Oregon Foto Guide | Top Hiking & Photography Destinations

I recently visited Wahclella Falls in the Columbia Gorge to take photographs.  Wahclella Falls is located near the Bonneville Dam and is by far one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Gorge area.  The falls is fed by Tanner Creek with an upper drop of 290 feet and the second tier dropping into a 60 foot horsetail at the pool below. The Mazama mountaineering club named the falls “Wahclella” in 1915 after the nearby Native American village.

Quite a bit of volume pours out of this waterfall and the relentless spray can be difficult to manage when photographing.  An overcast day for photographing this waterfall is essential.  I would also recommend an early morning start as the sun rose above the falls roughly at noon during the time of the year I visited and the photo opportunities dramatically decreased once that happened.  There are plenty of great shots you take along Tanner Creek and I would recommend you do not overlook this creek while on you way to the main falls.  

To Get There:

The Wahclella Trailhead can be easily found by taking Interstate 84 off of the Bonneville Dam Exit (Exit 40).  After taking a right off the exit, drive approximately a mile until you reach the Wahclella Trailhead.  The trail is well maintained and an easy hike of nearly 1 mile with just a 300 foot elevation gain.   Accessible to nearly everyone; it would make a great family hike.