Elowah Falls, in the Columbia River Gorge. The low flow in late summer allows the waterfall to twist and turn in the wind.

Elowah Falls is a stunning waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. Even though it’s pretty easy to get to, it is relatively uncrowded. Most of the tourists just visit the larger Multnomah Falls, and that seems to satisfy them. And the main road, old US-30, funnels you back onto the interstate before you pass the trailhead for Elowah Falls. As a result, it’s really only found by those looking for it, which is enough to keep viewership fairly low. On this late August afternoon, I was the only person there. This falls is both intimate and majestic at the same time, falling 228 feet off sheer cliffs. The wind was ripping through the clearing, causing the waterfall to take some cool shapes. Most of the shots of Elowah are from further down the creek, which shrouds the waterfall in foliage and makes it look forested. I was downright shocked when I saw how wide open it was, and attempted to capture that aspect of its character here.

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