Turn left here and take the Vista Point Trail #419, which may be running a channel of Fairy Creek. Now make five switchbacks up a burned slope with the conifer canopy still intact to reach the junction with the Vista Point Trail #419. Day hikers often tarry here to take photos and imbibe the negative ions. You'll arrive at Fairy Falls, a beautiful fan waterfall right next to the trail. Six more steep switchbacks take you up rushing Wahkeena Creek and cedar-shaded Wahkeena Canyon. Recross the creek on a new footbridge at an open mossy face. Cross a footbridge, and hike up the west side of Wahkeena Creek. Sometimes a seasonal waterfall splashes down this face. Enter a defile with a massive dome of basalt to your right. Vistas extend across the Columbia River to Cape Horn, the Prindle Cliffs, Archer Mountain, Hamilton Mountain, and Beacon Rock (For a description of a short but sketchy off trail excursion near the viewpoint, see The Necktie). Take the short spur to the right to reach Lemmons Viewpoint, named after a fire fighter who lost his life in the line of duty. From here, the pathway, which is still paved, rises in 11 stone-walled switchbacks to a junction. After admiring the falls, continue west to pass the former junction with the closed Perdition Trail at a large Douglas-fir. The trail traverses to cross the stone bridge in front of Wahkeena Falls, which may douse you with heavy spray. Then make a traverse on a paved trail into Douglas-fir/hemlock woods before making a switchback up. Head to your right, and cross a footbridge over Wahkeena Creek. You can appreciate the tiers of Wahkeena Falls from here, but in spring and summer, the view is partially obscured by leafy maple trees. Walk up to the viewing plaza just above the parking area on the highway. Bear in mind that the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire affected almost the entire area of this hike and parts of the optional user loop have not been maintained. You can return the way you came or, if you're up for a loop using the user network below Devils Rest, you can come back via the Angels Rest Trail. You'll see a couple of pretty waterfalls, get some Columbia River Gorge views, and appreciate a few large old growth trees in the Wahkeena Bowl. This hike goes all of the way to Devils Rest, a forested Boring volcano 850 feet above Angels Rest. A couple of shorter hikes that are possible are the Wahkeena Falls Hike and the Fairy Falls Hike. It is a little over 2 miles round trip, if you decide to turn back at the Fairy falls.The Wahkeena Trail can be explored at some length depending on your fitness level. The kids definitely would enjoy this as the hike meanders across pseudo bridges and water cascades. But once you cross, it is more scenic, wild & enjoyable. With about 10+ switchbacks it does drain energy. The initial trail has a paved, but pretty steep section – climbing about 600 feet in about 1/2 mile. It is a wonder to watch and just get lost with. Even at just 20 feet, the stepped formation creates such a dreamy flow. The Fairy falls is one of the much smaller falls in the George, but is brilliantly beautiful. Wahkeena Falls and the overflowing creek might not be as popular as the near by Multnomah Falls, but let that not fool you. The trail to the left leads to Multnomah Falls and the one to the right leads to the Fairy Falls and beyond. The trail starts with some beautiful stonework and a wooden bridge over Wahkeena Creek. Fairy Falls is located at the Wahkeena Canyon area of the lovely Colombia George Wilderness.
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