Amazing Autumn Day in the Gorge

Fall colors usually don't peak in the Columbia River Gorge until early November.  As many years as I've lived in NW Oregon you think I'd remember this.  But without fail, every autumn I cruise through the Gorge in late October, lamenting the lack of changing leaves.  2023 was no different - I thought for sure it was another dud year.

Upper Multnomah Falls surrounded by yellow

So after nearly giving up hope on getting any Gorge fall colors, guess what?  All the leaves turned on the second week of November.  That Sunday my friend Catherine and I decided to hike the Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop.  Imagine my surprise when I pulled up to the trailhead at Multnomah Falls and saw brilliant yellow leaves framing the famous cascade.  Wow!  This was gonna be a good day!

The entire Multnomah Falls

Our loop hike began at the base of Multnomah Falls.  Although I didn't think to bring my tripod, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to photograph the falls framed by such lovely autumn color.  I snapped several hand-held images of the famous waterfall as Catherine and I passed by on our way up the trail.  And in the end, think I liked them better than some of the long exposure shots I've taken in the past.  Using faster shutter speeds really highlighted the water's energy and motion.  

Upper Falls as I hiked by

The paved trail from the base of Multnomah Falls climbed steeply through 11 switchbacks before depositing us hikers at the top of the 620-foot high waterfall.  On the way up, I paused to take in a peek-a-boo glimpse of the mighty Columbia River framed by lots of golden vegetation.

Columbia River views

At the very top of our climb, the trail transitioned to dirt and began to follow lovely Multnomah Creek.

Multnomah Creek

This creek and surrounding area are beautiful in any season, but autumn is absolutely stunning.  When the leaves began their seasonal change, it's the very best time to hike this trail.

Scenic rushing water

Catherine and I followed the leaf-littered trail along the rushing creek, past one small waterfall.  

Approaching the next waterfall

The next grand waterfall was just ahead - hiding behind a bend in the trail.

Leaf-littered path

At 55 feet in height, Wiesendanger Falls was another elegant cascade along Multnomah Creek.  Named for a Forest Service ranger, it gushed over a moss-lined cliff.

Wiesendanger Falls

Beyond Wiesendanger Falls, the damage from the Gorge fire of 2017 became apparent.  Blackened trees lined the steep canyon walls.  But thankfully lots of undergrowth - bushes and wildflowers - have now grown back.  Their colorful fall leaves brightened the forest, making an otherwise bleak scene quite lovely.

Even the burned area looked good!

Who knew a former burn area could look so good?

Splash of red amongst the yellow

Winding through the ferns, moss, downed trees, and colorful leaves was Multnomah Creek, our constant companion as we climbed.

Babbling creek

A marvelous sight to behold!

More Multnomah Creek pics

The morning had started out rather foggy.  The higher Catherine and I climbed, the more fog we encountered.  We reached the junction with the Wahkeena Trail and turned to follow it.  Continuing on the Wahkeena Trail, our path veered away from Multnomah Creek and climbed upward out of its basin.  Fog hung thickly in the forest here.  

Sun rays breaking through the fog

Suddenly we noticed the skies starting to clear.  Rays of sunlight began to penetrate the fog, creating lovely light on the forest.  It felt like God himself was emerging from the clouds.

Looks like we're walking towards Heaven

After walking a mile or so, and admiring the sunbursts through the fog, we came upon another trail junction.  From here, our route would switchback downhill to Wahkeena Falls, and then intersect with a connector trail that would close the loop.

Catherine admiring the pretty leaves

After climbing most of the morning, the downhill grade was most welcome.  The bigleaf maples lining this trail put on quite a show - tall trees with huge leaves sporting bright yellow hues.  Catherine stopped to admire all that stunning color.

Fairy Falls

We passed by tiny Fairy Falls.  Having only a 20-foot drop, this cascade made up for its lack of height with loads of charm.  Water stair-stepped down several rock ledges, making the streams look like lacy bridal veils.  So enchanting - I half expected a gnome to leap out from behind the waterfall.

Wahkeena Creek

Our trail followed the white water of Wahkeena Creek as it tumbled downhill.  Framed by lots of bright green moss and more golden maple leaves, this charming water body kept my camera shutter clicking.

Lemmon Viewpoint

Catherine and I made a stop at Lemmon Viewpoint to get a panoramic glimpse of the Columbia River.  Fall colors were peaking on the Washington side, as evidenced by the checkerboard of green and gold on the opposite shore.

 

Colorful scene below Wahkeena Falls

Then it was steeply downhill on a paved path, past gushing Wahkeena Falls, to the large paved viewing area at the Historic Highway.  The creek here was lined with all hues of yellow and accented by some red leaves.

Gorge view on our way back

Catherine and I then hiked the final half mile trail, paralleling the Historic Highway, that would return us to Multnomah Falls and the parking area.  More "Gorge-ous" views awaited, and many photo stops delayed our journey.  But it was well worth it.  It's not every autumn one sees such vibrant colors in the Gorge, so I made sure to take full photographic advantage!

Hope you enjoyed this amazing autumn day in the Columbia River Gorge.