Fairy Falls Loop Hike

Overview

This hike up the Wahkeena Canyon allows you to take in all the remarkable features of a stream that is less than a mile long. Wahkeena Creek issues from massive Wahkeena Spring and tumbles precipitously to soon be joined by another stream fed by a copious spring that spouts a little farther west below the Angels Rest Trail. Then the unnamed creek that hosts pretty Fairy Falls joins the spate as it plunges through a narrow defile and over three-tiered, 242-foot Wahkeena Falls. A lollipop loop takes you on the Vista Point Trail, which offers some far-reaching views, and then down to Wahkeena Spring. Wahkeena Creek hosts three endemic species: the Wahkeena Falls flightless stonefly (Nanonemoura wahkeena), the Wahkeena Creek caddisfly (Neothremma andersoni), and the Wahkeena Creek amphipod (Stygobromus wahkeenensis), a small subterranean shrimp-like crustacean described in 2001. There's almost 1,500 feet in elevation gain on this hike in about 1 3/4 miles, so be prepared to find your aerobic groove! The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned over most of this area, but the crown fire sections are small and the understory is making a rapid comeback. Walk up to the viewing plaza just above the parking area on the highway. You can appreciate the tiers of Wahkeena Falls from here, but in spring and summer, the view is partially obscured by left maple trees. Head to your right, and cross a footbridge over Wahkeena Creek. Then make a traverse on a paved trail into Douglas-fir/hemlock woods before making a switchback up. The trail traverses to cross the stone bridge in front of Wahkeena Falls, which may douse you with heavy spray on a windy day. A bench makes a good resting spot or a turnaround if you're pressed for time. From here, the trail starts up a steep section, climbing about 600 feet in about half a mile. Continue west to pass the former junction with the closed Perdition Trail at a large Douglas-fir. From here, the pathway, which is still paved, rises in 11 stone-walled switchbacks to a junction. Take the short spur to

Trail Stats

Photos

400px-FairyFallsLoopMap

400px-FairyFallsLoopMap

250px-Looking_back_down_to_Vista_Point%2C_Vista_Point_Trail

250px-Looking_back_down_to_Vista_Point%2C_Vista_Point_Trail

250px-View_to_Beacon_Rock_from_Vista_Point%2C_Vista_Point_Trail

250px-View_to_Beacon_Rock_from_Vista_Point%2C_Vista_Point_Trail

250px-FairyFalls2

250px-FairyFalls2

300px-FairyFalls1

300px-FairyFalls1

TKO put tools to trail here.png

TKO put tools to trail here.png

Tags