Less than a half-hour from Portland, Multnomah Falls, on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, draws over 2 million visitors per year, and on most spring and summer weekends its apparent, with packed parking areas and tourists milling all over. One has but to hike just a short ways above the roadside falls to leave the crowds behind and plunge into deep old-growth forest, displaying scores of wildflowers, alongside the rushing cascades and waterfalls of Multnomah and Wahkeena Creeks. Enchanting The loop can be started either at the Multnomah Lodge by picking up the 0.5 mi. Return Trail west, alongside the Historic Columbia River Hwy to Wahkeena Falls, or at the Wahkeena Falls viewing area. After crossing the bridge at the base of Wahkeena Cascade, the paved Wahkeena Trail #420 climbs 0.25 mile to another bridge that crosses the base of the tiered falls, then continues up a series of switchbacks amid slopes decorated with candyflower, larkspur, columbine, and windflower. The pavement ends at a T-junctions, with a short spur that heads right (N) to Lemmon's Point, offering views of the Columbia River Gorge and Beacon Rock. After checking out the point, continue up the trail above Wahkeena Creek. A short ways up, an unmaintained spur trail on the right that leads down to "secret" Necktie Falls and an old, overgrown viewing platform. About 1 mile from the start, up several more switchbacks, is Fairy Falls, a gorgeous 20' cascading veil-type waterfall. Here you'll find a trailside bench near the falls, perfect for a snack break and to spend a few moments admiring the falls. Shortly past Fairy Falls, the trail forks again with options to continue up via Wahkeena Trail #420 or Vista Point Trail #419. Either path takes you to the crest of the loop. If you choose to continue up Trail #420, you will fork left (E) at the junction with Angel's Rest Trail #415. Wisendanger At the 4-way junction at the loop crest, either from the Wahkeena Trail or the Vista Trail, stay on the Wahkeena Trail by taking the lower, left-bearing (NE) fork. Another optional side trip, the right Trail 420C leads 1.6 mi. to Devil's Rest. The trail meanders another mile through fir and hemlock, sprinkled with more columbine, wild iris, strawberry, monkeyflower and tiger lily, until it meets up with Multnomah Creek and the junction with Larch Mountain Trail #441. Turning right up Trail #441 leads 5 steep miles to Larch Mtn and Sherrard Point, where on clear days one can view several Cascades volcanoes in Oregon and Washington. To continue the loop, turn left (N) and head downstream. The first waterfall encountered on the way down is 55' Ecola Falls. The view from the trail above the falls can be obstructed; there is a very loose, steep spur that descends to the base - use discretion. Shortly past Ecola Falls the trail makes a couple switchbacks down to similar-looking Wisendanger Falls. A short spur leads to the water, and rock-hopping to the base of the falls is easy (except during periods of heavy flow) where you can enjoy the spray from the falls on a small, pebbly beach. Bridge View The trail continues down alongside Multnomah Creek, crosses, then forks to the left to the lookout platform at the brink above 620' Multnomah Falls. Here's where you'll pick up lots more trail company, with throngs of visitors trudging up from below to get a look from the top of the falls. It's worth the short side trip to check out the views above the falls and out over the Gorge. Paved again, the trail then takes several long, winding switchbacks down through moss-covered rockfall, sprinkled with Oregon grape, stonecrop, starflower and bleeding heart to the Benson Bridge, a 45' stone bridge built in 1914 that spans the gap between Multnomah's upper and lower falls. This is usually the most crowded part of the trail, with lots of folks peering up and down the tiered waterfall. Finish up by continuing down to the base, and reward your efforts with a soft-serve ice cream at the Lodge's snack bar. Don't forget to check out the small ranger and visitor center for some historic photos, and free information on more hikes in the area. Image gallery See a GPS track of this trail at Backpacker.com (coming soon!).