Wahkeenah Falls

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wahkeenah Falls is the name of a 242 foot (73 m) waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge in the state of Oregon. It is also spelled "Wahkeena" or "Wah-kee-nah" or other variations. All spellings of this word are dubious, because the word is merely an English transliteration of a Pacific Northwest Native American (reportedly Yakama) phrase meaning "most beautiful".

The waterfall is unlike Multnomah Falls, in that the water does not just 'plunge' into the ground. Wahkeenah Falls, rather, has a more subtle cascading flow. Some may argue that this waterfall is more beautiful than Multnomah Falls. These pleasing and tranquil falls have been featured in numerous travel guides and in photography books.

Wahkeenah Falls is along the Columbia River Scenic Highway, about 13 miles east of Troutdale, Oregon. A short hike uphill from the parking lot at the base leads to the stone bridge that crosses the main part of the falls. That trail continues on east to Multnomah Falls, the next falls down the road.

This waterfall is visible directly from the Historic Columbia River Highway. Visitors often slow down to view this cascading waterfall directly from their car.