Page Index

• Original Elowah Falls Trail
• Elowah Falls
• Upper McCord Creek Trail

1946 State Parks Report: John B. Yeon State Park

The John B. Yeon State Park is situated on McCord Creek, formerly called Kelly Creek, at Mile Post 38.37, a short distance east of Warrendale. A few acres lie north of the railroad right of way with the greater portion of the area on McCord Creek and the contiguous abruptly rising, rock highlands. The tract is described as being in Section 31, Township 1 North of Range 7 East, W.M., in Multnomah County and contains 115 acres, together with certain water rights. The deed dates were July 25 and September 17, 1935.

This state park was named in honor of John B. Yeon, a contemporary of Simon Benson with whom he worked earnestly and persistently in promoting and developing the Oregon State Highway System, showing particular interest in the Columbia River Highway. He was at one time a fellow member of Mr. Benson's on the Oregon State Highway Commission, in the days of its beginnings.

The John B. Yeon state park has a high order of scenic and geologic interest. To the public the chief bid of the park is the beautiful waterfall with a total height of 289[1] feet. Although a comparatively short distance from the highway, the fall is not entirely visible from the McCord Creek highway bridge, because of intervening trees of crowding cliffs. The cliffs also preclude any ample, nearby parking space. A one car pocket is on the outer side, at the east bridge end, safe for one west bound car. Opposite this a good trail leaves the bridge end and meanders upward along the cliff side to an inner vantage point, which opens upon a superlative view of the fall, and its impressive, picturesque surroundings in this unusual exhibit of Gorge geology. There are interesting exposures of layered boulders surrounded by tremendous basalt cliffs rising in successive strata to towering heights of grandeur, which are deeply fissured or worn to forms of interest, forming a scene of secluded weirdness, where voice echoes resound eerily from beetling cliffs, as if mocked by scores of mountain nymphs, hidden in the niches and crannies of the rock walls where they are supposed to dwell.

From this observation point the trail descends to the stream below the fall, crosses on a rustic bridge, where large, detached blocks of stone have lodged, rounds a point and circuitously climbs the west wall of the basin to Point Nesmith, rising almost vertical far above the base of the fall.

In years past a flume led from the creek along a shelf, in part natural, in part blasted from the cliff side, to the turn of the point, where the water entered a pipe conduit that carried it to a pulp mill, once situated near the creek, on the river side of the railroad. This high flume shelf is now utilized as a portion of the park trail that reaches Point Nesmith, then follows up stream some eight hundred feet to a large, creek pool. Those who are physically able, and suitably shod, should not mind making the climb and experiencing the thrill of walking this benched trail along the spectacular cliff side and look down upon the pouring water of the fall into its fascinating basin.

Note: While generally called McCord Creek Falls, we read in Lewis A. McArthur's Oregon Geographic Names, that in 1915 they were named Elowah Falls "by a committee representing the Mazamas and other organizations", with the further comment that "the name was obviously Indian but its meaning had not been determined".

W. A. Langille

State Parks Historian

December 5, 1945

Recommendations:

Picnic areas at the foot of the falls and at the top of the falls should be developed. Also on the tract bordering the river. To reach the river tract, a foot-way will have to be provided thru the railroad culvert. The flat open tract west of the creek and bordering the river owned by the Crown-Zellerback Corporation should be purchased to round out the park. This development to follow the new construction of the highway. The new highway starting at the west end of the present bridge and extending eastward will be some fifty feet south of the present alignment. The old highway beginning at the east end of the bridge end extending eastward some eight hundred feet should be brought to the same gradient as the new highway to provide parking space for the park.

S. H. Boardman

State Parks Superintendent

March 25, 1946

Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

The JOHN B. YEON STATE PARK, 152 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction], was named in honor of an early highway builder.

At the eastern end of the McCord Creek Bridge,152.6 m., is a petrified stump that is believed to have matured long before the Cascade Range was thrust up.

Left from the eastern end of the bridge on a trail along the creek to ELOWAH FALLS.

Oregon State Parks: John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor

John B. Yeon Scenic Corridor honors a man who gave generously of his time and professional skills. He was one of the principal architects of the Historic Columbia River Highway (US 30); a major portion of the scenic highway joins I-84 westbound at Yeon State Park.Here is a hiker's paradise with a gentle rising trail that permits access to two of the most beautiful and secluded waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge: (lower) Elowah Falls and (upper) McCord Creek falls. Elowah Falls is a 289 foot drop over basalt that must be seen to appreciate. The view of the falls and way the tall cliffs jut out at odd angles is nearly disorienting at the bottom of the trail. Most days, the trails are never crowded. The crisp air, easy access and accompanying scenery of this area offer some of the best hiking and viewing opportunities available in the Gorge.

The park was purchased from various owners between 1935 and 1956. The falls were named Elowah in 1915 by a committee of the Mazamas and other organizations. In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a bridge across McCord Creek and 1.5 miles of foot trail. The park was named for John B. Yeon (1865-1928) pioneer lumberman and realtor of Portland. He was a prime supporter of the Columbia River Highway. As Multnomah County Roadmaster from 1913 to 1917, Yeon supervised initial construction of the highway, complimenting his salary and backing the project financially. He served on the Oregon Highway Commission in the years 1920-1923.

Acreage: 219.29

"My GUESS is age-old water supply for the Warrendale homes along the river…the remnant properties of the Warrendale Cannery site. Just an educated guess though."

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