Hike: Wahkeena-Multnomah Falls Loop III, Corbett, OR

Getting There

I took I-84 and parked between the eastbound and westbound lanes. Real or imagined, I'm guessing this parking lot is "safer" than parking on the historic highway. Plus, there were a dozen or more LEOs (sheriffs? and a official 5th wheel) as there was SAR training banner displayed when I entered the parking lot.

The Hike

Length: 6.03 mi
Elev. gain: 1,647 ft
Moving time: 2:31:21
Total time: 2:35:46
Avg pace: 25:06
Calories: 1,527

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a minute since I was last here. March 18th, 2023 to be exact. It was 12 miler up to Devil's Rest via Wahkeena Falls, then over to the Larch Mountain trail and back down Wahkeena Trail. The first time in recent memory was New Year's Eve 2022 though I know I hike this trail (or parts of it in the last couple of decades but before I started keeping track.)

As mentioned in the previous post, I've been dealing with a sore foot, metatarsalgia since my trip to Bend. Neither hike were particularly technical or difficult (along the Deschutes, Green Lakes, Tumalo). The notable difference was that I did use my usual hiking boots (the Keen Targhee IIIs) and instead wore my Altra Lonepeaks, which are lightweight and have a thinner sole. I might have stepped awkwardly on a rock but I don't recall noticing the problem until after I'd returned home.

That was over 2 months ago and it's still a daily pain in the arse. Nevertheless, I'm growing impatient about being sidelined. I am close to my hiking goals (distance 365 miles, elevation gain 84,000 feet) but still not at 100%.

While I consider new hiking boots, I wanted to test my pain tolerance and if my impatience will ultimately lead to prolonged discomfort or I can gingerly get back out on the trail, at least on familiar ones. I decided on Wahkeena Falls and planned to play it by ear, giving myself an exit strategy if the pain flared up.
So long as I didn't flex my toes too much and selected flatter spots to land my foot, I figured I wouldn't aggravate my foot too much. As I progressed on the connector trail between the Multnomah Lodge and the Wahkeena parking lot, I wasn't sure, but after I made it to the paved trail and switchbacks, things started to feel better. My foot and muscles were warmed up.

At the junction for Lemmons Point, it was a no-brainer, I continued upwards. The switchbacks were a bit rocky but I found my line. I crossed the fallen boulders at Fairy Falls and found some wider path with few rocks.

My next abort point was junction for Devil's Rest and the Vista Point Trail. A woman was resting on a log next to her SO with a kid in her lab. The onesie jumpsuit the kid was were had little fuzzy ears on the top and it looked like a bear sitting there. I mentioned it and we both laughed.
 
I zoomed passed them. The ascent was over, roughly 1,550 feet of climb over 2.8 miles, I just had to take my time on a long downhill, 1,550 feet of descent over 3.2 miles.

When I got to the junction to head down, I continued up the trail to the bridge to have some water and a snack. I know the terrain above this point gets a bit rough though I've only seen it covered in snow.

The final descent was cool and straightforward. I took notice of the sections of the trail I remember treading extra cautiously over snow and ice and that part where one slip meant plunging into the fast moving river, cold, dangerous, and above a couple more waterfalls and debris. (shudder).

I skipped the top of the Multnomah Falls upper viewpoint. I've seen it and it's amazing but I have enough pictures from that spot.

I did take an unofficial trail up to a jagged ridge to have a look over the edge. Scary since it was a little sketchy and I didn't want to dislodge any rocks or stumble.

After the little detour, I was glad to be back on the flat, paved trail back to the parking lot.

Forest from Wahkeena Trail

Benson Bridge/Lower Multnomah Falls

Upper Multnomah Creek/Larch Mountain Trail

Hamilton Mountain and Beacon Rock

Archer Mountain

Multnomah Lodge

Archer Mountain

Hike: Wahkeena-Multnomah Falls Loop II, Corbett, OR

 

From Multnomah Creek Bridge on Larch Mtn Trail #441

Getting There

Another outing where I was "all dressed up but no where to go." Well, there were plenty of options but I didn't want to do Forest Park or Hamilton but wanted something familiar. I considered Cape Horn but naw... back to the Multnomah Falls. The Tripcheck cam showed a mostly empty parking lot.

The closer I got to Troutdale, the worse the weather looked in the Gorge. The fog was dense and it was raining.

Again, I liked being able to park between the eastbound and westbound lanes, instead of having to get on the Historic Hwy. Plus, real or imagined, I'm guessing this parking lot is "safer" due to high turnover and cameras.

I pulled into a parking spot and watched the raindrops on the windshield. I thought about the recent snow and now rain making the hike slushy and damp. I made myself a "deal". I would just do a short hike up the Wahkeena Creek to the Vista Point view and back (or as far as I could go.)

I suited up and walked to the tunnel under I-84 to the road.

The Hike

Length: 6.01 mi
Elev. gain: 1,693 ft
Moving time: 2:27:42
Total time: 2:48:45
Avg pace: 24:35
Calories: 1,486

AllTrails map

The Return Trail #442 between Multnomah Falls Lodge and Wahkeena Falls was clear of snow. I was able to go without spikes for quite awhile.

On the lower part of the Wahkeena Trail #420 (the switchbacks) was also snow free for the most part. In fact, I was well into the middle section before I stopped to put on the microspikes. The trail was well-traveled and packed down but the rise in temperatures and rain had turned the ice into unstable slush. I was slipping a bit but was glad to have the added traction.

Near the top of the canyon, there was a spot on the trail that gave me pause. The snow bank had given way showing a sheer drop, one of those false steps that changes your day. Yikes. I hugged the hillside.

The burn area (see the bowl below Devil's Point) was easier travel but the slushy did add a bit of resistance. The contrast of white snow and few burned tree stumps created a canvas of shapes that looked like people or large animals. I stopped a few times and stared to look for movement but eventually I realized what I was looking at.

When I reached the View Point/Devil's Rest junction, I considered my options and fitness. My ankle was aching a bit but I felt good. Devil's Point was not in the cards today and I wasn't ready to head back down so I said 'fuck it' and decided on a loop.

I was mildly apprehensive about the section of the trail past Multnomah Creek. Last time was a bit gnarly.

A hiker that looked under-dressed came the other direction. The sight calmed my own nerves but also thought that the guy in a sweatshirt and cowboy boots. I saw his heel prints in the snow way up here. The guy up was passing was just in a wool fleece and light boots. Here I was with multiple layers and a winter coat on my pack. This gives me an idea for another post about preparedness in different seasons. I asked about the trail conditions below. Seemed like the hazards I'd encountered before were gone. Whew.

At the junction to Multnomah Falls, I saw the steel bridge about 0.1 mile up the Larch Mountain Trail #441. Looked like a good spot for some photos (see below). I'd like to hike up to Sherrard Point sometime.

After a short detour and photo op at the bridge, I started down the final section along the creek. There was a lot less snow so it felt safer on the cliffs past Ecola Falls, Wiesendanger Falls, and Dutchman Falls. The icy slope that was there last time was totally gone. Huge relief.

Back on the paved trail there were lots of people slipping and sliding in the street shoes. A few people kind of smirked when they saw me with pack, boots & poles. Probably thought I'd suited up for the same hike they were doing with high tops and cotton sweatshirts. LOL.

Around switchback 5 of 11, I passed a couple of woman who cheerfully let me zoom by. A few turn later I heard her shout "did you run?".. I looked up and smiled and laughed and waved.

Another good hike. I'm glad I wasn't deterred by the rain. Worth it!

 

Instagram post text:

Nice loop hike starting at Wahkeena Falls, ending at Multnomah Falls. Mostly snow covered route, pretty slushy tbh. My microspikes were slipping quite a bit even though the trail was well packed down. It was much less scary on the section by Multnomah Creek. When I was here in January, the creek was raging and there was an icy slope (*slide*) below Wiesendanger Falls that you had to traverse. No margin of error. Today, the water level was low and that icy slope is gone.
When I got to the parking lot, it was raining and I pondered if I wanted to hike. So glad I went for it!

Hike: Wahkeena-Multnomah Falls Loop, Corbett, OR

 

Getting There

From Portland, take I-84 eastbound. Exit 31 for Multnomah Falls (via the left lane) is 14 miles from Troutdale, OR.

I knew the parking lot was going to be busy but I was able to find a few empty spots including one near the tunnel to the lodge.

The Hike

Length: 7.95 mi
Elev. gain: 2,320 ft
Moving time: 3:41:40
Total time: 4:02:07
Avg pace: 27:53
Calories: 2,229

I briefly considered going up the Multnomah Falls trails but I read some trail reports that recommend the counterclockwise loop, starting at Wahkeena Falls.

I left the crowds behind and walked along the old highway toward Wahkeena Falls. There was a trail that starts just past the end of the bus parking. This was just a taste of the conditions to come, icy and slippery.

When I reached Wahkeena Falls, you really start to climb. There are about 11 switchbacks to Lemmons Viewpoint. Once you start heading up the ravine, there is a lot more snow and ice. Microspikes for sure.

There are a bunch of waterfalls up Wahkeena Creek and a series of switchbacks. It's really incredible and serene. Beautiful with the sound of water and all the snow on the hillside.

It's about 1000' of elevation gain over about a mile and a half to the Devil's Rest junction. 

From here, there's not much elevation gain. I saw a few hikers going in the other direction from Multnomah Falls.

I skipped the Vista Point detour but noted it for another time.

Since I'd gotten a decently early start, I considered if I had time to go up to Devil's Rest when I got to the second junction. I did!

I started up the trail on the 3.2 miles detour/side trip. I encountered the same snowy/icy conditions but found a lot of dirt/mud as well. When I reached a flatter section, there were lots of trees down across the trail. After a dozen or so, I checked my progress. I was still only about 1/2 way there. I thought about continuing and returning to the Wahkeena Trail but wanted to continue to Multnomah Falls.

I turned around and mentally bookmarked this route for another time. I do recall hiking up most of the way to the Devil's Rest years ago. I have a photo from up there. I know I've also hikes up Wahkeena Creek, maybe part of the same hike years ago. Phaedrus remembers.

I made it back to the Wahkeena Trail and onward to the Larch Mountain trail back to the lodge.

The trail was easy. The weather was nice and dry.

I had no idea what was coming next.

When I started my descent along Multnomah Creek, it was still business as usual. I was following another couple of hikers and a golden retriever. I stopped several times to take photos.

The trail gets closer and closer to the water. As I got near the spot where the trail goes under the cliff, I realized that couple was stopped. I quickly realized why; they were contemplating a challenging section of the trail.

It was completely covered with ice and it was solid slope into the water. No margin of error. Turns about this is above a big waterfall.

I watched the couple and the dog make it safely across. I thought 'I really hope this doesn't become a rescue situation for either of us'. Phew I made it.

I briefly took off my microspikes when the trail was clear only to realize there were still challenges ahead.

There were more spots on the trail where slipping meant going over the cliff into the water below. I calmed my nerves and stayed focused on each step.

I finally reached the end of the difficult section. There were 4 people where are not equipped (tennis shoes, no poles) that were stopped for me since the trail was single file. I warned them that it was sketchy behind me.

This is where the trail is paved. I went down to the waterfall viewpoint. I had it to myself.

I encountered more and more people on the last section to the lodge and parking lot.

Nice loop. I like the counterclockwise loop. The other direction might be fun too.