Revision as of 02:34, 7 March 2018

Bridge at base of Latourell Falls (Steve Hart)

Latourell Falls in spring (Steve Hart)

Latourell Falls (Steve Hart)

• Start point: Latourell Falls Trailhead
• End Point: Upper Latourell Falls
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Elevation gain: 625 feet
• High point: 620 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: Year round except during winter storms
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: Yes

Hike Description

Latourell Falls is the closest of the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls to Portland, and it's also one of the most photogenic. A tall single-plunge waterfall of 224 feet, it spills over the lip of an undercut amphitheater of massive pillars of columnar basalt. A massive splash of chartreuse-colored lichen - Golden cobblestone lichen (Pleopsidium flavum) - adorns the upper amphitheater and contrasts with the dark basalt walls. You can view these lower falls from a point just above the trailhead, but the loop hike here takes you up Latourell Creek to see two-tiered Upper Latourell Falls before winding down to the state park picnic area below the highway. Then you can hike up the narrow gorge to the base of Latourell Falls and admire the plunge and basalt columns from below. The waterfalls are beautiful in all seasons, but in the summer, the water flow is very low, creating near misty conditions; in the winter, the splash freezes everywhere.

The falls are named after Joseph Latourell, a 19th century settler of the area who became postmaster of the Rooster Rock Post Office in 1887. The Latourell family had a house, now banned but still standing, near the current state park picnic area. The land here was donated by Guy W. Talbot (and the state park named after him) in 1929.

The most interesting hike is a 2.4 mile loop visiting Latourell Falls, Upper Latourell Falls and Guy Talbot Park. Beginning from the Latourell Falls Trailhead, follow the paved viewpoint trail up to the viewpoint. From there, a dirt path leads away to the left, steeply around the basin. Look for side views of the falls, particularly in the winter, when the trees have lost their leaves. The trail climbs for about 1/3 of a mile to a bench at the top of the falls. There's a side trail here that drops down to an unimproved log that functions as a bridge of sorts. This side trail shortcuts the loop, shaving about a mile from the trip.

The main trail continues southward beside the creek. The trail here is rocky in places and the undergrowth next to the trail is very thick, blocking most views in the summer. The trail crosses four pleasant, small wooden bridges and then comes to Upper Latourell Falls. This waterfall is a two tiered drop, first a block fall that's almost hidden and then a plunge into a pool. The trail crosses Latourell Creek at the base of the falls and heads back down the west side of the creek.

Past the log "bridge", the trail comes to a bench overlooking a rock point. It's obvious that many people venture past a cable and out on to this point, but it's equally obvious that one false step or gust of wind will plummet those people 249 feet down to the splash pool. The main trail climbs to another bench at a viewpoint that's overgrown with new fir trees. Then the trail slabs down the ridge to the Highway.

Hikers can return to the trailhead by hiking across the bridge, but there's more trail fun to be had. Across the road, there's an old set of stairs that start a trail dropping down into Guy Talbot Park. Guy Talbot is the man that owned Latourell Falls. The trail drops down to a parking area with picnic tables. From there another paved trail head back under the highway bridge to the base of Latourell Falls. The bridge, dating from 1914 is interesting in its own right, with special lightweight construction due to the instable soils in the area. At the falls, the lichen covered columnar basalt formations around the falls steal the show. From here, it's a short, paved, uphill hike to the lot.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder
• Historic Columbia River Highway Map (Friends of Multnomah Falls)
• Green Trails Maps: Bridal Veil, OR #428
• Green Trails Maps: Columbia River Gorge - West #428S
• Geo-Graphics: Trails of the Columbia Gorge
• National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• Day-use only: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Restrooms, picnic tables, interpretive signs
• Dogs on leash

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Latourell Falls

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Latourell Falls

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• Take a Walk: Portland by Brian Barker
• Curious Gorge by Scott Cook
• Best Easy Day Hikes: Portland, Oregon by Lizann Dunegan
• Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
• 35 Hiking Trails: Columbia River Gorge by Don & Roberta Lowe
• The Columbia Gorge: Short Trips and Trails by Oral Bullard & Don Lowe
• Oregon State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide by Jan Bannan
• Canine Oregon by Lizann Dunegan

• Day Hike! Columbia Gorge, by Seabury Blair, Jr.
• Afoot and Afield Portland/Vancouver, by Douglas Lorain
• 35 Hiking Trails, Columbia River Gorge, by Don & Roberta Lowe
• Columbia River Gorge, 42 Scenic Hikes, by Don & Roberta Lowe
• Hiking the Columbia River Gorge - 1st and 2nd Editions, by Russ Schneider
• 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon - 3rd Edition, by William L Sullivan

More Links

• Guy W. Talbot State Park (Oregon State Parks)
• Latourell Falls Long Loop Hike (Northwest Hiker)
• Latourell Falls Short Hike (Northwest Hiker)
• Latourell Falls Loop (Friends of the Columbia Gorge)
• Latourell Falls Loop (Friends of the Columbia Gorge)
• Latourell Falls (Washington Trails Association)
• "Latourell, Oregon" (The Columbia River: A Photographic Journey)
• Latourell Falls Hike (Outdoor Project)
• Latourell Falls - 2.4 miles (ProTrails)
• "Latourell Falls in the Columbia Gorge" (Via Magazine)
• Latourell Falls Loop Hike — Columbia River Gorge, Oregon (backcountrycow)
• Day Hike: Latourell Falls Loop (UrbanBlissLife)
• Latourell Falls (World of Waterfalls)
• Latourell Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
• "Vista House, 2 trails now open in Gorge" (Portland Tribune)

Contributors

• Stevefromdodge (creator)