A 2.4-mile Gorge hike passes a hatchery dam, a spray-soaked bridge and a two-tier waterfall
Some Gorge hikes make you earn the waterfall. Wahclella Falls hands you a whole parade of them, and the hardest part is deciding where to stop for photos.
The trail follows Tanner Creek for 2.4 miles round trip, with roughly 300 to 350 feet of climbing. Your legs will notice, but your lunch plans won’t change. It’s rated easy, and it’s open year-round.
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Before the main event
The first surprise isn’t the waterfall you came for. Near the start, a small dam and fish ladder tied to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery sit at the end of a closed access road, and it’s a fun little detour.
Just past it, a blind curve reveals Munra Falls. A footbridge crosses right at its base, and you may get sprayed, so zip up before you cross.
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The two-tier payoff
More footbridges carry you over Tanner Creek, and the lower one has the best creek views of the walk. Then the canyon pinches in and Wahclella Falls pours out of a narrow gorge into a cedar-shaded amphitheater.
The main lower drop runs around 60 feet, and a semi-hidden upper tier adds roughly 50 more. A seasonal waterfall called East Fork Falls is usually visible from the lower trail for much of the year, so look up before you turn around.
My vote: this is the best first Gorge hike for anyone who wants big waterfall energy without a big sweat. The Mazamas climbing club named the falls back in 1915, so you’re walking toward a name with some age on it.
Good to know before you go
Parking at the trailhead takes a Northwest Forest Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass, so pick up a day-use parking pass before you go if you don’t have one. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Fall through spring is the sweet spot, though the shaded falls area stays cool in summer. The trail closed for two years after the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire and reopened in August 2019, so check the Forest Service alerts for current trail conditions before you head out.
Which would you hit first if you only had an hour: the big name or the surprise around the bend? Tell us your go-to Gorge stop in the comments.
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
