Wahkeena Falls Day Use/Picnic Area/Trailhead — Attraction in Washougal

We know we've entered the waterfalls area of the Historic Columbia Highway tour to Multnomah Falls when we get to Wahkeena Falls. This is the first waterfalls after you enter the highway from the Bridal Veil exit from I 84 East. No exit to here going West on I 84. The road continues through the falls past Multnomah Falls and eventually leads to on ramp of I 84 East again.

Beautiful detour, but please do not take if you're in a hurry. The road is narrow, historic (old) and has the minimum of railing in many places. If you're a new driver, I don't encourage you to drive as you may be minus a rear view mirror as the tour is so awesome it's hard to keep car in between narrow lanes and one place there's a wall that pins you close.

Recent snows and heavy rains have softened the hills and slides have brought down rocks and dirt to close the road until crews cleared the road. I believe the road is open again (spring break 2017). Our trip last time was at the end of a big snow, right before the thaw.

Our tradition is to drive up one time a season, perhaps more if we have guests visit from out of town. Over the years the roads and falls have become more crowded. Parking is sparse during the weekends and you must not leave valuables in your car where they can be seen. If you can, leave your valuables at home. Our hiking days are in the past, so we may stop and commune a few minutes, but then we resume our tour.

Several times a year, visitors slide off the side of these hills as the trails can be steep and are usually wet. Even in the summer months they could be slick from dampness. Be kind to others and keep your pets on lease and do take something to pack out the waste.

Best to follow the old traditions: Take only photos and leave only footprints. It's the way we can save the beauty for the future. If nature makes a mess, that's one thing, when we leave a mess,...

This is a cool spot, and it's the worthwhile stop on the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway (Hwy 30). Wahkeena Falls main drop is higher up, though you can see it from down near the road and lower area. There's a good view looking up from here where you see the creek flowing down the hillside, with the various drops of the waterfall above. It's a pretty beautiful sight, the way it twists and turns. If you make the hike up towards the main lower drop, there's a great view from the footbridge of Wahkeena Falls. If you continue up the trail from here you will pass Fairy Falls, and then you will eventually end up top what's a trail that connects to other areas of the gorge. If you look at a map and study the trails you can make it a round-trip hike from here. Just make sure to have a map and know the trails...

Excellent hike up from Wahkeena Falls trailhead ending at Multnomah Falls. The total hike is just over 5 miles. This is definitely not a beginners hike as the climb is quite steep and challenging. The trail is in good shape and offers some excellent views of both cascading waterfalls and peek-a-boo views of the Columbia River. Plan for at least three hours, so pack water and a snack and wear good, comfortable shoes. Trail is dog friendly, so bring your furry friend if they are younger and in shape! Parking at Wahkeena Falls day use area was reasonable as long as you arrive fairly early in the morning. On a nice day after 9am it gets very constrained and you may need to catch the shuttle from the...