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Latourell Falls |  Starvation Creek Falls
| Oregon has some amazing waterfalls, and many of the best are crammed into a fifteen mile stretch of the Columbia River Gorge 30 miles east of Portland. Latourell Falls is a tall powerfull cascade set on a backdrop of columnar basalt. Multnomah Falls is even taller, the tallest in the state but that only helps to create a zoo like atmosphere around it. There is a trail that loops up & over to Wahkeena Falls (5 miles, 1540ft gain) and it passes pretty Fairy Falls however the first leg up to the top of Multnomah Falls is paved, and both big waterfalls are right on the highway. Horsetail Falls to Oneonta Gorge Loop is even shorter (2.8 miles 740ft gain) and includes lovely Triple Falls as its feature attaction. Elowah Falls is the easy choice for those who like tall narrow waterfalls in camera friendly settings while Wahclella Falls is for those who prefer the soothing roar of a powerful cascade. Both are within a mile of the highway although Elowah Falls will make you work a little harder.The only major waterfall that requires a real hike is Tunnel Falls, which like its name suggests features a tunnel blasted through the rock behind the falls. The entire trail is an engineering marvel, a groove cut into the side a deep steep walled canyon. It's six miles from the trailhead to the tunnel but the elevation gain is minimal and the scenery is out of this world. Amid the lush Jurassic like vegetation are numerous waterfalls, most notably postcard perfect Punchbowl Falls. There are many more waterfalls in the gorge but most like Starvation Falls offer only a glimse of their true magnitude. | The volcanoes are documented here - this page is all about the other cool places to visit in Oregon 
Eagle Cap Wilderness  Located in the Northeast corner of Oregon, the Wallowa Mountains closely resemble the Sierras in California and even have a Half-Dome like monolith called Eagle Cap as a prominent feature. The Lakes Basin loop (right 30 miles, 4000+ ft) samples the best of the area in the shortest possible circuit, entering and exiting via the West Fork Wallowa River. The scenery culminates with the ascent of Glacier Pass where you spy spectacular Glacier Lake (above).
The other popular alternative is to take the East Fork Lostine River 7+ miles, 2000+ ft to marvelous Mirror Lake (below). From there you have the choice of going to either Glacier Pass or climbing Eagle Cap itself. 
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| The Oregon Coast From Cannon Beach to the Heceta Head Lighthouse, the north coast is a traditional vacation spot that features sand, shopping and systematically located 'scenic viewpoints', which cater to windshield tourists. Once past the Sea Lion Caves, a classic 'tourist trap', the scenery changes and you enter the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Dune buggies claim most of this territory but sections like the Umpqua Dunes are free of motorized vehicles and well worth exploring. South of here the shoreline is consistently rugged and frequently spectacular like at Harris Beach State Park. There are a few gems hidden amongst the Coast Ranges, the foremost being the Oregon Caves National Monument. Unlike dull featureless lava tubes these caves are full of interesting subterranean goodies. Access is via an inexpensive, frequently run guided tour. There are also a couple notable waterfalls, Kentucky Falls, Golden & Silver Falls, all worthwhile but nowhere near the magnificence of their Cascade cousins like Proxy Falls or even Toketee Falls. |  Silver Falls State Park
Just east of Salem is a park loaded with an impressive set of waterfalls. There is a trail that winds through the park passing behind nearly every one of them. Ample parking options mean you can skip most of the trail and hike directly to the waterfall of your choice. South Falls is the feature attraction but the others are worthwhile destinations too with Middle North Falls being particularly pleasing.è |
