Multnomah Falls is about 30 minutes outside of Portland toward the end of the Columbia River Gorge.
From oregon.com:
Visiting Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of icy water, lets you experience the power and beauty of nature up close and with ease. From the parking area off of I-84, a 5-minute walk is all that separates you from the exhilarating spray at the base of the falls.
According to Native American lore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. Although you can see the top portion of the falls from the highway, to view both tiers you have to walk to the viewing area located in a carved-out opening in the rock face. Tilting your head up in the narrow rocky confines of the steep cliffs, you get a mind-boggling perspective on the sheer magnitude of the falls.
For an even closer view, walk another several hundred feet up the paved trail to reach Benson Bridge, which spans the falls at the first tier’s misty base. Standing on the bridge you have a perfect view of the top tier’s full 542-foot height and a knee-wobbling vantage point over the second tier’s 69-foot drop! The bridge is named for Simon Benson, a prominent Portland businessman who owned the falls in the early part of the 1900s. Before his death, Benson gave Multnomah Falls to the City of Portland, which later transferred ownership to the USDA Forest Service.
Benson Bridge is noted by #1 in this photo:
Also from oregon.com:
From Benson Bridge, hike another mile up a very steep path to reach the top of the falls. Here you will be rewarded, weather permitting, with spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge. The trail may be closed due to hazardous conditions so make sure to check with the rangers before embarking. (Steep drop-offs and uneven or slick walking surfaces make this trail dangerous for children.)
The steep one-mile trail leading from the base of the falls to the top is loved by locals for its views, wildflowers, and comparative lack of visitors.
The top of the falls is noted by #2 in the above photo.
This is what it looked like from the top:
Beautiful.
LATER THIS WEEK:
- Critter Farm
- Cannon Beach
September 6, 2012 at 4:28 am
The great view from the top is worth the exhausting hike before. You did such a varied tour Justina!
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 4:53 am
I’m trying not to scream at that third photo. Husband is still asleep.
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 5:50 am
Breathtakingly beautiful!
(I like tagging along on your vacations…you see some fun stuff!) 🙂
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 7:24 am
that’s a gorgeous view!
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 7:32 am
Okay. You’re both officially crazy. *wink*
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 7:40 am
The view from the top is exhilarating! Gorgeous pics and it looks like a wonderful vacation full of fantastic sights.
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 10:00 am
Golly! Wished I knew you were in Oregon! I live not far from Multnomah Falls…..Door is always open, coffee is always on, and the guest bed is always ready for a guest or two.
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 10:41 am
We love the waterfall and we did the parts of the trail with the other smaller waterfalls the last time we were in Oregon. We call Multnomah Falls, Mushmouth because my granddaughter couldn’t pronounce it correctly. That entire area is so beautiful. Cannon Beach and Lincoln City is two more of our favorite spots. Glad you had a great trip.
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 11:45 am
Oh boy, I’d be gasping for breath after a climb like that! Great view and a gorgeous waterfall.
LikeLike
September 6, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Ah, Miss Chef was there on a school trip long ago. She printed a poster from a photo she took there, and it now hangs in our bedroom. The view from the top is spectacular, but after barely making it up Chimney Rock, I’m willing to bet I couldn’t climb a mile.
LikeLike
September 8, 2012 at 10:15 am
Just stunning place! Amazing to see this bridge!
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 11:57 am
Love these pics, with the arrows and notations. What an amazing place. I really need to go visit the PNW……
Thank you for taking us along!
LikeLike