Overview

• Location: Multnomah County, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Multnomah Creek, near Corbett)

• Waterfall Type: Plunge

• Height: ~52 feet (16 m)

• Trail Distance: ~1.9 miles from the Multnomah Falls parking area via Multnomah-Wahkeena loop

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Year-round; best flow late winter through spring

History & Background

Wiesendanger Falls is a graceful 52-foot plunge on Multnomah Creek encountered on the upper Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Trail — one of the Columbia Gorge’s finest hikes — above the much more famous Multnomah Falls below. The falls and its neighbor Ecola Falls (just downstream) represent the rewards for hikers willing to climb beyond the overwhelmingly popular Multnomah Falls viewpoint into the quieter upper canyon. Named for Albert Wiesendanger, a Portland forester and conservationist who served as curator of the Multnomah Falls area for the U.S. Forest Service in the 1920s–1940s, the falls honor his decades of stewardship of this beloved gorge landmark.

Geology

Wiesendanger Falls plunges 52 feet over a Columbia River Basalt ledge at approximately 700 feet elevation on Multnomah Creek, above the base of Multnomah Falls. The upper Multnomah Creek canyon reflects the same geological processes that created the great falls below — the creek descending steeply over successive resistant basalt ledges. The lush, perpetually moist western gorge environment with its extraordinary moss and fern communities blanketing every surface is fully on display in the upper canyon.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Corbett, OR; Portland, OR (~28 miles west)

• Trail Information:

  • From the Multnomah Falls parking area (I-84 Exit 31), hike the Multnomah Falls Trail to the top of Multnomah Falls (1.1 miles), then continue on the Multnomah-Wahkeena Trail Loop; Wiesendanger Falls is encountered approximately 0.8 miles beyond the top of Multnomah Falls

  • The full Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop is 5.4 miles; Wiesendanger and Ecola Falls reward those who continue beyond the Multnomah Falls viewpoint; parking at Multnomah Falls fills very early on weekends — take the Historic Columbia River Highway Shuttle from Hood River or Corbett

• Parking:

  • Multnomah Falls day-use parking (I-84 Exit 31); USFS day-use fee; fills extremely early on weekends — arrive before 8am or use the shuttle

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible — the upper trail involves significant climbing; the Multnomah Falls viewpoint at the parking area is paved and accessible

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Full flows; the upper canyon is most lush; waterfalls at peak power

• Summer: Lower flows; extremely crowded at Multnomah — the upper canyon is a welcome escape from the crowds below

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; beautiful bigleaf maple color in the upper canyon

• Winter: Full flows; trail open year-round; icy conditions possible on steep sections

Nearby Attractions

• Multnomah Falls (620 ft, Oregon’s tallest — the starting point)

• Ecola Falls (~0.3 miles past Wiesendanger)

• Fairy Falls (via Wahkeena Trail connection)

• Wahkeena Falls (~1 mile west)

• Oneonta Gorge (~3 miles east)

References

• Links:

  • Columbia River Gorge NSA – USFS

  • Travel Oregon – Multnomah Falls and Gorge

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest