Wahkeena and Fairy Falls, Oregon 6/25/12

Wahkeena (which means "most beautiful in Yakama) Falls

 Wahkeena Creek (drive East on I-84 to Bridalveil exit 28, turn left on the Historic Columbia River Highway for 2.5 miles) is a tiny isolated watershed that hosts eight endemic insect species including two unique species of caddis flies that live nowhere else in the world.

The "More Difficult" trail really applies to almost all trails in the Gorge - up and down is the lay of the land here.  The first 3/4 mile of the trail to Fairy Falls is paved, so how difficult can it be?

I think this flower is in the Valerian family

 Lemmon overlook looking toward Washington.

Secure your puppy before taking pictures.

Fairy Falls - an enchanted place

 The kind of place Mr. Thornsby would like, but I can only keep track of either a puppy or a unicorn, but not both on the trail.  Fairy Falls is about 1 mile up the trail, Wahkeena Falls is close to the road.

Upper Latourell Falls 6/20/12

The parking area for Latourell Falls is closed until October 2012 and access is limited to the west end of the trail which intersects with the Historic Columbia River Highway west of the parking area (there is a pullout with space for a handful of cars only).  However, it appears that a fabulous new bathroom is among the improvements, so we will wait patiently.

Pileated Woodpeckers made these large holes in
this snag looking for grubs

Goat's Beard blooming next to
the stream

My new hiking partner, Deagan, goes for his first walk in the woods - he doesn't know how to pose for the camera yet!

Upper Latourell Falls

Still playing hide and seek with the sun this June

The trail ends at the falls

Lots of tiger lilies blooming this month