These are just a few of the waterfalls you can see on the way up to mt st Helens. They are not huge and they are not named but they are beautiful. If you stop at lookout points don't forget to look on the rock wall behind you, for a waterfall. I can't tell you how many people didn't see the waterfall until they saw me taking the picture of it. I'm sure it is just snow melt so if you go later in the summer they may not be there.

Horse Tail Falls

Horse Tail Falls is right on the highway. It had a lot of spray that was VERY cold. It is a pretty waterfall with a wonderful pool that you can go right up to and into if you can stand the cold water.

Multnomah Falls

Brent and I have been to Multnomah Falls before. It is one of our favorite places to go on a sunny day.Usually we take the mile long switchback trail to the top, but today we did not. There are not any good picture opportunities of the waterfall from the top; though there are good views of the river.We only hiked the short distance to the bridge.

This is a two tier waterfall with a large bridge across the middle. It is a famous waterfall from Oregon. Brent had a wonderful time playing in puddles and dropping small rocks into the water below. There is a restaurant, a gift shop and a exhibit about the waterfalls and animals around the gorge. It is great for the whole family.

Wahkeena Falls

We were pretty warn out by the time we got to Wahkeena Falls. Next time we plan to do the hike up to the view point so I should have better pictures for you in the future. We took some pictures of what you can see from the highway and as you can see it is a VERY large waterfall.

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls was my favorite that we saw today. It is a short walk to the falls but its all down hill. Which means we had to trek back up hill the whole way. It was very tiring and we had to stop to rest a couple times, but it is worth it for this beautiful waterfall. This one is going on my list of locations for portraits. It is a wonderful place for anyone wanting there picture taken with a waterfall behind them. There is a nice viewing deck that you have to go up several stairs to get to. There is also a nice little spot that was perfect for Brent to throw rocks. One of his favorite activities.

Latourell Falls

Latourel Falls is the first waterfall you come to on the historic highway in the Columbia Gorge. There were two trails. One that goes up and one that goes down. On this trip we went down to the bottom. Next time we want to try the up hill trail. The trail gets really close to the falls and we got sprayed thoroughly. Very pretty waterfall. It is my second favorite for the day.

Our First Adventure

Who: Rachel and Brent

Where: Columbia Gorge, Oregon

Before I get to the actual trips I am going to share with you the morning we had. Brent and I were ready to go at 8am this morning. We loaded up the car and I put the car keys in my pocket to free up my hands to buckle Brent into his car seat. When I pulled the keys out of my pocket the car key snapped in half. It had already had a crack in it and we were going to get a new one soon but not fast enough apparently.

Anyway I had to call people and go get a new key for the car. I was afraid our trip would be postponed to another day but it didn't take to long to get it all worked out. we were on the road by 11 am. We stopped at the Vista House to check out the view and eat a little lunch before we moved on down the historic highway.

The first waterfall we came to was Latourell Falls, then Bridal Veil Falls, then on down to Wahkeena Falls, Then to the famous Multnomah falls, we finished at Horse Tail Falls. Each of these will get its own post with it's name as the title.

Before we even got back to hwy 84 Brent was asllep in the back seat. We stared home a little before 4. There were a few falls we didn't see and some we didn't hike all the way in. We both want to go back another day and explore further.

Hope you enjoy
Rae

What Im Doing

So I am a photographer with a love for waterfalls. This is my blog for my waterfall adventures. This is where I will be posting the stories, the bloopers, the fun moments and OF COURSE the PICTURES!

My name is Rachel Doucette. I have decided to make a list of 100 waterfalls in the northwest (Washington state, Oregon, and Idaho) and a list of 10 waterfalls world wide that I would like to see before I die. I have not finished my list yet but keep checking back because I will post it as soon as I'm finished with it. Though I may see more than one waterfall in a trip each one will have its own post with it's name as the title. If it is on one of my list it will have a number by it. (NW16, would be number 16 on my northwest list. W6, would be number 6 on my world list).

Now for my assistants who have volunteered or were drafted into helping me with this quest!

My first mate and little man, Brenton Tombleson. He is my 4 year old son who loves to hikes and loves waterfalls even more than I do. You will probably often see pictures of him throwing rocks into the streams and rivers near the waterfalls. He also loves to take pictures and some of his pictures will be posted from our trips as well.

My father, David Tombleson and my husband, Sean Doucette have been drafted into being my hiking specialist. Some of these waterfalls are quite difficult to get to and may even take a few days of backpacking. I am known for getting lost and being kinda clumsy, so I have my menfolk to get me there and home in one piece.

Stephanie White is my sister and a waterfall / hiking lover like myself. She will be joining me on some of my hikes that are to hard for Brent to come along so I don't have to go alone.

That is it for now I think. I will add updates on plans for future trips as well as blogs on the trips them selves. I hope this blog inspires you to go out and enjoy nature or at least enjoy my pictures.

Thanks
Rae