Latourell Falls {Columbia River Gorge}

I was up in Portland at my parents house for the weekend, mainly to do a little shopping :), so I decided to hit the Columbia River Gorge while my mama was at her exercise class.  Latourell Falls is the closest hike to the Portland area and was a relatively shorter hike.  

Beginning from the Latourell Falls Trailhead, follow the paved viewpoint trail up to the viewpoint. From there, a dirt path leads away to the left, steeply around the basin. Look for side views of the falls, particularly at this time since the trees didn't have any leaves. The trail climbs for about 1/3 of a mile to a bench at the top of the falls. There's a side trail here that drops down to an unimproved log that functions as a bridge of sorts. This side trail shortcuts the loop, shaving about a mile from the trip. But I did not take the bridge, kept going southward.

The main trail continues southward beside the creek. The trail here is rocky in places and the undergrowth next to the trail is very thick, blocking most views in the summer. The trail crosses four small wooden bridges and then comes to Upper Latourell Falls. This waterfall is a two tiered drop, first a block fall that's almost hidden and then a plunge into a pool. The trail crosses Latourell Creek at the base of the falls and heads back down the west side of the creek.

Past the log "bridge", the trail comes to a bench overlooking a rock point. It's obvious that many people venture past a cable and out on to this point, but it's equally obvious that one false step or gust of wind will plummet those people 249 feet down to the splash pool. The main trail climbs to another bench at a viewpoint that's overgrown with new fir trees. Then the trail slabs down the ridge to the Highway.

Hikers can return to the trailhead by hiking across the bridge, but there's more trail fun to be had. Across the road, there's an old set of stairs that start a trail dropping down into Guy Talbot Park. Guy Talbot is the man that owned Latourell Falls. The trail drops down to a parking area with picnic tables. From there another paved trail head back under the highway bridge to the base of Latourell Falls. At the falls, the lichen covered columnar basalt formations around the falls steal the show. From here, it's a short, paved, uphill hike to the lot.

It was a wonderful easier hike to do on days where you don't have much time, but still want to get out there and get a little bit of a workout! Afterward I drove by Crown Point and had to see that amazing view from there as well! Such a stunning day!

Later that evening I went out to McMinnamins Edgefield, which isn't too far from this hike. I highly recommend doing a day trip of hiking in the morning and then headed out to the original McMinnamins here! It was my first time and I loved it! It feels like Vegas or its own little world! :)

• Date of hike: February 21st, 2015

• Distance: 3 Mile Loop

• Elevation gain: 520 Feet

• Difficulty: Easy

• Mile Mark: 246

At Upper Latourell Falls

 Beginning of the trailhead

 Upper Latourell Falls

Lower Latourell Falls

 Upper Latourell Falls

 It most surely was!

The bridge, dating from 1914 is interesting in its own right, with special lightweight construction due to the instable soils in the area. 

View from Crown Point :)

 Later that night I went wine tasting at McMennamins Edgefield! My first time there! It was so lovely!