Portland: Wahclella Falls
Visit four waterfalls amid huge Douglas firs and boulders carpeted in shaggy moss on this 3.4-mile lollipop loop in the Columbia River Gorge.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 3.1
Waypoints
WFT001
Location: 45.629150390625, -121.964050292969
Head E on fire road lined with bramble bushes to pick up Trail 400. Railroad trestle on L; trail climbs steadily
WFT002
Location: 45.6302833557129, -121.955986022949
Turn L @ T; sporadic views of the Columbia River and Bonneville Dam
WFT003
Location: 45.6308822631836, -121.95531463623
Take R onto abandoned paved road. In 100 yds., turn R toward Wahclella Falls
WFT004
Location: 45.6313667297363, -121.953964233398
Take dirt trail along roaring Tanner Creek. Canyon wall on L
WFT005
Location: 45.6275177001953, -121.953765869141
In spring, salmon leap up the fish ladder in the rapids on R; huge Douglas firs
WFT006
Location: 45.6268005371094, -121.953636169434
Photo op: A curtain of whitewater falls near wooden bridge
WFT007
Location: 45.623851776123, -121.952346801758
Trail climbs 25 wooden steps up to a viewpoint overlooking an unnamed fall cascading on opposite side of Tanner Creek. After viewpoint, swing L and continue climbing
WFT008
Location: 45.6222114562988, -121.951530456543
Wooden bridge spans river; begin lollipop loop (head S)
WFT009
Location: 45.6202850341797, -121.95093536377
Wahclella Falls drops 350 ft. over two tiers into a deep pool
WFT010
Location: 45.6190986633301, -121.951133728027
Pass another horsetail-shaped waterfall. Ahead on L is a rocky overhang
WFT011
Location: 45.6192169189453, -121.951599121094
Take long wooden bridge over Tanner Creek; splendid views of river and canyons on both sides
WFT012
Location: 45.6206817626953, -121.951835632324
Continue N and close loop @ WPT 8; backtrack to trailhead