Wahkeena Falls  –  type: tiered & fan

Wah-Kee-Na falls is without a doubt in some ways the most beautiful of the many falls along the Highway, and in fact, means “most beautiful” in the Yakima Indian language.  The falls is a series of alternating vertical drops and rushing cascades, in total height, 242 feet. As much as the nature of the falls itself, is character and charm given to the place by the towering rock cliffs from high up between which in a niche of its own making, the whitened stream suddenly leaps into view

Wahkeena has at least two distinguishing features:

Ø     The main falls is fan-shaped and there is a series of cascades above and below it.

Ø     There's an easy walk up to a footbridge across the creek, which offers
 a spectacular view. (Release Agreement is Required to hike on any trails)

Wahkeena trail climbs to 900 ft. for a spectacular view of the Columbia River, described by Rudyard Kipling as “penned between gigantic stone walls crowned with the ruined bastions of oriental palaces.” (Release Agreement is Required to hike on any trails)

 Stretching from rain forest to desert and from sea-level to mountains, Gorge ecosystems provide a wide range of habitat for plants & animals.  The Wahkeena falls watershed is just 1 example of a unique Gorge ecosystem.