9 min
Overview
This is a pretty little hike in the Columbia River Gorge leading to an amazing 115 foot secluded waterfall, as well as a very photogenic creek scene below. This hike begins at the Wyeth Trailhead. Follow the trail 100 feet to the Gorge-Wyeth Trail Junction near Gorton Creek. The Wyeth Trail heads uphill to the left, and the Gorge Trail #400 leads across the creek to the right, but the one you want is straight ahead. Follow this wide path along the creek nearly level 1/2 mile, passing several small cascades and coming to a beautiful ten foot slide named Emerald Falls. This is a great place for hikers with kids to turn around.... but the real adventure is just up ahead. The official trail ends here but a moderate route continues up the creek on the left side. It dips and twists about 100 yards, gaining most of the elevation of the hike as you scramble up boulders and climb on roots near the creek. The "trail" ends at spectacular, two-tiered Gorton Creek Falls. The lower tier is somewhere around 80 feet tall, and the upper tier is smaller, about thirty feet. There are many angles to take pictures of the falls, but the only angle that doesn't hide the upper tier is from straight on. Take a break, then head back the way you came.
Trail Stats
0.0 km
45 m
0 m
0 m
—
Photos
250px-Gortoncreekfalls3
250px-Gortoncreekfalls3
250px-Emerald2
250px-Emerald2
300px-Gortoncreekfalls1
300px-Gortoncreekfalls1