Hiking the Great Northwest: Wahkeena Falls to Multnomah Falls Loop

Finally, after a crazy September of school and trips out of town, I finally was able to hike! I was up in Portland for a weekend class, so on Sunday I headed out to the Columbia River Gorge to do one of the most popular hikes in the area: Wahkeena Falls to Multnomah Falls Loop. I was a little fearful that the trail would be super crowded, but honestly I didn't run across many people until I got very close to Multnomah Falls.

I highly suggest going from Wahkeena falls rather than starting at Multnomah for a couple of reasons. First, it is much easier to go through the tourist crowd by Multnomah falls while you go downhill rather than uphill. Second, when you finish, you can enjoy a treat from the lodge and your car is right there ready to go!

Along this trail, you will come across great views of the Columbia River Gorge and a plethora of waterfalls. I thoroughly enjoyed the hike. I can remember coming up this trail at one point in high school with a friends youth group. We had to take several breaks on the trek up. This time, I did not need a break, although there are a ton of switchbacks. Each time I came across a switchback I convinced myself I could make it to the next one. I kept doing that until I reached the top.

The other heart warming part of this hike was just the hiking community. I came across a cute older couple hiking a few times and even was able to snap a photo of the both of them for their own memories. At the top, you can detour about .1 miles toward Angel's Rest to the Wahkeena Springs, a sweet spot for a nice picnic lunch! I walked up there to see what it was like and met a couple of hilarious men. They were old college buddies from New England and they were a total hoot. They even told me here at this spring, toward to top of the rushing water, I could refill my water! I hung out with them for five or ten minutes and then went along my way and continually ran into them here and there until the end of our hikes.

Date of hike: October 5th, 2014
Distance: 5 Miles

Elevation gain: 1600 feet

Difficulty: Moderate
Miles thus far: 180/200 miles this year

As I went to hike the Wahkeena trail, it was under construction. So I walked up the road about a quarter of a mile to where the trail opened up again.

Wahkeena stream

In front of Wahkeena Falls

Wahkeena Falls

At the top of the first climb, you'll crest a ridge. Follow the pavement out to the point, called Lemmon's Viewpoint. A plaque here commemorates a firefighter who gave his life fighting forest fires near here. The views from the point are really good up and down the river.

Above Ecola Falls

Weisendanger Falls

Cascades of water eventually pouring into Multnomah Falls

Weisendanger Falls

Beautiful fall day along the trail

Deck above Multnomah Falls

Above Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of icy water, lets you experience the power and beauty of nature up close and with ease. According to Native American lore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe.