A Hike Without the "Big Girl" Camera

Another dismal weekend weather forecast.  Rain....rain....and yet more rain.  And not only was it wet, temps were also very warm (which meant no skiing on the mountain).  What's an outdoor-loving girl to do?

Go hiking, of course!

Wahkeena Falls

Hey, I live in Oregon.  Newsflash - it rains here.  I wasn't about to let a little precip keep me indoors.  Wanting to test my newly-healed foot, I decided to try a hike with some moderate elevation gain.  And....if it also included waterfalls, so much the better!

The Wahkeena Trail to Multnomah Falls is one of my favorite Gorge hikes.  A 5.5 mile loop with 1600 feet of elevation gain, it fit nicely into my "get the foot back in hiking shape" plan.

Fairy Falls wide-angle view

It poured all day Saturday, and throughout Sunday morning.  Although the wet stuff appeared to be tapering off in time for my planned Sunday afternoon hike, I didn't want to take chances with my expensive DSLR (aka "Big Girl") camera.  A trek in the rain?  This looked like a job for my weather-sealed GoPro camera!

Columbia River peeps through the trees

Yep, I set out on a hike without my trusty "Big Girl" camera.  Something I hardly ever do, it felt as though a vital piece of gear was missing as I suited up at the trailhead.

First trillium!

But I had my GoPro.  Not only did it take amazing videos, it was also capable of super wide-angle photographs.  I looked forward to capturing entire waterfalls in one frame.  But as I climbed the trail to its first waterfall, a fat, gushing Wahkeena Falls, my battery indicator flashed red.  I'd forgotten to charge it the night before.  D'oh!

Shamrock-shaped leaves

A hike without photos?  Nooooo!!  Then, I remembered my cell phone.  I'd recently upgraded, and my new phone was supposed to have a pretty good camera.  Because I preferred to use my "real" cameras, I hadn't ever bothered trying the one on my phone.  Well....today it would be called into service.

Mossy branches overhang the trail

Switching off the GoPro's screen, I dug through my backpack and fished out my phone.  I was delighted to discover, not only did the phone take decent shots, it also recorded video.  I captured a quick clip of Wahkeena Falls just to try it out.

Of course a trail sign photo!

Happy I'd be able to document my hike after all, I started my climb, switchbacking through the thick, mossy forest.  Although the weekend's heavy rain had swollen nearby creeks and waterfalls, no water fell from the sky. 

Multnomah Creek

I continued uphill, and took a short photo break at Fairy Falls, a delicate fan-shaped cascade.  Discovering a tiny bit of juice in the GoPro, I shot a quick couple wide-angle images of Fairy Falls in its mossy amphitheater.

Raging waters

From Fairy Falls, my climb continued.  The forest thinned out and briefly gave a few glimpses of the Columbia River far below.  Then it dived back into the woods, where I discovered some lovely white trilliums blooming.  First ones of the spring!

Finally, I topped out on a ridge, and followed it away from the Wahkeena Falls basin towards Multnomah Creek.  After a half mile, the trail began to wind down to Multnomah Creek.  One of my favorite parts of this hike, I love the thick mossy trees here, and the views of white rushing waters as the trail descends.  It intersected with the Larch Mountain trail, which then followed Multnomah Creek.

Mossy branches everywhere

Walking along Multnomah Creek was a delight.  Swollen by the weekend rainfall, it churned mightily.  I passed by two waterfalls, the first unnamed (at least to me).  The narrow trail came very close to the top of the first cascade - so near I hugged the opposite bank to avoid slipping into it's raging waters.  But I did whip out my phone and capture a video of this incredible sight.  It's not every day you hike next to the top of a waterfall!

Wiesendanger Falls

The trail gave hikers a little bit more space between the second waterfall.  This one, named Wiesendanger Falls, was churning mightily as I traveled by.  Downriver, the forest opened up, giving visitors better photographic opportunities.

Whitewater

The creek was really ripping through here.  It dashed over boulders and fallen trees, creating huge pockets of whitewater.  I tried to take more video but it didn't come close to capturing the experience of seeing it in person.

My trail passed by a rocky overhang

I passed by a rocky cliff overhanging the trail, where I discovered a plaque commemorating Wiesendanger Falls' namesake.  Past this rock face, was a cute mossy grotto, where the creek roared under a rock arch bridge.  Then, reaching the top of the Multnomah Falls, there was no place to go but down.

Plaque on the rock wall

And down I went!  Eleven switchbacks descend from Multnomah Falls' top to its base.  As I trekked down this steep path, I began to encounter hordes of people.

Multnomah Falls is the grand dame of the Columbia River Gorge waterfalls.  Tumbling down 542 feet in two tiers, this gorgeous cascade attracts visitors by the thousands.  By the time I'd reached the Benson Bridge, suspended between the upper and lower falls, I was caught in a swarm of humanity.  Even crummy weather doesn't stop people from visiting.

Misty Benson Bridge

The sheer volume of water tumbling over Multnomah Falls created some impressive spray.  It felt as if it was raining.  Hoping to milk the last of its battery juice, I turned on my GoPro for one final video.  It's waterproof case was tailor made for the occasion.  Although I had to keep wiping droplets from the lens, I was able to get some decent footage.

Multnomah Falls

So that's the story of how I survived a hike armed with only a low-battery GoPro and my cell phone camera.  Although not up to my usual standards, I was able to get enough decent shots to complete a blog post (and hopefully entertain my readers!).  As the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you.

And my foot?  It did fantastic!  I'm so happy to be back hiking again.


Sharing with:  Scenic Weekends and Weekly Top Shot.

Multnomah - Wahkeena Loop

Fall Gorge Waterfall Tour 2013 continues!  I hope you're not getting tired of seeing waterfalls.....

If you're still with me, get ready - I've saved some of the best for last.

Wahkeena Falls

One of my very favorite fall hikes is the loop from Wahkeena to Multnomah Falls.  I always try to time this hike at the height of fall color.  This year, I didn't quite catch turning leaves at their best, but the trail was still spectacular.

Last of the fall leaves

I like to begin my trek on the Wahkeena Trail.  There's less people here (hence more chance of a parking spot) and it's a good climb.  This trail is paved part of the way up, and lined with amazing moss-covered rock walls.

The trail was lined by these lovely rock walls

First stop - Wahkeena Falls.  This wide, fan-shaped cascade can be accessed by walking a mere 0.2 miles from the trailhead.  It's a most delightful setting.  The path beside the falls sports a set of decorative stone walls, and through the trees there's a view of the Historic Columbia River Highway down below.  The falls themselves squeeze out between a gap in the basalt cliff and you can't pass by without getting a good misting. (cover that camera!)

Trail sign cast into the rock wall

Then the trail switchbacks steeply up the side of the Gorge.  Still paved, it's lined with more gorgeous rock walls.  If you look closely, you may discover some coins that were embedded into the concrete during construction.  Not only coins, a handsome stone sign was also inset at an old trail junction. 

Mossy lettering close-up

This sign directs hikers to the Perdition Trail.  Sadly, this trail was wiped out in a late 1990's landslide, and never rebuilt.  Now a part of the landscape, it stands as a reminder of the old trail, it's letters slowly filling in with moss.

Columbia River viewpoint

Before the paved path ends, a side trail leads hikers to a killer Gorge viewpoint.

Moss-draped trees frame this creek

Beyond the viewpoint, a gravelly, leaf-covered trail takes hikers past a charming creek, complete with small rapids, mossy rocks, and moss-encrusted trees.  And a small footbridge, decked out in ferns and more moss, spans this streamlet.

Footbridge close-up

The trail follows this burbling waterway as it winds upwards through a thick forest.

Cheerful stream

A mile and a half of climbing brings hikers to the next reward - lovely little Fairy Falls.  It's delicate, lacy cascade looks like a maiden's dress.

Fairy Falls

This pretty waterfall is another of my faves.  I love how the rocks create a stair-stepping effect on the water streams.  Even better when photographed at slow shutter speeds (yes, I carried my tripod).

Frilly white cascades

After a enjoying a nice break, it was back on the trail for more climbing.  I passed through an area of enormous trees, and couldn't resist giving one a big hug!

Didn't know I was a tree hugger, did you?

While huffing and puffing my way up the trail, I did take time to notice the last of the fall colors.  These yellow leaves were still clinging to a mostly bare tree.  They added some bright spots to a mostly gray scene.

Some yellow leaves still hanging on

But the tall firs in the woods had a special eerie beauty.  And one of the things I love about the Gorge is all the lush green vegetation covering the forest floors.

Dense forest

After nearly two miles of  climbing, and another mile of level forest walking, I came upon the junction for the trail to Multnomah Falls.  This path followed Multnomah Creek, an delightfully scenic stream.

Weisendanger Falls

The creek, surrounded by huge moss-draped trees and lush mossy rocks was amazing.  Add to that two large waterfalls along the way, and you have a photographer's paradise.

Rounded rock bridge and creek above Multnomah Falls

Of course, there was one problem.  A beautiful place like this was wildly popular, especially on a dry Sunday afternoon.  I encountered hordes of people, most walking the path up from Multnomah Falls.  It was hard to get shots without someone walking in the way.  And about the time I left the second waterfall, my lens froze up and refused to work.

Stone bridge at Multnomah Falls

Luckily, I keep a couple back-up lenses in my backpack, so photography didn't stop.  I was able to capture the cute rounded rock footbridge that crossed the creek above Multnomah Falls, and the iconic carved stone bridge that hangs in the middle of the falls itself.

I finished my hike walking down the trail to the base of Multnomah Falls.  This tall, slender cascade is the grandest Gorge waterfall of them all.  Plunging a total of 542 feet, it's a jaw-dropping beauty.

Multnomah Falls - the grandest of them all!

Another great waterfall tour!  I hit a lot of falls in a short 5.5 mile loop.

I thought I was done with waterfall photography for awhile.  However......during the first week of December, our weather here turned frigid.  Temps dropped to way below freezing.  Know what that does to waterfalls?  Stay tuned for my next blog post and find out!


Sharing with:  Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Still Halloween on Devils Rest

Fall is a wonderful time to be in the Columbia River Gorge.  The changing leaves, the mossy cliffs, the waterfalls gushing full, and the pumpkins.

Huh?

I went for a hike last Saturday and found some unusual things in the woods.  Yes, it has to do with Halloween.  Intrigued?  Read on for the rest of the story!


Size matters!  Click on any photo to enjoy a larger version.

A pumpkin in the forest??

After a week of solid rain, the weatherman promised a dry Saturday.  Upon hearing this, my friend Debbie and I made hiking plans.  I hadn't hiked the Oregon side of the Gorge for months, and was hankerin' to do so.  The trail of choice - the Wahkeena Trail, one of my favorite fall rambles.

Wahkeena Falls

Hiking Wahkeena Trail is an autumn tradition.  (Check out the blog post I did on last year's trek)  One of Gorge's loveliest paths, it begins at the lower chute of Wahkeena Fall's triple cascade.  After crossing a footbridge, the trail climbs up to an elegant stone bridge below the upper falls.

Hiking the leaf-covered Wahkeena Trail

From here, the trail switchbacks steeply up the side of the Gorge.  Most of the autumn colors were past their peak, and many of the leaves had already fallen.  But I still found lots of things to photograph.  Debbie had a new camera she was trying to get familiar with, and didn't mind my frequent photo stops.

Large yellow leaf

The first half mile of the trail is especially scenic.  It's lined by ancient mossy rock walls.  Green moss-encrusted Douglas Firs and big-leaved maple trees tower above.  Ferns sprout from everywhere, including the rocks in the wall.  It's an explosion of greenery mixed with fall colors.

An Oregon slug

Debbie and I kept leapfrogging a young couple visiting from Chicago.  We came upon the pair gazing at something on the side of a wall.  Turned out it was a slug.  They'd never seen one so big!  It was almost the length of my hand.  Of course we Oregonians are used to huge slugs, and this one wasn't the largest we'd ever seen (there's a reason these things are called "banana slugs")

Smilin' doggy

We ran into a ton of people and dogs on the trail.  Everyone and their dog was out. (Sorry, couldn't resist the pun!)  In the Portland area, a rain-free day brings outdoor enthusiasts out in droves.  An Oregonian's definition of a nice day is one where it's not raining.

Colorful leaves decorate this rock

Debbie, Bear, and I continued up the trail, following a cute rushing stream, lined with mossy boulders and fallen leaves.

Fairy Falls

One of the prettiest waterfalls, Fairy Falls makes a pleasant break spot as you're climbing the Wahkeena Trail.  Deciding not to pack a tripod for today, I have to apologize for this crappy image.  It definitely isn't up to my usual standards.

The forest is almost bare

Debbie and I climbed higher until we reached the intersection with the path to Devils Rest.  This trail is a counterpart to a beautiful viewpoint further west called Angel's Rest.  Devils Rest, however, has no views.  The track merely leads to a forested knoll. 

Time for some climbing!

But Devils Rest, at 2450 feet, is a good climb for folks wanting a bit of exercise.  That's exactly what Debbie and I were after today.  We took a hard right, heading towards the Devils Rest summit.

Cool mushrooms on an old log

After a tough ascent, the trail levels out and follows a forested ridge with occasional peeps into the Gorge far below.  Debbie and I passed by a downed tree sporting the coolest mushrooms I'd seen.  So we had to stop and capture some images!

Debbie photographs the elusive wild pumpkin

After what seemed like an eternity, we arrived at Devils Rest wooded summit.  I immediately spotted a small garden gnome stuck to one of the rocks.  Debbie and I had a good laugh and she snapped a photo of the little feller.  Then I noticed a flash of orange high up in a nearby tree.  Upon further inspection, we discovered a small pumpkin hanging from one of the branches.

Lots of pumpkins hanging from the trees

Debbie and I walked around the summit, and found a dozen pumpkins strung up in the trees.  Setting ourselves down on some rocks, I spied a pumpkin someone had placed on top of its mossy surface. 

There was even a gnome!

The elusive wild pumpkin!  We had another chuckle and proceeded to photograph these unusual sights.  It's not something you'd expect see to hanging from trees deep in the woods that's for sure!  I guess Halloween isn't over yet on the summit of Devils Rest.

Trying to stay warm while having lunch

It was a chilly day, and the temps got even colder the higher in elevation Debbie and I climbed.  By the time we arrived at Devils Rest, it was near freezing.  How did we know?  Small, white pellets started drifting down from the sky.  At first, I wasn't sure what to make of them, but it didn't take long to realize it was snow.  Grabbing a quick bite to eat, I put on hat, gloves and some more warm layers to help ward off the cold.

"Dr Seuss" mossy trees

The freezing temps meant no lingering at the top.  Debbie and I ate, drank some hot tea (a staple for these fall hikes!) and set off again.  For our descent, we decided to make a loop, and followed a different trail.  This path was one we'd taken just once before with someone else leading.  Although Debbie was a little worried about getting lost, it ended up being easy to follow.  Our trail of choice wound through more dense forest and past some moss-covered trees, worthy of a "Dr. Seuss" illustration.

Dense forest

After a steep downhill trek, our path popped back out onto the Wahkeena Trail.  Now all we had to do was retrace our steps back down the Gorge.  It was getting late in the day, and I was a little worried about beating the sunset.  I'd forgotten my headlamp and didn't want to try and pick my way through the dark.

Gorge view at sunset

About a half mile before trail's end is a wonderful overlook.  It gives visitors a panoramic vista down both directions of the Gorge.  On our way up, foggy, overcast skies didn't make this spot worth a stop.  But on the way down, things had cleared up enough to highlight steep cliffs on the Washington side.  Light from the setting sun illuminated these high mountains. Lucky me, I arrived in the nick of time and was able to snap off a couple of shots before the last rays faded.

Hike stats:  About 8 miles round-trip, with a 2400 foot elevation gain.  Great to be outside on a frosty fall day.  And bonus pumpkin sightings at our destination!

Linking to: Sunny Simple Sunday, This or That Thursday, Share Your Cup Thursday, and Orange You Glad its Friday.