Elowah Falls

Elowah Falls is a 213-foot waterfall on McCord Creek, reached by a forest hike from the John B. Yeon parking area. The stream drops into a broad amphitheater of exposed lava flows, and the dark rock gives its tall ribbon of water a striking frame. It is a worthwhile stop if you are looking for a waterfall hike rather than a roadside viewpoint.

About 0.3 mile up from the trailhead, the route splits. Turn left and descend into the ravine for Elowah; the uphill branch leads separately to Upper McCord Creek’s twin falls. The approach climbs first through Douglas-fir forest, where fire-scarred lower trunks remain visible, with openings toward the Columbia River. Down the Elowah branch, McCord Creek pours over the cliff into a plunge-pool basin lined with distinct basalt flows. Those rocks are remnants of lava laid down roughly 17 to 14 million years ago. A wooden water tank along the trail once supplied nearby homes.

A committee of the Mazamas and other organizations named the falls Elowah in 1915. In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps built a bridge across McCord Creek and 1.5 miles of foot trail.

The waterfall is a narrow white line against a dark, layered cliff. A vertical photo with some of the rock amphitheater and green foliage in the frame conveys its height better than a tight crop on the water. Start at John B. Yeon’s parking area; the paved Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail also begins there, but it is a different route from the hiking branch to Elowah. Expect a climb to the fork followed by a descent toward the falls. Route mileage varies depending on whether a trip includes the separate Upper McCord branch and loop.