Difference between revisions of "Lewis River Waterfalls Hike"

Latest revision as of 21:20, 29 November 2022

The Upper Falls on the Lewis River (bobcat)

Lower Lewis River Falls (Steve Hart)

Chickweed monkey flower (Mimulus alsinoides), Lewis River Trail (bobcat)

Middle Lewis River Falls (Steve Hart)

Woods nemophila (Nemophila parviflora), Lewis River Trail (bobcat)

The Lewis River below the Upper Falls (bobcat)

Tall cedar on the Lewis River Trail (bobcat)

The hike to the Lewis River Waterfalls (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/USFS

Start point: Lower Lewis River Falls Trailhead
End point: Taitnapum Falls
Trail Log: Trail Log
Hike Type: Out and back
Distance: 6.6 miles
Elevation gain: 500 feet
High point: 1,855 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Mid-spring to mid-fall
Family Friendly: Yes
Backpackable: No
Crowded: Yes

The hike up this section of the Lewis River is one of the premier waterfall hikes in our area. You'll see four block waterfalls on the Lewis River itself as well as a couple of minor waterfalls on Copper Creek. Take note that the Lower Falls area is extremely popular, so avoid weekends if you can. In the spring, the waterfalls are at their fullest. However, photographers tend to prefer later seasons when the waterfalls segment into separate picturesque plunges. A hike and bike is possible is you drop a bike off at the Upper Lewis River Trailhead.

From the Lower Lewis River Falls Trailhead, walk to the left of the restrooms into hemlock/Douglas-fir woods with a carpet of vanilla leaf and Oregon grape. At a junction, bear right and then go left to a viewpoint over the Lower Falls, a pretty 43-foot block waterfall, 200 feet wide, that has only a couple of powerful channels in the spring dwindling to several separate segments in the summer. Walk to the right as far as you like for different views of the waterfall. There are literally dozens of vastly different photographic possibilities. There are a couple of informal side paths that lead to the river for views at water level. When you've had your fill of the Lower Falls, head northwards up the trail.

Keep close to the bank with the campground on the left. Wooden steps lead down from the campground to the river. There’s also a boardwalk to a beach with an exposed cliff on the opposite shore. The trail rises above a campsite and meets the junction with the Lewis River Trail #31. Stay right, and find yourself high on a bluff above a bend in the river. Forest Road 90 is close by to your left. You may notice fresh elk trails descending steeply to the river. After you cross a footbridge, you will see, down in the river, the two piers of a former bridge that crossed the river from the former Sheep Bridge Campground to a gaging station; the bridge was also used to herd sheep up to Wright Meadow. In an alder grove, you'll cross a broken footbridge above a creek with a seasonal waterfall tumbling below. Stark burn snags from an old conflagration rise in the woodland. After you pass the junction with the Wright Meadows Trail, keep hiking on the level to pass an old junction and turn left at a "Closed" sign to head uphill. (The main trail is washed out beyond here.)

The trail rises into the woods and then switchbacks to cross a rubble slope. At a gravel parking area, pick up a trail heading into the woods on an old road bed next to FR 90. The trail soon splits from this road bed and drops down to a footbridge over Copper Creek and Copper Creek Falls. One can look back after crossing the bridge to get a good view of these falls. The path then hugs the cliffs above Copper Creek before reaching the Lewis River-Middle Falls Trail Junction. Turn right here to get limited views of Middle Lewis River Falls, a 300-foot-wide block waterfall. At times of low water, you can step out on rocks in the river to get better views. The old trail continues to where it is closed at a footbridge where Lower Copper Creek Falls splashes down towards the Lewis River.

Back on the Lewis River Trail, you'll head along a cliff face decorated with maidenhair fern and a contorted yew. Then you'll pass across a slide area and rise on a narrow trail which heads across another cliff. The trail drops, passing a huge Douglas-fir, good for a photo stop. Drop to a bottomland of cedar, hemlock, Douglas-fir with some silver fir. After you reach the willow flat below Upper Falls, the main trail heads left over a footbridge on Alec Creek, while a spur leads to the river and a view of the waterfall. Then switchback up under a cliff face dripping with moss. The trail switchbacks to the right at the top and heads toward the Upper Falls. A steep spur leads down to fenced views of this 58-foot block waterfall.

Return to the main trail and go right in silver fir forest. The trail drops a little until you reach the viewpoint over Taitnapum Falls. There's no access to the river here, so your only view is from the trail. You may continue another two-thirds of a mile to the end of the trail at the Upper Lewis River Trailhead on FR 90. Otherwise, return the way you came.

Fees, Regulations, etc.

Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required at Lower Falls Recreation Area; $2 reserve in advance parking ticket (see Recreation.gov) additionally required between June 15th and September 30th.
Restrooms, picnic area, nearby campground
Share trail with mountain bikes
$3 toll each way at the Bridge of the Gods

Maps

Maps: Hike Finder
Green Trails Maps: Lone Butte, WA #365
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & Administrative Area
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Adventure Maps: Hood River, Oregon, Trail Map
Adventure Maps: 44 Trails Area plus the best of the G.P.N.F.
National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount St. Helens - Mt. Adams

Trip Reports

Search Trip Reports for Lewis River Waterfalls

Related Discussions / Q&A

Search Trail Q&A for Lewis River Waterfalls

Guidebooks that cover this hike

Hiking Waterfalls in Washington by Roddy Scheer with Adam Sawyer
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland by Paul Gerald
Day Hiking: Mount St. Helens by Craig Romano & Aaron Thiesen
Day Hikes in the Pacific Northwest by Don J. Scarmuzzi
PDX Hiking 365 by Matt Reeder
100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon by William L. Sullivan
Portland Hikes by Art Bernstein & Andrew Jackman
Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington by Susan Elderkin
Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington & the Cascades by Joan Burton
Hiking Washington by Oliver Lazenby
95 Virtual Hikes of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument by Northwest Hiker
33 Hiking Trails: Southern Washington Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
Best Short Hikes in Washington's South Cascades & Olympics by E.M. Sterling & Ira Spring
Washington's South Cascades' Volcanic Landscapes by Marge & Ted Mueller
Washington Hiking by Scott Leonard
Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
Visitor's Guide to the Ancient Forests of Western Washington by the Dittmar Family for the Wilderness Society
Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest by David L. Anderson
Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest by Gregory A. Plumb
Mountain Biking Portland by Scott Rapp

Contributors

Stevefromdodge (creator)

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 [[Category:Creek Hikes]]
 [[Category:Moderate Hikes]]
+[[Category:Old Growth Hikes]]
 [[Category:Hike and Bike]]
 [[Category:Family Hikes]]
 [[Category:Hikes]]
-[[Image:LowerLRFalls1.JPG|thumb|400px|Lower Lewis River Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
+[[Image:Upper Falls, Lewis River.jpg|thumb|400px|The Upper Falls on the Lewis River ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:LowerLRFalls1.JPG|thumb|250px|Lower Lewis River Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
+[[Image:Chickweed monkey flower (Mimulus alsinoides), Lewis River.jpg|thumb|250px|Chickweed monkey flower ''(Mimulus alsinoides)'', Lewis River Trail ''(bobcat)'']]
 [[Image:MiddleLRFalls3.JPG|thumb|250px|Middle Lewis River Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
-[[Image:UpperLRFalls1.JPG|thumb|250px|Upper Lewis River Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
+[[Image:Woods nemophila (Nemophila parviflora), Lewis River.jpg|thumb|250px|Woods nemophila ''(Nemophila parviflora)'', Lewis River Trail ''(bobcat)'']]
-[[Image:LowerCopperCreekFalls1.JPG|thumb|250px|Lower Copper Creek Falls ''(Steve Hart)'']]
+[[Image:Lewis River from Upper Falls, Lewis River.jpg|thumb|250px|The Lewis River below the Upper Falls ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:Large red-cedar, Lewis River.jpg|thumb|160px|Tall cedar on the Lewis River Trail ''(bobcat)'']]
+[[Image:LewisRiverWaterfallsMap2.png|thumb|400px|The hike to the Lewis River Waterfalls ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: ''Caltopo/USFS'']]
 {{Start point|Lower Lewis River Falls Trailhead}}
-* End point:[[Taitnapum Falls]]
+* End point: [[Taitnapum Falls]]
 * Trail Log: [[Lewis River Waterfall Hike/Log | Trail Log]]
 * Hike Type: Out and back
 {{Distance|6.6 miles}}
-{{Elevation gain|320 feet}}
+{{Elevation gain|500 feet}}
+* High point: 1,855 feet
 {{Difficulty|Moderate}}
-* Seasons:Year round
+* Seasons: Mid-spring to mid-fall
 * Family Friendly: Yes
-* Backpackable: Yes
+* Backpackable: No
 * Crowded: Yes
 === Hike Description ===
-This is one of the premier waterfall hikes in our area.
+The hike up this section of the Lewis River is one of the premier waterfall hikes in our area. You'll see four block waterfalls on the Lewis River itself as well as a couple of minor waterfalls on Copper Creek. Take note that the [[Lower Lewis River Falls|Lower Falls]] area is ''extremely'' popular, so avoid weekends if you can. In the spring, the waterfalls are at their fullest. However, photographers tend to prefer later seasons when the waterfalls segment into separate picturesque plunges. A hike and bike is possible is you drop a bike off at the [[Upper Lewis River Trailhead]].
-From the [[Lower Lewis River Falls Trailhead]] make your way down any of the use paths to views of [[Lower Lewis River Falls|Lower Falls]]. The trail on the edge of the bluff is the Lewis River Trail (#31). Walk to the right as far as you like for different views of the waterfall. There are dozens of different segments and literally hundreds of vastly different photographic possibilities. There are a couple of informal side paths that lead to the river for views at water level. When you've had your fill of Lower Falls head back up the Lewis River Trail.
+From the [[Lower Lewis River Falls Trailhead]], walk to the left of the restrooms into hemlock/Douglas-fir woods with a carpet of vanilla leaf and Oregon grape. At a junction, bear right and then go left to a viewpoint over the [[Lower Lewis River Falls|Lower Falls]], a pretty 43-foot block waterfall, 200 feet wide, that has only a couple of powerful channels in the spring dwindling to several separate segments in the summer. Walk to the right as far as you like for different views of the waterfall. There are literally dozens of vastly different photographic possibilities. There are a couple of informal side paths that lead to the river for views at water level. When you've had your fill of the [[Lower Lewis River Falls|Lower Falls]], head northwards up the trail.
-Continue past the trailhead and the restrooms. This first part of the trail travels through the large campground and is quite busy. There are lots of use paths, but if you stay right, you can't go wrong. Soon you'll climb a small hill to the edge of the campground. There's a sign here marking the Lewis River Trail. Continue east up the hill and head upriver.
+Keep close to the bank with the campground on the left. Wooden steps lead down from the campground to the river. There’s also a boardwalk to a beach with an exposed cliff on the opposite shore. The trail rises above a campsite and meets the junction with the Lewis River Trail #31. Stay right, and find yourself high on a bluff above a bend in the river. Forest Road 90 is close by to your left. You may notice fresh elk trails descending steeply to the river. After you cross a footbridge, you will see, down in the river, the two piers of [[Sheep Bridge|a former bridge]] that crossed the river from the former Sheep Bridge Campground to a gaging station; the bridge was also used to herd sheep up to [[Wright Meadow]]. In an alder grove, you'll cross a broken footbridge above a creek with a seasonal waterfall tumbling below. Stark burn snags from an old conflagration rise in the woodland. After you pass the junction with the [[Lewis River-Wright Meadows Trail Junction|Wright Meadows Trail]], keep hiking on the level to pass an old junction and turn left at a "Closed" sign to head uphill. (The main trail is washed out beyond here.)
-The trail soon passes quite near FR 90 and you may hear and see cars. After a bit though the trail drops away from the road and crosses a seasonal waterfall on small footbridge. The concrete remains of [[Sheep Bridge]] are soon visible in the river far below. Next you'll come to a couple of trails coming from the left, first the [[Lewis River-Wright Meadows Trail Junction|Wright Meadows Trail]], the second the [[Lewis River-Middle Falls West Trail Junction|Middle Falls Trail]]. The main trail used to continue straight at this junction, but a landslide has resulted in a detour. A sign in the middle of the trail directs you to switchback uphill to the left to the [[Middle Falls Trailhead|Middle Falls Trailhead]].
+The trail rises into the woods and then switchbacks to cross a rubble slope. At a [[Middle Falls Trailhead|gravel parking area]], pick up a trail heading into the woods on an old road bed next to FR 90. The trail soon splits from this road bed and drops down to a footbridge over Copper Creek and [[Copper Creek Falls]]. One can look back after crossing the bridge to get a good view of these falls. The path then hugs the cliffs above Copper Creek before reaching the [[Lewis River-Middle Falls Trail Junction]]. Turn right here to get limited views of [[Middle Lewis River Falls]], a 300-foot-wide block waterfall. At times of low water, you can step out on rocks in the river to get better views. The old trail continues to where it is closed at a footbridge where [[Lower Copper Creek Falls]] splashes down towards the Lewis River.
-At the parking lot veer right and pick up the trail a few feet away on the other side (watch for a sign). This trail meanders down, crossing Copper Creek above [[Copper Creek Falls]]. The trail continues downhill until a junction. The main trail goes straight but take the switchback downhill to the left to see [[Middle Lewis River Falls|Middle Falls]]. The trail beyond there is closed due to the landslide.
+Back on the Lewis River Trail, you'll head along a cliff face decorated with maidenhair fern and a contorted yew. Then you'll pass across a slide area and rise on a narrow trail which heads across another cliff. The trail drops, passing a huge Douglas-fir, good for a photo stop. Drop to a bottomland of cedar, hemlock, Douglas-fir with some silver fir. After you reach the willow flat below [[Upper Lewis River Falls|Upper Falls]], the main trail heads left over a footbridge on Alec Creek, while a spur leads to the river and a view of the waterfall. Then switchback up under a cliff face dripping with moss. The trail switchbacks to the right at the top and heads toward the [[Upper Lewis River Falls|Upper Falls]]. A steep spur leads down to fenced views of this 58-foot block waterfall.
-Back on the main trail you'll walk about a mile to the base of [[Upper Lewis River Falls|Upper Falls]]. There's a lot of alder growing up here, but you'll see a steep path that goes to the river bank and allows unobstructed view of the falls.
+Return to the main trail and go right in silver fir forest. The trail drops a little until you reach the viewpoint over [[Taitnapum Falls]]. There's no access to the river here, so your only view is from the trail. You may continue another two-thirds of a mile to the end of the trail at the [[Upper Lewis River Trailhead]] on FR 90. Otherwise, return the way you came.
-The next part of the trail is a steep climb, but the climb is short and the rewards are great. The trail works up the side of the Alec Creek Canyon gaining about 150 feet in a quarter mile. Then the trail heads back along the top of the bluff. Look for the signed side trail on the right - it goes steeply down to impressive [[Upper Falls Viewpoint]].
-The last waterfall is the smallest of the bunch, but it's only a 1/4 mile, so it's worth the trip. This is [[Taitnapum Falls]]. There's no access to the river here, so your only view is the from the trail. You may continue another 2/3 of a mile to the end of the trail at upper trailhead on FR 90. Return the way you came, or if you are doing this as a hike and bike, continue to the [[Upper Lewis River Trailhead]] to retrieve your bike.
+=== Fees, Regulations, etc. ===
+* Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required at Lower Falls Recreation Area; $2 reserve in advance parking ticket (see [https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087203 Recreation.gov]) additionally required between June 15th and September 30th.
+* Restrooms, picnic area, nearby campground
+* Share trail with mountain bikes
+* $3 toll each way at the [[Bridge of the Gods]]
 === Maps ===
-{{HikeMaps|latitude=46.16509|longitude=-121.86645}}
+{{Hikemaps|latitude=46.1037|longitude=-121.9189}}
+* Green Trails Maps: ''Lone Butte, WA #365''
+* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & Administrative Area''
+* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Gifford Pinchot National Forest''
+* Adventure Maps: ''Hood River, Oregon, Trail Map''
+* Adventure Maps: ''44 Trails Area plus the best of the G.P.N.F.''
+* National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: ''Mount St. Helens - Mt. Adams''
-=== Regulations or restrictions, etc ===
+{{TripReports|Lewis River Waterfalls}}
-* Northwest Forest Pass required at Lower Falls Recreation Area
+* [http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4367  Lower/Middle/Upper Lewis River Falls 3.20.10]
+* [http://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=25437  Curly CK Falls to Lewis River Falls]
-{{TripReports|Lewis River}}
+{{RelatedDiscussions|Lewis River Waterfalls}}
-{{RelatedDiscussions|Lewis River}}
 === Guidebooks that cover this hike ===
+* ''Hiking Waterfalls in Washington'' by Roddy Scheer with Adam Sawyer
+* ''60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland'' by Paul Gerald
+* ''Day Hiking: Mount St. Helens'' by Craig Romano & Aaron Thiesen
+* ''Day Hikes in the Pacific Northwest'' by Don J. Scarmuzzi
+* ''PDX Hiking 365'' by Matt Reeder
+* ''100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon'' by William L. Sullivan
+* ''Portland Hikes'' by Art Bernstein & Andrew Jackman
+* ''Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington'' by Susan Elderkin
+* ''Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington & the Cascades'' by Joan Burton
+* ''Hiking Washington'' by Oliver Lazenby
+* ''95 Virtual Hikes of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument'' by Northwest Hiker
+* ''33 Hiking Trails: Southern Washington Cascades'' by Don & Roberta Lowe
+* ''Best Short Hikes in Washington's South Cascades & Olympics'' by E.M. Sterling & Ira Spring
+* ''Washington's South Cascades' Volcanic Landscapes'' by Marge & Ted Mueller
+* ''Washington Hiking'' by Scott Leonard
+* ''Pacific Northwest Hiking'' by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
+* ''Visitor's Guide to the Ancient Forests of Western Washington'' by the Dittmar Family for the Wilderness Society
+* ''Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest'' by David L. Anderson
+* ''Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest'' by Gregory A. Plumb
+* ''Mountain Biking Portland'' by Scott Rapp
 === More Links ===
-* See more information at [http://www.somewebsite.com Describe the link here]
+* [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=32068  Trail #31 Lewis River, Lower Falls to Quartz Creek (USFS)]
+* [http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lewis-river-falls  Lewis River Falls (Washington Trails Association)]
+* [https://wanderingyuncks.com/2016/05/30/lewis-river-and-curly-creek-falls/  Lewis River and Curly Creek Falls (wanderingyuncks)]
+* [http://cherylhill.net/blog/2017/10/12/lewis-river-waterfalls/  Lewis River Waterfalls (Just Peachy)]
+* [https://www.theoutbound.com/washington/hiking/hike-to-lewis-river-falls  Hike to Lewis River Falls (The Outbound)]
+* [https://trails.hikeitbaby.com/trail/lewis-river-falls/  Lewis River Falls (Hike It Baby)]
+* [https://www.healthnuthayley.com/lewis-river-waterfall/  Lewis River Waterfall (Health Nut Hayley)]
+* [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/lewis-river-falls-trail  Lewis River Falls Trail (All Trails)]
+* [http://www.nwhiker.com/GPNFHike30.html  Lewis River Falls Hike (Northwest Hiker)]
+* [https://www.narcity.com/en-us/travel/of-swimming-holes-in-washington-lewis-river-falls-should-make-your-summer-bucket-list  Washington Has A Jungle Oasis With A 200-ft-Wide Waterfall That You Can Swim In (Narcity)]
+* [https://joebeckerphoto.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/waterfalls-of-the-lewis-river-a-photo-guide/  Waterfalls of the Lewis River – a Photo Guide (Joe Becker Photo)]
 === Contributors ===
 * [[User:Stevefromdodge|Stevefromdodge]] (creator)

Difference between revisions of "Lewis River Waterfalls Hike"

Difference between revisions of "Lewis River Waterfalls Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

Latest revision as of 21:20, 29 November 2022

Contents

Hike Description

Fees, Regulations, etc.

Maps

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

More Links

Contributors