Wahkeena Falls (Original art by Jamey Pyles)

Upper section of Wahkeena Falls, also called The Necktie (Steve Hart)

Lower portion of Wahkeena Falls (Steve Hart)

• Hikes including this location:
  • Wahkeena Falls Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Fairy Falls Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Devils Rest via Wahkeena Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Multnomah Falls-Devils Rest Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 45.57426, -122.12759
• Elevation: 200 feet
• Height: 242 feet

Description

Wahkeena Falls is one of the more popular destinations in the Columbia River Gorge and has a beauty all its own. It's not a single tall plunge like Multnomah Falls or Latourell Falls, and there's no lodge or freeway exit here. Wahkeena Creek tumbles in a least three twisting tiers, the uppermost known as The Necktie. It's just beautiful. A trail goes up from the Historic Highway from the parking area to the base of the falls, crossing a curved stone arch bridge. The bridge, like the Benson Bridge at Multnomah Falls, was financed by Historic Columbia River Highway advocate Simon Benson.

In 1915, a Mazamas committee was charged with renaming confusing locations in the Gorge. The falls was originally known as Gordon Falls, creating confusion with Gorton Creek Falls near Cascade Locks. "Wahkeena" is a Yakama word meaning "most beautiful."

More Links

• Wahkeena Falls (USFS)
• Wahkeena Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
• "Wahkeena Falls and Wahkeena Creek, Oregon" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)]

Contributors

• Stevefromdodge (creator)