Wahkeena Falls

Original name: Gordon Falls

Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

WAHKEENA (Ind. most beautiful) FALLS,159.6 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction], named for the daughter of a Yakima Indian chief, are considered by some the most beautiful of the many falls in the gorge. There is no sheer drop, but the waters hurl themselves in a series of fantastic cascades down the steep declivity. Wahkeena Creek has its source in Wahkeena Springs only a mile and a half above the cliff over which the waters plunge.

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/exhibits/across/eaglecr.html

Wah-Kee-Na Falls, Columbia River Highway, OregonPhotographer: Eddy

"The former owners of this property intended to use these falls for operating woolen mills to be located at the mountain's base. Through the splendid spirit of Mr. S. Benson, one of Portland's wealthy citizens, this jewel of Nature has been rescued."

Lancaster 1914, 62-64

Wahkeena Falls, Columbia River Highway in the foregroundPhoto by Charles W. Post.Clarence E. Mershon. The Columbia River Highway: From the Sea to the Wheat Fields of Eastern Oregon. Portland: Guardian Peaks Enterprises. 2006. 1st Edition. 135.

Wah-Kee-Na FallsLipschuetz and Katz. Oregon's Famous Columbia River Highway. Portland: Lipschuetz and Katz. 1920. University of California Libraries(https://archive.org/details/oregonsfamouscol00lips)

Map reprinted from Annual Edition Portland Oregonian, January 1, 1915 : Sherman, Marty. Joyce Herbst. Kathy Johnson. Discovering Old Oregon Series: Volume 1 - Columbia River Gorge. 1984. Portland, OR: Frank Amato Publications. 6.

Wahkeena Falls, 225 ft. high; Columbia River Highway, OregonSawyer Scenic Photos, Inc. Wahkeena Falls, 225 Ft. High; Columbia River Highway, Oregon. Sawyer Scenic Photos, Inc, c. 1920.Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Libraryhttp://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3524675

"A rock avalanche in the mid-1960's on the east side of the falls destroyed some of the natural beauty of the area and the stream is now forced to flow underneath a large quantity of rock in its path."

Lowe and Lowe, 100 Hikes 48

Frozen Wahkeena Creek and FallsColumbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Oregon. December 10, 2013

Wahkeena Falls LogWahkeena Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. October 14, 2010.

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