The Necktie
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
This page is marked as a Lost Hike. The "trail" may be dangerous and hard to follow and is not recommended for beginning hikers without an experienced leader. Carry detailed maps of the whole area and/or a GPS unit and compass. |
- Hikes to this location:
- Wahkeena Falls Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Hikes including this location:
- Fairy Falls Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Devils Rest via Wahkeena Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.57365, -122.12720
- Elevation: 510 feet
Contents |
Description
Here's a quick "lost" trail that's easy to get to. It leads to the upper tier of Wahkeena Falls, popularly known as The Necktie or Necktie Falls. Remember that this is an unmaintained route that is a little less obvious and more unstable since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. No one is testing the ground for slip hazards or regrading the trail when washouts occur. The trail can be overgrown and difficult in places. There are broken handrails paralleling irregular stone steps covered with accumulated loose gravel. A bit of carelessness could turn you, very briefly, into part of the waterfall.
To get to this old viewpoint, find the route leading down to Wahkeena Creek above the junction for Lemmons Viewpoint. Make three switchbacks on loose scree to the creek. Little Necktie Falls, about 30 feet tall, cascades upstream; a head on look would require standing in the creek. Then, follow the faint tread down the east bank of the creek where you'll soon be bounded by a basalt face on one side and a cable and cyclone fence on the creek side. Please don't lean on the fence or trust any section of it. Eventually, after descending steps hacked into the rock, pass along a narrow chasm and find yourself at a dangerous overlook where the fencing is damaged. Look back up the creek to admire The Necktie, where Wahkeena Creek picturesquely crosses over itself. White shooting stars, mist maidens and Mertens’ saxifrage bloom on the dripping rock face here. You can stare down over two larger and lower drops of Wahkeena Falls to see the Simon Benson's stone bridge directly below you.
Guidebooks
- Pokin' Round the Gorge by Scott Cook
- 35 Hiking Trails: Columbia River Gorge by Don & Roberta Lowe
More Links
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)