Wahkeena Falls
Western Gorge, Oregon
Wahkeena Falls (photographer: Greg Lief)
Hike Details
Type:
Out and back
Distance:
2.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:
850 feet
Difficulty:
Easy
Trail Features
Family Friendly:
Yes
Restrooms:
Yes
Trailhead Pass:
No
Gorge Trailhead Passes Guide
Trail Details
WaterfallWaterfallBeautiful Views
Driving Directions
This beautiful trail starts by crossing a wooden bridge over Wahkeena Creek. Be sure to head right here; the trail to the left leads to Multnomah Falls. The trail climbs to a stone bridge at the base of Wahkeena Falls, where spray on the trail here is year-round. In the winter, this can get very icy. The trail then starts up a steep section, climbing about 400 feet in half a mile. At the top of this first climb, you'll crest a ridge. Follow the pavement out to the point, called Lemmon's Viewpoint. Return the route you ascended.

- Hike descriptions were collaboratively written with the generous support of oregonhikers.org.

Driving Directions

Wahkeena Trailhead:  Travel east on I-84 to Exit #28/Bridal Veil. Drive east on the Historic Highway 2.4 miles to the Wahkeena Trailhead. Travel west on I-84 to Exit #35/Ainsworth Park. Drive 5.6 miles west on the Historic Highway to the Wahkeena Trailhead.

Community Connection

Lyle Cherry Orchard’s trailhead is located approximately one mile from the Gorge town of Lyle and is home to the “Lyle” sign that sits above the community. Since this preserve was opened to the public the Lyle Cherry Orchard has provided the community with an accessible natural space right in their back yard. The sunny and dry preserve is the perfect hiking spot to visit during the rainier fall days in the western gorge. Visitors from the Gorge and beyond recreate on Lyle Cherry Orchard and in turn support the local economy.

Photo: View of town of Lyle from Lyle Cherry Orchard (Debbie Asakawa)

Preserve Story

The property where Lyle Cherry Orchard Preserve lies currently was once grazing land for cattle and as the name suggests the eastern part of the preserve held a cherry orchard. The orchard and its trees were well abandoned by the time Nancy Russell purchased the property piece by piece in the 1990’s and later donated it to Friends in 2009. Nancy purchased the property when it came up for sale because it was within key viewing areas on the Oregon side of the Gorge and would have most likely become subdivided for development.

The land is also home to remnants of Lyle Convict Road, a demonstration road built by Sam Hill to convince Washington legislators to fund a Columbia River Highway. When Washington showed no interest in Sam’s project, he invited the entire Oregon legislature to his Maryhill estate to see his "Good Roads" work and Oregon quickly agreed to build on their side of the river what is today the Historic Columbia River Highway.

The trail at Lyle Cherry Orchard was started in when Friends' founder Nancy Russell purchased the property and has been open to the public and maintained Friends and its land trust ever since. In 2019, Washington Trails Association started work to reroute some parts of the trail and add new trail to explore for the benefit of Gorge residents.

In 2013, the land trust and volunteers removed a dilapidated house and outbuildings on the southwestern end of the property. Countless hours were spent removing building materials, old vehicles, garbage, and debris. In 2015 volunteers removed over 1,700 feet of fencing material on the property to allow for the free movement of wildlife across the landscape. Without the help of Friends volunteers and Gorge community members, projects like this would not be possible.

Photos: Before and after cleanup at Lyle Cherry Orchard (Friends' archive)