Multnomah Falls stands tall

Multnomah Falls is an Oregon icon.

The waterfall often graces calendars of the state, and of the Pacific Northwest for that matter.

The two levels plunge a combined 620 feet into the Columbia River Gorge, with plenty of maple trees in front to add greenery in the spring and summer and color in the fall.

An arched foot bridge crosses above the second drop to also contribute to the scene.

The upper falls account for 542 feet of height and the lower for 69.  There is nine feet of elevation drop between the two.

Peak flow over the falls, mostly out of underground springs from Larch Mountain, is in the winter and spring.  Ice and snow can add a dash of white at times.

Moss covers most of the rock walls, where layers of ancient Yakima basalt flows can be found. 

Multnomah Falls is as popular as it is pretty, however.

Over 2,000,000 visitors make the stop per year and the parking lot is often full and closed.  It is sandwiched between the two sides of Interstate 84 about 30 miles and 30 minutes east of Portland.

A tunnel under the eastbound lanes and railroad tracks leads to the lodge and lower observation deck.

A trail goes on up to the foot bridge built in 1914 and gives visitors a closer look at the upper falls.

It is called the Benson Bridge after Simon Benson, who owned the falls in the early 1900s and gave the site to the city of Portland, which later passed it on to the USDA Forest Service.

The Multnomah Falls Lodge built in 1925 features a restaurant, the Forest Service Visitors Center, a gift shop, restrooms and a snack bar all open to the public.

The area is open all year for day use only.

Timed reservation tickets are required to visit from late May to mid September for the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for bicycles.  You choose a time and have the entire hour after it to enter and can stay as long as you wish.

Tickets are expected to go on sale in May of this year for $1 per person per visit.  The cost is non-refundable, but does not guarantee a place to park.

How to get there:

Take Exit 31 off Interstate 84 heading east or west 30 miles to the east of Portland.  The exit is out of the left lane into the middle parking area.

Multnomah Falls is also accessible off the Historic Columbia River Highway (30), but do not block or impede traffic while trying to park.

You can also leave your vehicle at Rooster Rock State Park and ride a free shuttle to the falls from May through September.  The state park has a $5 per vehicle day use fee.

Daily bus service is offered by the Columbia River Express all year, including out of Portland.

For more information on the falls and lodge, call the Visitors Center at (503) 695-2372 or the Columbia River Gorge Natural Scenic Area headquarters at (541) 308-1700.

The address is 53000 E. Historic Columbia River Hwy., Bridal Veil, OR 97010.

Text and top photo by Tim Clinton.  Bottom photo by Jeff Clinton.