Multnomah Falls and Horsetail Falls

On Tuesday we explored the Columbia Gorge together. We met up at Multnomah Falls at 8:30 to beat the heat and the crowds. (Well, that was the plan -- Luke's family got distracted by other falls on the historic highway road, so we threw sticks in the creek for Jasper to fetch while we waited.)

 

The falls were as spectacular as always, even in this late summer dry season. I haven't visited Multnomah or hiked up to the top in years, so it was fun to explore it again, with family.

 

We splashed in the creek at the top and enjoyed the overlook. Both Jasper and Reid were very enthusiastic about cooling off in the water. 

We hiked back down, and Reid participated in a "guess the animal" interactive exhibit at the visitor center. He correctly guessed (with hints) coyote, Arctic fox, beaver, elk, and deer. Making Sparky proud!

 

Next we drove the short distance to Horsetail Falls. Reid (and Luke!) were very excited about the idea of walking behind a waterfall, so we hiked the half mile up to the bowl of Ponytail Falls.

Roxy the frog-hunter, with Jasper her trusty sidekick.

We were hungry, and headed to Hood River to eat lunch at Pfriem and enjoy watching the kitesurfers and paragliders and windsurfers on the Columbia River.

Luke and family headed toward Mt Hood on Hwy 35 -- they circumnavigated the mountain and stopped at Trillium Lake to swim. The girls spent an hour swimming in the river and then we returned home.