The temperatures had been quite cold for a week, accompanied by some snow on Friday. So, Saturday morning around 10:30a I headed over to the Gorge to do a waterfall circuit. The temps were in the teens - 20's but there was no wind. I started by exiting at Bridal Veil Falls exit and turning west to go back to Latourell Falls. I had never visited this falls. The old highway in this section is narrow and was snow/ice covered. But the parking lot was evidence that other people had the same thought as me - to see the frozen falls. The short walk to the lower falls was ice free until the last bit. I had my yaktrax on, so it was no problem. The photographers took turns standing at the end and snapping the photo.
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| Latourell Falls |
Next up was a brief stop at Wakena, but I knew the hike up there was paved and steep and probably icy. I didn't risk it.
Found a parking spot right away at Multnomah Falls even though the upper parking lot was already full of visitors. Everyone was out enjoying the sun and the ice. It was other-worldly!
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| upper Multnomah Falls |
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| people viewing the falls |
Horsetail falls was next on the circuit. It was beautiful! I probably could have hiked up to Ponytail falls and beyond to Triple falls, but I hadn't planned on it and I really wanted to see Elowah. So Horsetail had to suffice at this stop.
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| Horsetail Falls |
I headed east on the old highway but instead of veering right like I should have, I veered left and ended back on Hwy 84. Oh well. I figured that I might as well visit Wahclella Falls since I was going that direction. Wahclella is a 2 mi rt hike. The trail was pretty clear of ice.
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| Wahclella Falls |
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| Wahclella Falls pano |
I headed west again to Elowah Falls. The lot was full of cars but some people were taking off gear and getting ready to leave. Apparently they had just hiked to Nesmith Point! That is 10 mi 3800 ft gain hike, in the snow. They were tough. They pulled out a car so I could park. Elowah is a 1.6 mi RT hike. No problems on the trail. And the waterfall bowl was amazing, the most beautiful of all.
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| Everything was encased in ice. The wind usually howls in this "bowl" but not today, fortunately. Or I would have been covered in ice too! |
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| the path |
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| plant stems |
A beautiful day! I thank God I was able to enjoy it!
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