Last Falls on the List
Posted: April 9th, 2023, 7:23 am
My father had never really hiked growing up. Soccer and biking were his things. But when I was very little, he saw a TV special on waterfalls, featuring Bloom and Cohen, the authors of "Romance of Waterfalls". He bought the book and tried taking me to Wahclella Falls. And that's how waterfalls and hiking took over!
That first hike was in 2000. During 2001-2007 we went hiking often, mainly searching for new waterfalls. We hit most of the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls in that time, as well as many others around the PNW.
However, there were a few Columbia Gorge Waterfalls that evaded us. My father was hesitant about taking me to Gorton Creek Falls because the book talked about difficult scrambles; we did not go there until 2014. Then there was the Lacamas Lake trails with their waterfalls; we got there in 2015. Duncan Creek was avoided because of the unclear directions and troubles with private property, but we were able to go in 2020, being careful to stay on trail. Eagle Creek to Seven Mile Falls was another one that my father had avoided because of the cliffs and its length; I finally got around to that hike with a friend in 2022. Easily my favorite Columbia Gorge Hike.
And then came the last falls on the list: Slide Creek Falls. We had gone to Nick Eaton Falls and Pacific Crest Falls but my father had always avoided Slide Creek Falls because of the length and the book's report that the trail can be rough sometimes. Well, the rough trail part is certainly true.
That didn't stop me though! My friend and I made it all the way up to Slide Creek Falls yesterday, 2023, checking off the last falls on the list. I can now say I've been to every on-trail waterfall in the Columbia Gorge between Troutdale and Hood River (plus tons of offtrail in 2014-2016; I was the high school OwlEyes that posted in the offtrail forum at that time).
I guess it's on to something else now. Maybe more offtrail stuff. Maybe more mountains and peaks. Who knows? Happy adventures!
- This book has seen some better days...
We have a "nice" copy that's autographed. - 338721505_1203725646940554_5010078122851382192_n.jpg (6.96 KiB) Viewed 10800 times
- 2007: Wahkeena Creek bridge destroyed by a fallen tree.
- Returned with my father and fiance in 2023.
- Herman Creek Trail above Casey Creek. With my friend.
- Slide Creek Falls!