Location : Central Columbia River Gorge Area, OR.
Parking : Free
Trail type : Out and Back
Trail Length : 2.4 miles rt
Elevation Gain : 320ft
Difficulty : Easy
This is another one of the many hiking trails in the Columbia River Gorge area in Oregon, that ends at a cascading waterfall, Wachlella Falls. It is a relatively easy, 2.4 mile out-and-back day hike through a slot canyon.
There is limited parking at the trailhead. If you dont want to wait until someone pulls out their car, plan to start this hike early in the day. Porter-potties are available in the parking lot and there is a $5 day use/parking fee per vehicle.
The trail starts off on a flat paved road alongside Tanner Creek. The road leads to a narrow canyon and then to a short bridge with a striking small waterfall next to it, the Munra Falls. This waterfall is so close to the touch that you can get wet from its spray as you cross the bridge.
Munra Falls
Once past the bridge, the trail starts climbing uphill over a couple of switchback and a flight of stairs after which it slopes down to a second bridge over Tanner Creek. Continue on the bridge to the east side of the creek, where the trail starts to get rocky with loose stones and gravel. By now you start hearing the roar of the falls and you know it is pretty close. A third bridge takes you back to the west side of the creek, and then you come within full view of the Falls.
The most obvious portion of Wachlella Falls is the lower drop, where the water pours 65 feet from a hidden, narrow gorge into a large open amphitheater. Above the lower falls is a semi-hidden upper falls in the main stream. There are many fallen logs in the creek over which you can walk, if you are feeling adventurous and want to get closer to the falls.
View of upper and lower Wachlella Falls
Once you have admired the falls to your hearts content, you can trace your way back along the same trail, to your car, or follow the trail to a higher elevation, which eventually loops back to the main trail.
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