February 12, 2016
Wahclella Falls Trailhead – Columbia River Gorge:
Part 1/3 – Wauna Viewpoint
One of the greatest things about living in Portland, Oregon is the proximity to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Spending under an hour in the car from downtown Portland, the Gorge is within easy reach and is a prime area for trail runners, hikers, cyclists, photographers, and tourists. There you can find some of the most unique scenery in the country with dramatic topographical features and several picturesque waterfalls.
The Wahclella Falls Trailhead, one of a countless number of trailheads in the Gorge, provides three great hiking options from just one spot. This is a great option if you want to park once and hike more than one trail. From here, one can trek to Wahclella Falls (easy), Wauna Viewpoint (medium), or Munra Point (difficult). On this day I arrived in mid-afternoon and with clear and sunny skies I decided a great view from Wauna Viewpoint would be ideal with the time that I had.
There is a limited amount of parking at the trailhead with only maybe 8-10 spots and a couple of handicap parking spots so expect that it may be full on a nice day. (There is a little bit of room on the shoulder coming off of the exit before the stop sign if the lot is full. Overflow parking is also available about a half mile east at the Tooth Rock Trailhead.) From the lot, head back towards the intersection to connect with trail #400, the Gorge Trail, on your right (East). There will be a wooden sign where the trail meets the pavement marking the distance to the Wauna Viewpoint Trail and the Eagle Creek Trailhead (one of the most popular trailheads in the Gorge and another good place to start for this hike).
Take the trail and, although still within earshot of the I-84, you’re surrounded by GREEN! And it should be because this part of the Gorge sees about 100 inches of rain per year!
The Forest Service does a great job of maintaining the trails. Everyone once-in-a-while there will be a downed tree to hurdle. In this case, they trimmed the tree so that you can still pass under.
There’s nothing quite like being among tall trees!
In the middle section of the trail, as you near the utility lines coming from the Bonneville Dam, the trail widens along access roads. Just keep heading East and you will see a couple more wooden signs marking the Gorge Trail. Not long after you will come to a clear fork in the trail where the Wauna Viewpoint Trail meets the Gorge Trail. Take the Wauna Viewpoint Trail (#402) and start your climb.
Part of the trail near the top had somewhat recently experienced a landslide but there is a clear path to bypass and you shouldn’t have any problem. Wauna Viewpoint is about a mile from the trail junction and just under a +500′ elevation change where you will find a fantastic view. Arrive earlier in the day and you won’t need to deal with shadows and a setting sun in your photos!
This is an amazing view of the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks, OR. This photo doesn’t quite show it, but you will also be able to view the top of Mt. Adams (center-left, where the clouds are).
This view is looking North into Washington at Table Mountain with the Bonneville Dam, one of several dams along the Columbia River, down below.
I recommend this trail if you’re looking for a great view but a not-so-strenuous hike. As a bonus, add on a hike at Wahclella Falls and you’ve got yourself a great afternoon at the Gorge!
Category: Hiking
Tags: Bonneville Dam, Columbia River Gorge, Gorge Trail, Hamilton Mountain, Historic Columbia River Highway Trail, Mt. Adams, Table Mountain, Wahclella Falls Trailhead, Wauna Viewpoint
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