MULTNOMAH FALLS AREA
WHERE: Follow I 84 and watch for signs and cars. Probably the most visited rural tourist spot in Oregon.
THE TRAIL: There are many options but this is my recommendation. After admiring the falls, which is either the second or third largest year round waterfall in the United States with the highest being in the Mount Rainier National Park, Head up past the top of the falls to trail # 420: I can't resist saying this but the trail number is indicative of the beauty. Follow this trail to 420C which leads to Devils Rest viewpoint shortly before you arrive at the actual location known as Devils Rest peak. The viewpoint is off a spur trail to your right at 2400 feet elevation. Here you can relax and enjoy a snack on this small rock ledge as you look out on the Washington side of the Gorge. You can come back down to Wahkeena Trail # 420 and go left continuing to Angels rest (down and back), via a junction with trail # 415, or for a shorter loop head down Wahkeena Creek staying on your current trail. The latter trail will lead you past a couple waterfalls before meeting the Perdition Trail which takes you past several lower Gorge viewpoints. If one takes trail #415 you will pass Wahkeena Creek near the spring that feeds it as it appears from underground.
Alternately, you can also go past Devil's rest and continue past Angel's Rest to the Bridal Veil trailhead where you will have to follow a road back to Multnomah falls. This can be done by following the Foxglove trail from Devil's rest.
THE AREA: Multnomah Falls is the only commercial area of the Gorge Trails. There is a restaurant, souvenir store, snack shop, interpretive center, Espresso stand and viewing platforms. Still this is a must see, not just for the 640 foot Mulnomah falls but also for the many beautiful falls in the area including the stair-cased Wahkeena falls which is west of Multnomah. Find the copy "Trails of the Columbia Gorge" to plot and individualized treks as there are many options.
