Miles: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain/Highest 520ft/600ft
Map: Green Trails Columbia Gorge, Friends of the Gorge, NWHiker.
Favorite Eats After Hike: Crush Cider, Walking Man Brewery, Backwoods Brewery, Thunder Island Brewing, Cascade Locks Ale House, Farm Stand Natural Foods, Dick’s Primal Burger, Back To Eden Bakery, or just Pack A Cooler. You can learn more about these places in my Must Hike Must Eat Eating Out Guide.
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty please.
My hike:
1/8/2018 A friend and I were visiting the Columbia Gorge area outside Portland, Oregon and because of last year’s devastating fire; most of the trails on the Oregon side are closed due to hazardous conditions. After chatting with one of the road crew stationed at the closed sign for the Historic Columbia River Highway (it is closed from exit 28 east at the time of this trip report), the only waterfall hike open was this beauty.
We parked in the upper parking lot where the bathrooms and information kiosk are and opted for the longer loop that goes up to the upper falls. There was a lower route that went to the base of the lower falls but we wanted a few more miles than that. The parking lot was full but that was to be expected with so few low level options available in the area outside Portland and this being the closest one.
The wide dirt trail was relatively steep in the beginning as we climbed past the lower falls, pausing only to take a few pictures at the water cascading down 250 feet over the lime green lichen splattered basalt rock so common in the this area. We had read on the kiosk at the trailhead about the families that once owned this property and have since donated it and I wondered what it would have been like to have such grandeur in one’s backyard. The changing view as we neared the top allowed us to look behind the waterfall with the Columbia River in the background.
After passing the falls, the trail levels out slightly as it follows the creek and there were several wooden bridges as we crossed back and forth on our ascent. We walked past moss covered trees and glossy ground cover until reaching the upper falls just under a mile from the car. This waterfall was a unique sight as it starts out with a wide fan flowing over the wall for about 20 feet but then it hits another wall that sticks out in front of it like an arm unsuccessfully holding it back which then causes the water to change course and come down as a chute in front of a gaping, toothy grin of rock.
We didn’t stay long as the spray is quite drenching but made our way over the bridge in front of the waterfall and back down the trail as it follows the creek on the west side. This second part of the loop was more forested and further back and had us come out just a bit west of the trailhead and onto the highway. From here, you can cross the road and continue on a paved trail to the lower parking lot where there are picnic tables and another bathroom before it makes it’s way under the highway to the lower falls basin and finishing back at the upper parking lot. We opted to skip that part and carefully walk the shoulder to the few hundred yards directly to where our car was at the upper lot. I wish I had more pictures to share of this little gem but I had left my phone at home!
PC: Elle McClees
Directions: Heading east on I-84 from Portland, take exit 28 marked for Bridal Veil Falls. The road goes right and then left along I-84 until it come comes to a T at the Historic Columbia River Highway. Turn right and follow the road past the trailhead for Angel’s Rest about 2.5 miles. There is an upper and a lower trailhead, with the upper being the first one you come to. Bathrooms and picnic area available at both. If coming from the east, you will need to take exit 35. No pass needed.
For more hikes in the area, visit my Southwest Washington Columbia River Gorge page.
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