Wahkeena Falls — Local services in Washougal

Wahkeena Falls has a total 242-foot drop, but the drop is more gentle than some of the others as it cascades down. My photo is of the lower falls. The name is an English translation of a Native American phrase meaning ‘most beautiful’. Wahkeena Falls is along the River Highway, about 13 miles east of Troutdale, Oregon. A 0.2-mile hike from the parking lot at the base leads to the stone bridge that crosses the main part of the falls. That trail continues on east to Multnomah Falls, the next falls to the east. We actually left our car here and took this trail to Multnomah, since we found a decent parking space. It was very crowded, and when we returned from viewing Wahkeenah, we saw traffic bumper-to-bumper for the .6 miles to Multnomah. It was backed up farther on the road in both directions and parked solid on the shoulders, even where there weren’t shoulders. The falls were very pretty but I think the parking problem affects some of...

Parking was tight the Saturday after Christmas. A surprising number of people had stopped to look at the Falls even though it was raining moderately heavily. About 10% made the hike up to the top of Wahkeena creek. The fire damage of September 2017 was mild to moderate here. There is a lot of charred large tree trunks from the ground to 8-15 feet up but most of those trees look to be in good shape. Only near the top of the trail were there extensive small trees devastated and the bark of the tall trees charred from the ground up to 40-60 feet high. Visibility near the forest floor is much greater now which creates a strangely unfamiliar feeling to hiking. The last (highest) bridge is replaced as are some of the trail signs. Interestingly many old signs are undamaged even near majorly...

We took a family trip to Wahkeena Falls in Portland with my 5-year-old nephew, and it was an adventure we'll never forget! The hike was longer than we expected, but the scenic views and promise of a stunning waterfall kept us motivated. And oh, was it worth it! The falls were breathtaking, and my little nephew's eyes widened with wonder as we approached the misty veil. The trail was well-maintained, and the lush forest surroundings made us feel like we were in a magical world. Despite the length of the hike, my nephew had a blast exploring and spotting wildflowers along the way. We were all so proud of him for pushing through and making it to the falls. If you're looking for a fun and rewarding outdoor adventure with family, Wahkeena Falls is a must-visit destination...