Summer 02
Wahkeena Falls Hike
49 Photos
Wahkeena Falls
The trail where photos were taken is colored red.
This hike begins at the parking area designated for Wahkeena Falls
Here you see the lower end of the Wahkeena Falls complex
And here you see the upper portion of the falls area
As you cross Wahkeena Creek this sign indicates destinations
The first quarter mile or so of the trial is paved
A single switchback before you reach the bridge at the base of the falls
The climb here is gentle
This is the main Wahkeena Falls
After crossing the bridge in front of the falls, you get this view looking back
A little further from the falls as you prepare to climb
Even a place to rest and contemplate the beauty
Now the climb begins
The trail now begins a series of well placed switchbacks
This hike is great any time of year
The trail is well graved most of the way up this part
It is one of the best maintained trails in the gorge
And then, it is also one of the most hiked trails in the gorge
Even seats to rest on !
At the top of the switchbacks, you get a fine view of the gorge
Looking east toward Table Mtn and Hamilton Mtn
Now the trail is a bit more primitive but still very well maintained
You cross Wahkeena Creek a couple more times as you climb
Every step brings more beauty to behold, so take lots of film or digital media
This bridge is no longer there as it was destroyed a couple of winters ago
The way it looked after the bridge was destroyed
Fairy Falls is a real gem almost any time of year
The little foot bridge in front of the falls
A look back at Fairy Falls
The climb continues
An old trail marker at the loop intersection
I followed the trail to the right and continued to climb toward Wahkeena Springs
The climb continues
Major intersection which is very well marked
A very short distance to the west you find Wahkeena Springs
Back at that major intersection, bear right and continue to climb a bit further
The climb continues
An old trail marker being devoured by a tree
The climb continues
2nd major intersection that is also very well marked
Follow this sign and the trail back to Wahkeena Falls and the road
The rest of this hike is all downhill so I hope you have good brakes
The trail drops a bit gentle at first
Then it begins to get steep
A few switchbacks keep you under control
The trail descends
One of the few glimpses out of the heavily forested hike
The trail descends
The trail descends
You cross the stream that creates Fairy Falls
And you are back to this intersection - follow the trail downhill to your vehicle
---------------------------------The End of Another Excellent Adventure!-----------------------------------
NW Anthem
Majestic
Big Horizons
Natures Majesty