The best thing about Wahkeena Falls is you don't have to hike far for the payoff. The best part of the waterfall is only about 0.2 miles from the parking lot -- great for out-of-shape, lazy people like me who don't like hiking. Haha. But seriously, this place is absolutely beautiful. Like other great places in nature, most pictures, videos, and words do not do this place justice. You have to see and experience it for yourself in person. It's worth it, even just for the main part of the falls at the bottom.
Note: There's another Yelp listing for the Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wahkeena-falls-loop-trail-troutdale My review here is for both Wahkeena Falls and the Multnomah-Wahkeena Trail Loop, based on the segment of the trail that we hiked.
Wahkeena Falls is located just down the highway (Historic Columbia River Hwy) from the more popular, touristy, and congested Multnomah Falls. It's a great alternative if you want to avoid the crowds at Multnomah. We visited Wahkeena on a Friday from around 11am to 1pm. At that time, several parking spots were available in the free public lot on the north side of the highway. However, by the time we left, most of the spots were taken. Someone waited for our spot as we loaded into our car to leave.
I have to give a shout-out to the employee who directed traffic and answered people's questions as they drove by. He was very friendly and helpful. I wish I'd gotten his name so I could mention it here.
According to the maps posted on the signs along the trail, I think we hiked over 1.1 miles past Lemmons Viewpoint and Fairy Falls. Fairy Falls' elevation is 960 feet and Wahkeena Falls' elevation is 560 feet. Therefore, we hiked more than 400 feet upwards in elevation. I say "more than" because it was also a hike up from the parking lot to the entrance (base) and from the entrance to Wahkeena Falls. Hiking over a mile with that elevation change was a workout for this sedentary 42-year-old. Bring water and snacks.
We hiked on a mostly sunny day. The views were incredible, not only looking north towards Hartman Pond, Benson Lake, the Columbia River, and Washington state, but along the trail itself. The undisturbed terrain, valleys and sharp inclines, trees, streams, moss, plants, the way the light shined through, there's nothing else like it. I felt like I was in a painting or a movie or a video game. Breathtaking, really.
If you're not into hiking and/or have small kids or elderly people with you, hiking to Wahkeena Falls from the parking lot is short and easy enough. I recommend it.
A porta-john was located at the base of the trail on/near the sidewalk. That was the only restroom I saw.
Wahkeena Falls is situated about 30 miles east of Portland, Oregon. It typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes to drive to the falls from the city.
Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, and the Multnomah-Wahkeena Trail Loop are part of the larger Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: https://www.yelp.com/biz/columbia-river-gorge-national-scenic-area-hood-river read more