Elowah Falls (Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, USA)

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Elowah Falls

Elowah Falls is a very nice 289ft waterfall situated in John B. Yeon State Park towards the eastern end of what we perceive to be the "waterfalls area" (i.e. along the historical highway detour) of the Columbia River Gorge. Unlike many of the other major waterfalls in the Gorge, you'll have do a little huffing and puffing to get close to this one (despite its proximity to the highway), but it's not too bad of a walk. Besides, this one doesn't quite get the crowds that the other ones get. If you're real attentive, you might be able to see the falls from the I-84 (I don't recommend drivers do this though).

The 2-mile round trip trail to the falls begins at a car park near the noisy I-84 (see directions below). The first half-mile is all climbing as you rise above the level of the noisy I-84. There's a fork in the trail leading to Upper McCord Creek Falls (which we didn't do). Shortly beyond the fork, the trail crests as it turns into Elowah Canyon where it descends another half-mile over a few switchbacks to the base of the falls.

There's a bridge crossing the creek near its base, but when we were there, it was tremendously misty, windy, and slippery. On the other side of the bridge, the views aren't as impressive, but you do get a more frontal view of the falls.

Directions: If I remember correctly, we accessed the car park and trailhead from the Warrendale Exit off the I-84 (I forget if this exit is reached while you're heading east or west on I-84). If you're on the Old Scenic Hwy, I believe this is at the very east end near where the road merges back onto the I-84 east.

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The trailhead parking almost besides I-84

Julie on the trail amongst tall trees on the ascent

Julie descending towards the falls

Julie getting sprayed as she crossed the bridge before the falls

Julie getting sprayed as she crossed the bridge before Elowah Falls

On the other side of the bridge looking back at Elowah Falls

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Bottom up sweep from the upper viewing area under heavy rain

Bottom up sweep looking directly at the falls

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TRIP REPORTS

For more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.

March 29, 2009

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Gorgeous (Elowah Falls)
One of the most rewarding shorter/easier hikes that I've done. It's definitely worth the very short patches of barely steep inclines. There is a path less ...

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