Wahclella Falls
Cascade Locks, Oregon, USA

Wahclella Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.  The thing about that is...one could say that about all of the waterfalls in this beautiful, lush green area...but this one is a two tiered scenic gem that makes it well worth the hike!

Hiking to Wahclella Falls

Parking for the falls is located near the Bonneville Dam and the trailhead is marked well.  The round trip hike is 2 miles, so it's doable for most hikers.

The trail follows the creek most of the way and even passes right by another waterfall that is so close you can touch it as you cross the first creekside bridge at Munra Falls.

Munra Falls - Wahclella Falls Trail, Oregon

Stunning views and scenery present themselves all along the trail that roused a deep longing within us to return to Oregon as soon as possible.

The trail to Wahclella Falls meandered through an alluring glen carved by the wandering creek.  It led us up staircases at just the right points, across muddy runoff crossings, up and down hills and switchbacks, across quaint bridges, and through some of the most beautiful landscapes we've ever seen.

After the downhill switchbacks and the long beautiful bridge across the creek, we climbed one final, magnificently mossy framed section of uphill trail that led to where the gorge beautifully framed the majestic Wahclella Falls that we came to see.

A small, wooden bridge flanked by the moss-covered, Basalt cliffs, made for the perfect photo opportunity before finishing our trek to the falls.

We always stand in awe at the base of any waterfall and Wahclella Falls was no different in that respect.

But as waterfalls go, they all have their own unique flows and personalities and Wahclella certainly enamoured us with hers.

As already mentioned, her Basalt cliff framework, along with her bi-directional fall, gives her that extra magical feel.

She is like structured chaos, but that's what God does.  He makes beautiful order out of chaos and Wahclella Falls is indeed ordered well.

All in all, what a beautiful hike with plenty of rewarding scenery to enjoy on the Wahclella Falls Trail!

Wahclella Falls and the Glory of God

You might have read that headline and said, "What?!  What are these people talking about?  What does a waterfall or a trail or anything on this page have to do with God?"

Well, we're glad you asked.

Fact is, there is a God in heaven who not only created the heavens and the earth long ago, but also created you and me and every single human being who has ever breathed a breath in this world...and even those who died or were killed in the womb before they were allowed to take their first breath.

Romans 1:19-25 spells it out plainly:

"They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.

Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.

And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.

They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen."

That is a quote from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible which plainly spells out how God is revealed through His creation and that it literally testifies of Him and reveals things about Him.

So when we see beautiful landscapes like the ones present at Wahclella Falls and on these beautiful Oregon trails and elsewhere, we are seeing a testimony of the Lord's love toward us in giving us this scenery and resources to enjoy and take care of.

But, Romans 1 also gives warnings, including the fact that we must be careful not to worship the creation itself, but to worship the Creator of it all.  Then with this warning comes consequences of violating it.

But, the warnings of the scripture also provide wonderful good news of God's grace and love!  John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

So, I encourage you, before you head out on the trail and enjoy all of the beauty and air that God gives us to breathe...consider the God who made it all...and seek Him to learn more about Him.

To help you on your search, take a few minutes and look up Romans chapter 1 online or in a hard copy of the bible and read it slowly for yourself.  

After you read it, you may want to take this quick quiz to see where you really are spiritually.

May God bless you and continue to reveal Himself to you through Wahclella Falls and each and every trail you hike.

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