Have you ever wondered what it’s like to walk along a waterfall on a cool trail in the Pacific Northwest? Then Multnomah Falls is the place for you. Multnomah Falls is a 611-foot waterfall surrounded by underground springs and runoff from nearby mountains. Natural wonders like this are among the country’s most unique sights. The two hiking trails leading to Multnomah Falls are connected by a pretty bridge. Only 30 minutes away from Portland, this picturesque waterfall is lodged in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. As well as being a great place to visit in Oregon, it’s also one of the best spots to see in the US.
Under the Multnomah Creek Falls, a picturesque bridge constructed in 1914 crosses Multnomah Creek. The bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. Each year, over two million people visit the falls, making it the most visited natural site in the Pacific Northwest. Two major falls drop from the falls, the upper falls measuring 542 feet and the lower falls measuring 69 feet, with an elevation drop of 9 feet between the two.
As a result, the waterfall measures 620 feet tall conventionally. The two falls are a result of zones of basalt which are easier to erode at the base. It is best to arrive early, bring water, and be prepared for an adventure in any season, especially during the busy summer months. During the week, go early in the morning or later in the evening for fewer crowds, but summer days are usually crowded. In addition to spring runoff from the mountain’s snowpack and rainwater during other seasons, the waterfall is provided with water year-round by underground springs on Larch Mountain.
Multnomah Creek originates from this spring. As well as being accessible from Interstate 84 east of Troutdale, Multnomah Falls has been designated as a scenic area by the state of Oregon. Over two million people visit the falls every year, making it the most popular natural recreation area in the Pacific Northwest. On the path ascending to the observation deck of the falls, there are several trail junctions that provide access to 5.4 miles of trails around other nearby waterfalls.
In ancient times, a hanging valley formed at the end of the waterfall, and the Missoula floods caused it to form. A Multnomah woman sacrificed herself to save Multnomah village from a plague by jumping off a cliff according to the Multnomah tribe’s creation story. In consequence, the Multnomah people survived and the waterfall was created. As soon as she died, water began flowing from the cliff, creating a waterfall.  Â
A boulder, which weighed 400 tons, was loosened by erosion and fell 225 feet (69 meters) into the upper cascade pool above Benson Footbridge on Labor Day in 1995. Twenty members of a wedding party posed for photos on the bridge at the time, causing a splash of water and gravel to wash over the footbridge.
A falling rock damaged a section of the walkway and concrete railings of the bridge on January 9, 2014, which was the reason the Forest Service, closed it until repairs were made. After eight years of being closed, it reopened in June 2018. After repairing and reopening the trails along upper Multnomah Creek, Devil’s Rest, and Angel’s Rest in November 2018, the remaining trails along upper Multnomah Creek and Wahkeena Falls were also reopened.Â
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