How much time will you have--a late afternoon or a full day or two? Some of the falls are shootable just a few steps from the car. Others require a short hike. Let us know how much time and we'll chime in on how to prioritize.
I will be there for a week, from the 22nd to the 29th. I have time to shoot both early in the morning and in the evening. For the majority of the day though, I will be at the conference. However, I hope this will work in my favor as I can exploit early morning and late evening light. I also plan to visit Cannon Beach and Trillium Lake.
Appreciate the feedback and suggestions. I want to make the best of this trip
Since you will have several days and plan to go to several places in the state, I recommend buying Greg Vaughn's Photographing Oregon.
As for the Gorge, it's go wide or go home. I would take your widest lens--16mm ff or 10-20mm crop sensor and a zoom for isolating elements. Even with a wide angle, you will need a tripod. The canyons are deep and dark, and you'll want all your options. might need waders or sandals for Punchbowl Falls
Several Falls are shootable with a short walk from your car: Latourell, Wahkeena, Multnomah, and Horsetail. You could do them in an evening. My Three favorites are Elowah and Wahclella, each a 2-3 mile roundtrip hike, and Punchbowl,which is 4 mi rt. Some of the prettiest areas of Multnomah and Wahkeena are doable on a single 5.4 mile hike from Multnomah Falls, up the creek to two more falls, across to Wahkeena creek, and down that to Fairy Falls and WahkeenaFalls. It always feels like a workout to me, and you would want a good map, but it is magical all the way.
Hopefully others will chime in with suggestions too. If not, get Vaughn's book and Sullivan's 100 hikes in NOrthwest Oregon and you will have all the photographic and navigational advice you need.
That's a lot of wonderful information. I'll definitely check out both books you mentioned. Just googled some of the falls and they look jaw droppingly beautiful. Yes, I love off the path trails. You often return with good images that way.
I have some questions about safety though. Are there any wild animals to be aware of. Also do I need to carry any other things while on the hike? Since this is my first time visiting Oregon, I have no idea about the lay of the land, and other factors. Are the trails open throughout the day?
I know I'm asking too many questions, but I want to make sure that I cover all the bases
Posted by Greg Vaughn on April 3, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Marylynne: Thanks for recommending my book! I fully agree with your suggestions for which waterfalls to visit, and also the suggestion for Bill Sullivan's hiking guide.
Sairam: All of the waterfalls Marylynne suggested will be good to photograph early in the morning or late in the day. Almost all face north and are shaded by surround cliffs early and late so you will have soft light even on an otherwise sunny day.
Another photo you might want to try for is the classic view of the Columbia River Gorge and Vista House at Crown Point from Women's Forum Park. This is great just before sunset, and the angle of the sun is best right around the summer solstice. Sunrise can be good there, too.
As far as safety goes, this part of Oregon is probably one of the safest places you can go to hike. The only "wildlife" you need to be concerned with on any of these trails are ticks and mosquitos. Use bug repellant and check yourself and your clothing for ticks after hiking. Oh, and watch out for the banana slugs. Some of them are big enough to trip an unwary hiker. (Just kidding).
As with hiking anywhere, and especially if you are planning on late in the day hikes, carry with you the 10 Essentials for hiking. When you visit the coast, if on a beach or rocky shore always keep an eye on the surf and watch out for sneaker waves and drift logs. If any of those terms are unfamiliar to you, please Google them or ask for clarification.
On your last question: all of the trails and locations you mention are open 24/7. The only exception would be Ecola State Park at Cannon Beach, which is closed at night but stays open late enough for sunset light.
A couple more tips:
Regarding wildlife and other dangers: The gorge has very few. I saw a deer and newborn fawn once, and there was a cougar sighting at Wahkeena spring 7 or 8 years ago, but the place is well used enough that large wildlife is fairly rare. Most risks to human life there involve falling into canyons or getting lost, hence my recommendation of Sullivan's book. You will want to stay on the trails at all times (even the Multnomah/Wahkeenah loop I mentioned is a trail) and be careful if you get down near the water on the rocks. The rocks are slippery, and even in June, the water is really cold. I was only able to stand in sandals at the pool under Punchbowl for about one minute before my feet went numb.
Regarding other gear: Hiking boots, probably a hiking pole (telescoping ski pole without a basket on the tip), layered clothing (not cotton), a lightweight rain jacket (or emergency poncho), and warm hat regardless of forecast. 10 Essentials are---essential.
It also wouldn't hurt to have someone know where you are going each day and when you expect to get back. Since you will be at a conference, it is likely that nobody would miss you if you got lost for a day or so. To avoid be lost without a trace, leave someone a voice mail with your destination and return time and then call them when you are back at your hotel. I don't mean to scare you about this, but Portlanders hear weekly about lost hikers. Not every trail is a loop, and some trails go for 10 miles without another junction if you miss your intended junction. I met a family snowshoeing who thought they were on a 5 mile loop, but they were 9 miles away from their car on the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Mexico to Canada! Boy was that guy's new mother in law ticked off.
Anyway, trail signs in the gorge are usually excellent, and there are other hikers to ask, but it is easy to doubt yourself and begin to act frantically, especially if it is getting dark. I highly recommend beginning any hikes earlier (like by 2 or 3 p.m. at the latest) and saving the drive by's for the days you get out of conference sessions late.
Feel free to ask more questions as they arise. I'd be happy to hike and shoot along with you, but I'll be in the Wallowas and then Maryland during that part of June. Maybe someone else could PM you if they are available for a team effort.
Wow that's some awesome info! Thanks so much for answering my questions. Greg, just got hold of your book. Ordered the hiking book by Sullivan as well. Looks to be an epic reference guide!
I like to plan my trips well in advance, scout locations, know the weather patterns, trails and also things to be mindful of. People may think I'm paranoid, but it helps be ready for the unexpected things! It's good to know that the trails are marked. I'll be extra careful so that I don't end up in Canada
As for shooting together yes please! I'd love to go shooting with all of you. Marylynne, if your plans change, please keep me posted :)
Greg, if you would be around I'd love to go shooting with you too.
I might post a few more questions later on as my plans become clearer. Greg, I just saw the picture in your book of the Crown Point spot. Definitely adding it to my growing list of places to see. I'm hoping to catch the Milkyway in Cannon Beach near the haystacks. Do they close the beach off as well?
Some degree of paranoia is good, especially in unfamiliar territory.
The beaches are open 24/7, unless there is a storm of some sort, in which case they are open but posted as dangerous. All of Oregon's beaches are public...you can access them anytime, anywhere. Surfsand Resort is right next to Haystack Rock and is a wonderful, but spendy hotel offering room service (a rarity on the coast). I stay there for anniversaries, etc. It might be 200 per night for a small room without a view, 300 for a nice room, but heck, if you can swing it, its location is perfect and you could get back to the conference by 9 a.m.
As for weather, Oregon is funky and has micro-climates. Late June in the gorge could be 55 F and showers or 85 F and sunny. Coast is likely to be 60s or 70s that time of year. Trillium Lake is around 4000 feet give or take, so it could be cold there, but is more likely to be in the 60s if it's clear. If it isn't clear, you might not see the mountain at all from there. But if you can see it from Portland, you'll see it from higher up too.
Marylynne, hehe, I figured as much about the weather conditions. It's going to be quite interesting for sure. I'm delighted to hear that the beach will be open then. I'm hoping to get some star shots at least, if the weather does not cooperate :)
Looks like I have to come with a wide range of clothing
And since you want to do night shots on the coast, I would book a hotel somewhere. The roads to and from the coast can be dark, winding, and dangerous at night if you are tired. Cannon Beach is the location for Haystack Rock, and you could google up some cheaper options there or stay in a nearby town more cheaply.
Discussion
11 repliesI will be visiting Portland, Oregon at the end of June for a work related conference. I will have some time off to go shooting during this period.
I was hoping to hike around the Columbia River Gorge area to get some shots of the many waterfalls and creeks in the area.
Could you guys provide suggestions on possible hikes, safety and gear recommendations?
Thanks!
Sairam
I will be there for a week, from the 22nd to the 29th. I have time to shoot both early in the morning and in the evening. For the majority of the day though, I will be at the conference. However, I hope this will work in my favor as I can exploit early morning and late evening light. I also plan to visit Cannon Beach and Trillium Lake.
Appreciate the feedback and suggestions. I want to make the best of this trip
As for the Gorge, it's go wide or go home. I would take your widest lens--16mm ff or 10-20mm crop sensor and a zoom for isolating elements. Even with a wide angle, you will need a tripod. The canyons are deep and dark, and you'll want all your options. might need waders or sandals for Punchbowl Falls
Several Falls are shootable with a short walk from your car: Latourell, Wahkeena, Multnomah, and Horsetail. You could do them in an evening. My Three favorites are Elowah and Wahclella, each a 2-3 mile roundtrip hike, and Punchbowl,which is 4 mi rt. Some of the prettiest areas of Multnomah and Wahkeena are doable on a single 5.4 mile hike from Multnomah Falls, up the creek to two more falls, across to Wahkeena creek, and down that to Fairy Falls and WahkeenaFalls. It always feels like a workout to me, and you would want a good map, but it is magical all the way.
Hopefully others will chime in with suggestions too. If not, get Vaughn's book and Sullivan's 100 hikes in NOrthwest Oregon and you will have all the photographic and navigational advice you need.
That's a lot of wonderful information. I'll definitely check out both books you mentioned. Just googled some of the falls and they look jaw droppingly beautiful. Yes, I love off the path trails. You often return with good images that way.
I have some questions about safety though. Are there any wild animals to be aware of. Also do I need to carry any other things while on the hike? Since this is my first time visiting Oregon, I have no idea about the lay of the land, and other factors. Are the trails open throughout the day?
I know I'm asking too many questions, but I want to make sure that I cover all the bases
Sairam: All of the waterfalls Marylynne suggested will be good to photograph early in the morning or late in the day. Almost all face north and are shaded by surround cliffs early and late so you will have soft light even on an otherwise sunny day.
Another photo you might want to try for is the classic view of the Columbia River Gorge and Vista House at Crown Point from Women's Forum Park. This is great just before sunset, and the angle of the sun is best right around the summer solstice. Sunrise can be good there, too.
As far as safety goes, this part of Oregon is probably one of the safest places you can go to hike. The only "wildlife" you need to be concerned with on any of these trails are ticks and mosquitos. Use bug repellant and check yourself and your clothing for ticks after hiking. Oh, and watch out for the banana slugs. Some of them are big enough to trip an unwary hiker. (Just kidding).
As with hiking anywhere, and especially if you are planning on late in the day hikes, carry with you the 10 Essentials for hiking. When you visit the coast, if on a beach or rocky shore always keep an eye on the surf and watch out for sneaker waves and drift logs. If any of those terms are unfamiliar to you, please Google them or ask for clarification.
On your last question: all of the trails and locations you mention are open 24/7. The only exception would be Ecola State Park at Cannon Beach, which is closed at night but stays open late enough for sunset light.
Regarding wildlife and other dangers: The gorge has very few. I saw a deer and newborn fawn once, and there was a cougar sighting at Wahkeena spring 7 or 8 years ago, but the place is well used enough that large wildlife is fairly rare. Most risks to human life there involve falling into canyons or getting lost, hence my recommendation of Sullivan's book. You will want to stay on the trails at all times (even the Multnomah/Wahkeenah loop I mentioned is a trail) and be careful if you get down near the water on the rocks. The rocks are slippery, and even in June, the water is really cold. I was only able to stand in sandals at the pool under Punchbowl for about one minute before my feet went numb.
Regarding other gear: Hiking boots, probably a hiking pole (telescoping ski pole without a basket on the tip), layered clothing (not cotton), a lightweight rain jacket (or emergency poncho), and warm hat regardless of forecast. 10 Essentials are---essential.
It also wouldn't hurt to have someone know where you are going each day and when you expect to get back. Since you will be at a conference, it is likely that nobody would miss you if you got lost for a day or so. To avoid be lost without a trace, leave someone a voice mail with your destination and return time and then call them when you are back at your hotel. I don't mean to scare you about this, but Portlanders hear weekly about lost hikers. Not every trail is a loop, and some trails go for 10 miles without another junction if you miss your intended junction. I met a family snowshoeing who thought they were on a 5 mile loop, but they were 9 miles away from their car on the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Mexico to Canada! Boy was that guy's new mother in law ticked off.
Anyway, trail signs in the gorge are usually excellent, and there are other hikers to ask, but it is easy to doubt yourself and begin to act frantically, especially if it is getting dark. I highly recommend beginning any hikes earlier (like by 2 or 3 p.m. at the latest) and saving the drive by's for the days you get out of conference sessions late.
Feel free to ask more questions as they arise. I'd be happy to hike and shoot along with you, but I'll be in the Wallowas and then Maryland during that part of June. Maybe someone else could PM you if they are available for a team effort.
Wow that's some awesome info! Thanks so much for answering my questions. Greg, just got hold of your book. Ordered the hiking book by Sullivan as well. Looks to be an epic reference guide!
I like to plan my trips well in advance, scout locations, know the weather patterns, trails and also things to be mindful of. People may think I'm paranoid, but it helps be ready for the unexpected things! It's good to know that the trails are marked. I'll be extra careful so that I don't end up in Canada
As for shooting together yes please! I'd love to go shooting with all of you. Marylynne, if your plans change, please keep me posted :)
Greg, if you would be around I'd love to go shooting with you too.
I might post a few more questions later on as my plans become clearer. Greg, I just saw the picture in your book of the Crown Point spot. Definitely adding it to my growing list of places to see. I'm hoping to catch the Milkyway in Cannon Beach near the haystacks. Do they close the beach off as well?
The beaches are open 24/7, unless there is a storm of some sort, in which case they are open but posted as dangerous. All of Oregon's beaches are public...you can access them anytime, anywhere. Surfsand Resort is right next to Haystack Rock and is a wonderful, but spendy hotel offering room service (a rarity on the coast). I stay there for anniversaries, etc. It might be 200 per night for a small room without a view, 300 for a nice room, but heck, if you can swing it, its location is perfect and you could get back to the conference by 9 a.m.
As for weather, Oregon is funky and has micro-climates. Late June in the gorge could be 55 F and showers or 85 F and sunny. Coast is likely to be 60s or 70s that time of year. Trillium Lake is around 4000 feet give or take, so it could be cold there, but is more likely to be in the 60s if it's clear. If it isn't clear, you might not see the mountain at all from there. But if you can see it from Portland, you'll see it from higher up too.
Looks like I have to come with a wide range of clothing
And since you want to do night shots on the coast, I would book a hotel somewhere. The roads to and from the coast can be dark, winding, and dangerous at night if you are tired. Cannon Beach is the location for Haystack Rock, and you could google up some cheaper options there or stay in a nearby town more cheaply.
But rest assured I will bring layers. As for meeting up with people, maybe I should start a meetup thread here closer to the date!