Columbia Gorge, Oregon
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Elowah & McCord Creek Falls Columbia Gorge, Oregon |
April 22, 2017
This is the scheduled last day in the Columbia River Gorge for Gary and me; so despite the poor weather, we must make the best of it. It isn't raining at the moment, so perhaps we'll be lucky.
View from our motel room
On the access road to our trailhead is a rest stop, where we photographers are once again waylaid by a plethora of photogenic flora.
Wandering Daisy
Sierra Nevada Agoseris
Purple Deadnettle
Scurfi Twiglet
Two obvious non-hikers inquire about parking times, then head up to the restroom.
Our guess is a preparation for a clothing commercial
This guy just happens to be lying at the edge of the parking lot
Gary and I find the desired trailhead and set out up the hill. Almost immediately we are treated to a signpost proclaiming that the Elowah Falls Trail is closed due to a washout. That's a shame, because that waterfall is near the top of my local bucket list.
Instead, we turn onto the alternative route, which we were going to explore eventually in any case.
The McCord Creek Trail
Gary wants an EARTH DAY evidence shot
Around the corner is a pleasant surprise. It seems that we will see the elusive falls after all. What a treat!
Elowah Falls, 213'
Some references state the height of those falls as
289 feet, apparently including the upper falls
in the measurement. That designation conflicts with the
fact that the two waterfalls are named as separate entities,
however; so they will be treated as such.
Serious flower photography is in progress ahead
Somewhat sooner than expected, our hunt is over. These double falls are beautiful!
Upper McCord Creek Falls, 76' (see Addendum)
This is why I go hiking
The trail continues up the hill, as most all of them do around here; but no other attractions are nearby.
Starting back down, past an old water-supply pipe
Now it is time for Gary and me to do some serious photography of our own. This wonderful cliff is covered by colorful plants and flowers.
Cliff Paintbrush
Broadleaf Stonecrop
Oregon Saxifrage
Shield Lichen
Valerian
The barge is struggling to get upstream
Back at the trail junction, a woman is returning from the closed trail. She says that the washout is pretty bad, but that some others are braving it anyway. In any case, the situation is worth checking out; for I am not averse to a little excitement, within reason.
A lengthy series of switchbacks commences
Elowah Falls
We have reached the problem area. Just a few inches of trail remain potentially walkable, and I am sure that I could handle it. In fact, a big dog just scampered right across the place. The slide area is straight down perhaps sixty feet or so to the creek, however; and there would be nothing whatever to grab if the mud were to collapse under one's feet. Because this delicate crossing is an "If you slip, you could die" scenario, those odds are a bit too daunting for me.
That having been said, a dozen teenage girls show up, and several of them do make the crossing by detouring above the hole, grabbing a convenient tree root for security, then plunging into a companion's arms. I could do that as well, I suppose; but because of the weather, I deem the potential reward not to be worth the effort today. I'll be back.
Youngsters tend to have little fear, and some have little brains
On the trail above the damaged area, a very thin piece of rope tied to a tree lies on the ground, and it is long enough to stretch down to the other trail segment; but I wouldn't trust it for a second myself. With no regrets whatever, Gary and I return to the trailhead; besides, we scored some outstanding shots of Elowah Falls anyway.
Our walk ends on firm ground
§: This was a most enjoyable outing. Both of these falls are gorgeous. Another nearby attraction, Wahclella Falls, also has been closed due to trail damage; so it appears that our waterfall hunt in this gorge is finished for the time being.
After the hike, Gary and I stop at Oneonta Gorge, where one can walk up the stream itself to a great waterfall. Perhaps I'll do that sometime; but today it suffices us to wander up the canyon as far as possible on dry ground, which is just a few hundred feet.
Back at the footbridge, a man is testing his remotely controlled toy. Gary would like to have one of those, so he inquires about the make and model.
A drone invades Oneonta Gorge
There being some time to spare, it is convenient to head over to the nearby Bonneville Dam. We arrive just in time for the afternoon tour of the original facility that was put into operation in 1938.
This turbine lasted 60 years
10 generators here
There is quite a collection of memorabilia on display, including this most unlikely drawing:
That's what the flag looked like in 1938
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Flowers | |
| Solitude | |
ADDENDUM & UPDATE
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On September 2, much of the Columbia Gorge was burned by a teenaged
boy who threw lit fireworks into the forest while his companions watched. |
The incomprehensibly stupid boy was accompanied by a number of incomprehensibly stupid others who did nothing to stop him. This is what McCord Creek Falls looks like eight months later (not my photo):
As of 2021, the trail has been reopened
