Once Jules Renard said, On Earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it. The high mountain peaks, beautiful rivers, stunning sand dunes, lush green forests and magnificent waterfalls are all those beautiful pieces that scattered on the Earth. One such beautiful piece is Elowah Falls, Oregon. Also known by an alternate name, McCord Creek Falls, this waterfall is truly magnificent. The fall was once, also known as Pierce Falls. At the height of 289 feet, the waterfall is one of the most splendid formations of the nature. The clean water falling from a tall height, the tall surrounding cliffs and the beautiful fauna and flora are enough to take the breath away. It is located in John B. Yeon State Park. The fall is on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. The place is a must visit for the people who love tranquility and serenity. The place is truly a heaven for those who want to steal some moments away from the hustle and bustle of the city and want to spend some time in the lap of the nature. The surplus advantage for these people is that, the waterfall receives fewer crowds.
The fall is basically situated near Warrendale in the Columbia River George. Just drive east from Portland along l-84, exit Dodson Exit's freeway. Take left onto the frontage road, running parallel to the Interstate, just after exiting the freeway. Follow the frontage road for 2 miles to the John B. Yeon State Park. In case you are going west on I-84, you just need to exit I-84 at Exit 37, take a left turn and then a short drive to the parking lot. From the parking lot, the trail starts climbing for about .3 miles to a signed fork. The right fork leads uphill very steeply. A ledge that is carved out of the rock, around 400 feet above the canyon offers a stupendous aerial view of the waterfall. The fork, then proceeds to the Upper McCord Creek Falls. The left trail cascades to McCord Creek and cross the front of the base of the waterfall. The fall is not very far away from the highway. If you drive along the I-84, you can clearly see the waterfall from the freeway.
Looking east up the Columbia River Gorge, from Crown Point in Oregon, USA.
Kitesurfing on the Columbia River
The fall has 1 drop at 213 feet. The average width of the fall is 10 feet, and it runs for around 30 feet. The average volume of the waterfall is around 75.0 cfs. Near the base of the waterfall, there is a bridge that crosses the creek.
The waterfall flows throughout the year, but late winters and spring season are the best time to visit. The waterfall is surrounded by two cliffs on either side. The cliffs covered with yellow-green lichen look very beautiful. Amidst the natural beauty of the waterfall, one could totally forget all the worries of the world and enjoy the proximity with the nature. The place offers some of the breathtakingly beautiful views.
Hiking to Elowah Falls is a once in a lifetime experience. Plan a hiking trip at the Elowah Falls with your family or your friends and enjoy the proximity with the nature. Many hiking trips are organized at the Elowah Falls. The McCord Creek clatters into a gargantuan amphitheatre. The amphitheatre is composed of different enunciated lava flows. The difficulty level of hiking there is quite low, thus hiking there is an easy and fun experience for the beginners.
The stunning Elowah Falls is an alluring place. The place with its angelic beauty and serenity becomes a must visit. It is, undoubtedly, one of the finest creations of the God.