Exploring the Washington Side of the Columbia River Gorge

When you think about the Columbia River Gorge, most often the first place that comes to mind is the iconic Multnomah Falls and surrounding area just outside of Portland, Oregon. What a lot of people don’t know is that there is a beautiful less visited area on the other side of the river in Washington, stretching from Camas to White Salmon, that rivals its sister across the river in terms of scenic mountain views and epic waterfalls. I’m going to take you guys on a photography tour of some of my favorite places. Let’s go!

First Stop: Beacon Rock Trail

Second Stop: Hamilton Mountain, Rodney Falls and Pool of the Winds

Our next stop is Hamilton Mountain, and you can go all the way to the top if you want to challenge yourself to a moderately strenuous 6.4 mile adventure. For the purposes of this article, we are going to stop at the stunning Rodney Falls and Pool of the Winds, which are located at about 1 mile up the trail. This waterfall is best viewed in the winter and spring when there is snow melting up in the mountains, otherwise it can be low flow and not very impressive in the summer. For reference, the photo below was taken in January. Once you reach the waterfall you can take it in from the wooden bridge that wraps around its facade. Next, you can walk up to the Pool of the Winds and feel the spraying mist of the waterfall as it passes through the stone chamber.

Third Stop: Dog Mountain

Okay, I’m not going to lie to you, this is a very difficult hike. At 6.5 miles round trip and almost 3,000 ft of elevation gain, Dog Mountain will get your heartrate elevated and your calves burning! Dog Mountain is best viewed towards the end of spring through middle of summer, when there is a magnificent wildflower bloom, making it one of the most sought-after views in the Gorge. The hills explode with vibrant yellow and purple flowers, making it a local favorite to catch the sunset. During the weekends in the spring and summer time you must purchase a permit online due to its popularity. You can purchase your ticket online here, starting March 1st. Hikers must carry a hard copy of the permit with them on the trail. If you want to experience some of the views, but don’t want to make the whole climb, an excellent stopping point is Puppy Dog viewpoint, which is about halfway up.

Fourth Stop: Falls Creek Falls

Considered to be one of the most dramatic cascades in the Pacific Northwest, our next stop needs no introduction, for it speaks for itself. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest hosts some of the most beautiful scenery in Washington state and Falls Creek Falls is no exception. Starting alongside an icy blue creek through a moss-covered old growth forest, one will be literally stunned when they reach the end point of the trail and expose this majestic beauty. Many people claim that this is their favorite waterfall in the Pacific Northwest, and for the little effort it takes to get there, it is definitely one of mine! The easy to moderately difficult trail is around 3.2 miles and 695 ft of elevation gain. This is a high flow waterfall, so it is equally as impressive in the summer as it is in the spring, when flow is at its peak. This waterfall is still accessible during the winter months but the long road to get to it is closed, adding an additional 1-2 miles each way. Spikes and snowshoes are recommended in the winter due to deep snow and icy trail conditions. The road to get to the trailhead does have some deep potholes, so low clearance vehicles should take extra caution.

Last Stop: Panther Creek Falls

Panther Creek Falls is about 20-30 minutes drive from Falls Creek Falls, so coupling these two stops together is recommended to make the most out of your day. Keep in mind, there is little cell phone reception in the area, so downloading maps/directions beforehand is recommended. Panther Creek Falls trailhead is not easy to find, as there is little signage near the parking area. Once you have reached the parking area, you will follow the road up and to the left, and follow the small sign posted to the tree near the trailhead. The sign will read “Panther Creek Falls, Trail #137”. Once on the trail you can follow the path to either an upper viewing platform or a lower viewing deck. It is very important to stay on the boardwalk and not to cross off the trail, to protect the sensitive flora in the area which is under restoration currently. Panther Creek is a unique waterfall consisting of hundreds of tiny water ribbons, making it a spectacular view.

Honorable Mentions: Other Stops to Add to your Trip

Important Things to Know:

• When visiting any of the state parks or national forests in Washington state you do need to make sure you have the appropriate pass.
• The Washington state park pass is the Discover Pass, and you can either purchase these online or at most of the trailheads. An annual pass is $35.00 and a day pass is $11.50. You can purchase them here if you don’t want to buy them at the trailhead. There is a credit card operated machine at the Hamilton Mountain and Beacon Rock trailheads if you wish to purchase them onsite.
• National forest passes are required in the Gifford National Forest, but the Annual National Park Pass is also accepted here. You can purchase these online here, and they are $80.00. If you visit national parks and forests often, you definitely get your money’s worth! If you just want to purchase a national forest pass for the day, they are $5.00 and can be purchased online here.

Happy Wandering!