Recent posts have dealt with history for the most part – military history, mostly – World War 1 and the American Civil War. There are several more to come dealing with the later, so I thought to break it up a bit.
Spring again. Amazing how that happens every year. Days lengthen, the geese filter away, flowers pop. Magic happens.
MAGIC IN NATURE
It is time to get out and enjoy the magic up close. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with an abundance of nature. That nature is there all the time to discover. Every season has its moments. But a sunny day with calm winds and temperatures pushing near 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of April can be especially theatrical. Today seemed like the perfect chance to experience some of the enchantment.
I have written about Elowah Falls before – more than once, in fact. It is a very easy hike with about 430 feet of elevation gain in one mile – two miles of hiking in total.
ELOWAH FALLS – AGAIN
Starting from a small car park shared by some bicycle riders riding on the Columbia Gorge bike path and hikers taking on something a little more serious – the Nesmith Point Trail, now open after being closed for a few years after the nasty fire in 2017.
You wander past the Nesmith Point trail junction
and on slowly gaining ground through a ghost forest, alive in the underbrush but dead in the crown. Views are farther reaching, but at a cost.
At the first switchback is a second trail junction. Staying level and going left, the trail formerly crossing McChord Creek beneath the base of the Elowah Falls heads out. We stay to the right.
At the next switchback, look for the old iron tubes that used to carry water from the upper part of Elowah Creek down to a small pulp mill on the Columbia River in the latter part of the 19th century.
Look up from each eastern hairpin to see the trail making its way through the basaltic cliffs above.
TRUE MAGIC ENDURES
True charms truly begin to enchant as you gain the top of the last switchback.
Here, the trail levels out – it was chiseled from the cliffs to gain access for the waterpower. The views open amazingly as you wander into the Elowah Falls basin.
The path drips a bit. If you are low to the ground, you get wet.
Rails provide some sense of safety, though some always want to go the extra step.
Views across the river give a grand look at Hamilton and Table Mountains on the Washington side of the Columbia. You can even glimpse the top of Mount Adams farther to the east.
The trail wheels back into the basin above the top of the lower Elowah Falls. Walking level, the path gives a great view of the upper Elowah Falls as it winds around coming to the creek just above the crest of the waterfall.
Without trekking poles – since the hike was taken on a whim – the log crossing did not look promising, especially if one must cross carrying their four-legged friend.
TOO QUICKLY, THE ENCHANTMENT FADES
The only thing left now is to return the way you came. Going back through the bewitching trail carved from the dripping cliffs, maybe time for a little snack on the way.
Back down the switchbacks,
underneath the obstacles.
To your homeward-bound ride.