Weisendanger Falls


June 2008

State: Oregon

Location: Columbia River Gorge

Height: 50

Crest: 15

Water Source: Multnomah Creek

Waypoint: 45.57361N 122.10667W

Summary: Weisendanger Falls is the much smaller, but more adventurous upstream neighbor of Multnomah Falls. If you want to see this pretty waterfall you will have to hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls and then a mile upstream.

Wiesendanger Falls is located upstream of Multnomah Falls. The falls is listed at 50 feet, but it did not seem that tall. Of course that may be because 50 feet is not very tall compared to the 500+ feet of Multnomah Falls. Elsewhere Wiesendanger falls could be an attraction in its own right, but here it is just a minor waterfall.

Seeing Wiesendanger Falls requires a bit of work. If you are looking for an escape from the crowds at the big falls, this is a good waterfall. You first have to hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls. A series of switch backs will take you up 600 feet. You then need to hike upstream on a rocky trail about 1/2 mile to reach Wiesendanger falls. Along the way you will pass the small Dutchman Falls and several rapids. You also might as well stop at the overlook at the top of Multnomah Falls, and see the little falls there just above the big drop.

The falls is named for Albert Wiesendanger, who worked for the USDA Forest Service in the first half of the 20th century. There is a plaque commemorating him along the trail a few hundred downstream of the falls. His name is spelled "Wiesendanger" on the plaque, with the "i" before the "e". Several web sites list the falls as "Weisendanger", with the "e" before the "i".

The trail continues for another 5 miles, looping around and eventually ending at Wahkeena Falls. Along the way it passes Ecola Falls and Fairy Falls.

Nearby Falls

There are a lot of waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. Multnomah Falls is just downstream. Ecola Falls is upstream. Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Latourell Falls are all within 6 miles to the east. Triple Falls, Horsetail Falls and more are to the west.

Photo Gallery




Falls just above Multnomah Falls

Dutchman Falls between Multnomah and Weisendanger

Dutchman Falls

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Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Oct-2009 20:18:47 MDT.

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