Falls Creek Falls

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On our last day in the Gorge we got up early again and had breakfast out on the deck one more time before packing up and heading home.

We stopped at the North Shore Cafe again so I could get coffee and then we started the drive toward home–with one stop first: Falls Creek Falls hike in Gifford Pinchot wilderness. It was sort of on the way to the Bridge of the Gods just by Carson. It was a really beautiful drive through the forest and then you go off the main road and drive about 2 miles–VERY SLOW miles–on a dirt road with humongous potholes. It was slow going and very bumpy. We got to the parking lot and it was about half full (when we left it was all full).

The hike started out in the trees immediately and we hiked alongside a creek that was sometimes pretty fast. There was a suspension bridge we had to cross that was pretty cool. Usually Bella is super freaked out by bridges and won’t cross without a lot of coaxing and help but she did GREAT! Maybe she is getting over her fears.

It was nice that this hike was in the forest and shaded. The day was warming up nicely. Logan loved the hike. He babbled and high-fived Michael and talked to people and dogs that we passed on the trail. 🙂

The hike was deceptively uphill. It gave us some nice breaks and leveled off here and there (unlike Weldon Wagon trail hike that was constantly uphill) and we got to a fork in the trail and saw this sign:

We were almost to the waterfall! Apparently this hike is a 6-ish mile loop but we didn’t plan on doing the whole thing. And talking to some hikers that were coming down the trail, apparently the other part of the hike is a lot of scrambling on rocks. Not ideal with a dog and baby.

We got to a few parts of the trail where there were washouts but for the most part it was a well-maintained hike.

There was another little bridge near some mini waterfalls. It was cute!

Then we were finally to the waterfalls! It was about 10 degrees cooler by the falls. They were gorgeous! So much prettier than Multnomah Falls, in my opinion.

The falls would have been a perfect place to have a picnic lunch but we didn’t have one. 🙂 So we headed back down the trail. Logan was on borrowed time and would need food and out of the hiking backpack soon. We are good if we have 2-ish hours to hike with him. He’s getting better, though, each time we go.

I posted a video on my Instagram if you’d like to see it. 🙂

Pretty good stats for a hike! Afterward we drove to Cascade Locks, crossing the Bridge of the Gods back into Oregon, and stopped at the East Wind Drive in for lunch. FABULOUS burgers and curly fries! The place is always crowded. I’ve only been there for ice cream cones after hikes, so it was nice to get food there. We’ll definitely be back!

We went to the Cascade Locks marina and park for lunch –devoured our burgers–SO HUNGRY! And then let Logan run around a bit for the drive back to Portland.

It was a pretty fabulous little vacation for us!

Weldon Wagon Trail Hike

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Sunday morning Logan got us up bright and early (yay vacation! haha) and we had breakfast on the deck and then packed up for a hike. First stop was to White Salmon at the adorable North Shore Cafe for coffee!

We decided to do the Weldon Wagon Trail hike because it was really close to where we were staying–and it was right by the BBQ place we went to! (We loved the food so much we considered stopping for lunch there on our way back but the timing wasn’t right and they were still closed.)

The hike was really cool! We started on an old logging road and then found the trailhead and it went through the forest for a bit before it opened up and you could see everywhere in the valley.

If you look carefully in the photo above, you can see the trail.

The trail was quiet and remote but clearly well maintained. We met a few other hikers on the trail but not many. It was a hard trail, too. Not difficult but the climb was constant and it never leveled off to give you a break.

We stopped a few times for water and the catch our breathe. Not only was it pretty steep it was hot out–even for 10am!

We both really liked the hike….until I didn’t like it anymore. 🙂

It opened up and it was pretty high up in elevation and my fear of heights started to kick in. I was feeling a bit light headed and decided it was time to turn around! It was just really narrow and freaked me out!

I mean, the views were gorgeous! But…scary.

We headed back down the trail and it turned out to be a good little hike and the perfect time to head back to the house to clean up, feed Logan and get ready to head out for the day.

We left Bella at the house this time. We planned on going to lunch and then doing the Fruit Loop in Hood River and you can’t bring dogs and it was too hot to leave her in the car. Kind of a bummer but the safest bet.

We had lunch in Hood River at a Taqueria. They had a really nice outdoor patio! I got the lunch tamale and shared it with Logan. He loved it!

After lunch we drove out to the Fruit Loop.

The first stop was the Draper Girls Farms.  Logan got to see goats for the first time 🙂 and we bought some of their homemade jalapeno feta cheese and some fancy mustard. Next stop: Wy’East Wineries.

I like Wy’East a lot. Logan was asleep though so Michael stayed in the air-conditioned car with him. It just wasn’t the same to go by myself. I did a quick tasting and bought Michael a bottle of their Red Blend.

Next stop: Packard Bakery and Farms. We stopped there last October for their pumpkin patch activities. It was definitely better in the fall! There wasn’t much going on so I just bought a jar of pickled garlic and cowboy candy jalapenos. 😀

After that we checked out the Children’s Park for awhile in downtown Hood River. Then we were home to relax on the deck with Logan and Bella. We drove up to the house and saw a deer right in the front yard and it wasn’t scared off by us! Check out my video on instagram. Then again when I was laying on the hammock it came right through the yard by me!

Dinner was grilled hot dogs! And then early to bed for all of us.