Elowah Falls is a gem of the Columbia Gorge

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DODSON (AP) — Elowah Falls is a somewhat hidden but favorite hike in the Columbia River Gorge.

A frozen rope of a waterfall, Elowah drops 289 feet into an amphitheater of layered basalt, kicking mist into a mossy forest populated with boulders the size of small houses.

The hike to this enchanted spot is easy — just 0.8 miles one way — and worthwhile for children, provided you pay close attention to them at a few dangerous spots.

Elowah isn't a hidden gem, but it doesn't get quite the level of crowds seen at other Gorge waterfalls. You might even find a touch of solitude midweek, though probably not on weekends.

The cherry on top — what makes it worth the 90-minute drive from Battle Ground — is the option to explore a second waterfall and traipse along the edge of a cliff with views of the Columbia.

It's a nice day trip for families and photographers. The hike starts at John B. Yeon State Park trailhead, 6 miles east of Multnomah Falls. The free parking lot is small and fills quickly on weekends, but there is extra room on the side of the road.

The trail starts by following an old road gradually uphill through second-growth forest that offers nice autumn colors. 

In 0.4 miles, the trail reaches a junction. The uphill route climbs to Upper McCord Creek Falls — a fun option if you have extra energy after visiting Elowah.



To see the main attraction, follow signs and drop down a series of steep-ish switchbacks. In winter, this section of trail can get slippery, and there's a bit of exposure.

At the bottom of the switchbacks, we began to see Elowah, roaring down stone cliffs covered in yellow-green lichen.

A wooden footbridge crosses the creek near the waterfall's base. This spot is a treat on summer days — you can walk right to the base — but it's most impressive after a hard winter rain. On a mid-November hike, the falls roared and spewed, and plumes of mist swept across the land.

Upon returning to the junction, head uphill, following signs for Upper McCord Creek Falls. The switchbacks goes up, up, before breaking out at a viewpoint of the Columbia River.

The trail then tightropes along the edge of a cliff, the views of Elowah now below our boots. There are guardrails here, but if you have impulsive children prone to daredevil acts, consider carrying them for this section, as a fall would not end well.

Upper McCord Creek Falls arrives shortly. It's just 65 feet and far less impressive than Elowah, but it's still nice. The trail continues a bit farther to a creekside glen before giving out.

The full hike — with the section to Upper McCord — totals 3 miles and 712 feet of climbing. I'd call it moderate for adults and moderately difficult for kids.