There’s something about waterfalls which have captured the imagination of people for generations. The site of water cascading over cliffs and down slopes produce some of the most breathtaking scenery you will ever lay eyes on, and the sound of rushing water always seems to sooth the soul. Being a lifelong Oregonian, I’ve been fortunate to have been around waterfalls my entire life. Oregon and the Pacific Northwest are filled with a high concentration of waterfalls, especially in the Columbia River Gorge, the Cascade Range and the Coast Range. As a result, I’ve spent most of my life hiking to waterfalls and enjoying the serenity they always seem to provide.
As a child, I would frequently go hiking with my father in the Columbia River Gorge, observing the waterfalls and taking in the beauty. When I met my now wife, we would frequent the gorge on hikes. In fact, we were married there. Even now as a professional, I still always seem to find my way out to waterfalls as I’ve always found them comforting. Time always slows down, and there’s a calming, soothing almost silence in the sound of waterfalls as it flows over the cliffs and downstream.
The Columbia River Gorge is filled with the highest concentration of waterfalls in the United States. Multnomah Falls is probably the most famous waterfall in Oregon, and it’s also the highest. Latourell Falls has always been one of my favorites here. The water drops over columnar basalt formations, and in the winter when ice clings to the cliffs it transforms into a winter wonderland. Spirit Falls on the Washington side of the Gorge may be the most beautiful waterfall I’ve ever laid eyes on.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is another well known Pacific Northwest spot filled with waterfalls. Lower Lewis River Falls may be the most famous waterfall here, though Big Springs Creek Falls is far more photogenic. It’s a green wonderland of water, trees and mossy that almost feels like a sanctuary of water and moss.
Waterfalls are all over out west, even further south. Crater Lake National Park has a year round waterfall, Vidae Falls, which flows down the green clad outer edge of the east rim year round, and in the spring wildflowers often grow around it. Yosemite National Park is famous for its waterfalls. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, and it’s an ephemeral waterfall which dominates the valley when it’s flowing. Bridalveil Fall is another stunning one, often viewed falling over the gates of the valley though it’s equally stunning viewed from the meadows of Yosemite Valley. The most famous waterfall in Yosemite is probably Horsetail Fall, which is better known as the Firefall due to the well known optical illusion that causes its waters to ignite like lava and fire for 2 weeks every February.
One of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen with waterfalls is Running Eagle Falls in Glacier National Park. Also known as Trick Falls, it’s actually a double waterfall where at high flow during the spring melt a second waterfall from a different water source falls on top of the first. Rising Wolf Mountain dominates the background behind it, and when sunset lights the clouds ablaze time seems to stand still.
I’ve spent most of my life chasing waterfalls, and for good reason. They’re incredibly beautiful and unique. I’ve always found them peaceful and serene, and I’ve often spent time seeking them out when I need to contemplate or relax. They’ve always filled me with a sense of awe and wonder, and I hope everyone viewing my Waterfall Fine Art Photography gallery feels the same sense of peace and serenity they’ve always brought me.
