows.

Greenleaf Falls on a much nicer day a few years ago