Although I have been living in Portland for years, I had not been to Multnomah Falls until today. Located in the Pacific Columbia Gorge it is the most visited natural recreation location in the Pacific Northwest. The falls are spectacular.
A friend was in town for a few days, so a perfect time to go see some sights.
There is a bridge, the Benson Footbridge that you can stand on if you so wish, (not me, I thought it was scary plus I am scared of heights so I hurried across) it takes you to a trail that leads to the top.
"The waterfall formed around 15,000 years ago at the end of a hanging valley, and was created by the Missoula floods.
According to the creation story from the Multnomah tribe (from whom the falls take their name), the waterfall was formed after a young woman sacrificed herself to the Great Spirit to save Multnomah village from a plague by jumping from the cliff, and the Multnomah peoples were saved. After her death, water began to flow from above the cliff, creating the waterfall." That is according to Wikipedia. Not a super happy story....poor girl.
Eleven switchbacks later and you can watch the waterfalls from above. The hike is not hard, one mile one way. So I recommend that you go for it but please do not torture your dog/s and drag them up there as well. Like seriously.
We did a sightseeing tour on an open-air trolley, it was fun and relaxing.
There are more waterfalls to see and many hikes to do so I am planning on going back soon. I need to explore this beautiful area, I live here after all!
Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.