물 forest 산 tree 나무들 water waterfalls woods 자연 valley 숲 녹색 폭포 하이킹 waterfall 트레일 hiking trees green iansane nature mountain 나무 계곡 trail

Weisendanger Falls - Height 55' - Elevation 950'

Many of us can think back with fond memories of family rituals that are dear. For us hiking in the Columbia River Gorge was a yearly event that would take place just before the start of the school year. I would spend an entire day with our daughters, one child at a time to make the occasion more personal, climbing Larch Mountain Trail #441. Over the years there have been countless hikers who have made the one mile trek to the top of Multnomah Falls but we would go beyond that level, sometimes to the very end where the trail concludes at Sherrard Point on Larch Mountain at an elevation gain of 4,010 feet and making it a 14.4 mile round trip. Some Oregonians might remember the story of the infamous wedding party that was taking part in a photo shoot while standing on the Benson Bridge. A boulder the size of a bus fell out of the side of Multnomah Falls spraying the entire group with water and shards of rocks when it struck the bottom. A couple of people had to be taken to the hospital with minor injuries. That was September 4, 1995. This was the year our beloved hiking ritual commenced. Lacey (my oldest) and I were there on that particular day. In fact, we had just finished hiking and were making our way to the car just as the wedding party arrived to conduct their photo shoot. It wasn’t until the evening that we heard what had happened on the news. With that in mind I would like to share this picture. It is Weisendanger Falls which is about a half mile (I’m guessing) above the upper viewpoint of Multnomah Falls. If you ever feel energetic enough to hike above and beyond the Multnomah Falls upper viewpoint you will see even more beautiful water falls, both large and small. The picture of Multnomah Creek with the stone bridge I shared yesterday is also just above the top. Plus, you’ll burn several calories because this hike is considered “strenuous” or “difficult” by numerous hiking books and websites. It’s a real killer! Especially if you’re carrying a tripod and a backpack loaded with camera gear. =)