Saturday’s forecast predicted rain, but this time of year the forecast can barely be taken as a suggestion, let alone fact. So Greg and I went hiking anyway. It rained. Sigh. (Ironically enough, I stayed home on Sunday because rain was also predicted for that day and I didn’t feel like getting soaked again. But THAT was the nicer of the two days. Doh!)

Still a fair amount of water coming down Multnomah Falls.

Took a shot of Little Multnomah Falls above. I usually skip the viewpoint when I do this hike.

Greg and I were here just three months ago and this log at Dutchman Falls was not here. Yet another waterfall obscured by a fallen tree.

A little bird serenaded us from a log at the base of Weisendanger Falls. Birdsong is surprisingly loud. We could hear it loud and clear over the roar of the waterfall.

I was totally disheartened to see snow on the ground on the trail between Multnomah and Wahkeena Creeks. This is below 1500 feet. It is April. Spring felt very very far away when I walked this section of trail.

When I got to the first junction, I took the longer trail on the right, rather the one on the left that I normally take. It was QUITE muddy and slippery. But it did take me across the creek that forms Fairy Falls a little further downstream, and I got this lovely little shot.

As soon as I reached Wahkeena Creek, the rain started falling hard again, and continued to do so the entire way down the creek, ceasing, of course, once I left the creek. Grrrr….. I attempted some quick pictures at a few spots, exposing my camera to a thorough soaking, but it was pretty hopeless. Lots of water spots on the lens.

Things are starting to green up a little out there, and I even saw a few trilliums. But we’re still several weeks away from seeing more green than brown.

I wonder if there are plans to replace the smashed bridge over Wahkeena Creek? The mess of boards and logs they have over the creek now is quite tricky to cross when they are slippery from rain and the creek water is high.

 

Another hike with my roommate’s dog, this time just a short jaunt in the Gorge past Elowah Falls. I was so happy to be out stretching my legs with the dog that I didn’t even notice the spiders for quite awhile. We hiked down to Elowah Falls from John B. Yeon with incident. The falls are small and wispy, as always for this time of year. I stopped and set up my tripod and took some pictures while Besa sniffed and explored. Then we continued on along the Gorge Trail, my goal being Moffet Creek, which would make for a nice 4.5 mile round trip outing.

The only problem is that this trail isn’t hiked as much as the portion between the parking lot and the waterfall. It’s a lot more brushy and there were a lot of spiders! Webs across the trail at every height, and all amongst the bushes on the side too. After inadvertently walking into a few (despite trying to keep my eyes open for them), I found a big stick and started knocking them all down. Nevertheless, I still found myself with stray webs brushing against my face and arms. After half a mile of this, I couldn’t take it anymore. I have a HORRIBLE fear of spiders, and the great abundance of them was really starting to creep me out.

So we turned around and headed back. The funny thing is that now that my brain was in full spider-alert mode, I spotted all sorts of them (high up and in the bushes along the trail) between Elowah Falls and the parking lot that I hadn’t even noticed on the way in! Ugh. So if you’re out in the Gorge this season, carry a stick or be prepared to be webbed!

In general, I love autumn, but the big downside is the abundance of spiders. Those bastards are everywhere this time of year!

Here’s how Elowah Falls looks right now:

On Memorial Day I had the crazy idea to take some friends hiking in the Gorge. Fortunately we got an early start because it was crowded out there! We did the loop that starts at Horsetail Falls, goes up behind Ponytail Falls and past Middle Oneonta Falls, and then up to Triple Falls. Of course everything is vivid green and there are lots of wildflowers blooming along the trail. This is a really pleasant hike, and even though there’s some elevation gain, it’s a good trail for newbie hikers since there’s plenty of scenery and the total distance comes out to about 4.5 miles.

I never cease to be impressed at walking behind a waterfall.

Middle Oneonta Falls. This summer I really want to “hike” up the creek to see Lower Oneonta Falls.

Lovely Triple Falls, our lunch spot.