Looking for a short, adventurous hike close to the Portland area? One of my favorite is Wahclella Falls, on the Oregon side of the Columbia River close to Bonneville Dam.

Wahclella Falls is an easy to moderate one mile hike from the trailhead. There is a short uphill walk for about 500 feet, but the rest of the trail is quite easy. The falls is nestled in a box canyon at the end of a loop trail where Tanner Creek plummets into a rocky pool in the Cascade Mountains. The trailhead can be reached by taking Exit 40 off I-84, the Bonneville Dam exit. The parking lot is to the south of the exit. Trail parking fees apply so be prepared to display your US Forest Pass or purchase a Day Pass for the customary $5.00 fee, available at the trailhead.

The trail begins by walking south along a normally closed access road to a small diverting dam where water is diverted through a waterway to feed fresh water into the Fish Hatchery. The remaining excess water flows out of a pipe and back into the creekbed. A small low water dam has been created to increase the depth for diversion. From there the trail proceeds south and crosses the first of 3 foot bridges. A few hundred yards farther the trail splits. This is a loop trail so you can take either side. My personal favorite route is to keep to the right and walk downhill. It is the most scenic view.

This is one of those hikes where you can see something new and different each time you go. The wild flowers change with the elevation and season. Wildlife is not abundant due to the popularity of this hike, but it can be seen. One of my favorite birds can be viewed along this hike. It is called the American Dipper, a small, dark gray colored bird about the size of a Jay. The Dipper enjoys feasting on underwater plankton. It's quite common to see it dart underwater and walk along the rapids, against the current and emerge unscathed and dry, only to do it again.

This hike is best enjoyed on a hot summer day where the temperature drops 10 to 15 degrees as you approach Wahclella Falls. Enjoy.