Parking
Use the John B. Yeon Trailhead, also signed for Elowah Falls, off NE Frontage Road just before it rejoins eastbound I-84. Parking is free.
Overview
About Upper McCord Creek Falls
Why go
- A twin-channel cascade and a view down on Elowah Falls
- Gorge and Mount Adams views arrive before the waterfall
Heads up
- Steep, exposed sections make the short distance feel harder
- No restroom at the trailhead
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Columbia River Gorge map
Full mapElevation134–585 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Columbia River Gorge alerts
- ClosureEagle Creek Fire area closureDo not enter Oneonta Gorge or the specified trail sections because hazards remain following the Eagle Creek Fire.Official details
- CautionAircraft and drone restrictions at developed recreation sitesAircraft and drone landings, drop-offs, and pickups are prohibited at six high-use developed recreation sites to protect visitor safety.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide
Your drive to Upper McCord Creek Falls, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Elowah Falls from John B. Yeon0:00 / 0:26
“You're approaching John B. Yeon Trailhead for Elowah Falls, a 213-foot drop into a dark basalt amphitheater.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Doetsch Ranch River Walks
- The Rapids Beneath the Reservoir
- Beacon Rock
- Hamilton Mountain Trailhead
- 217 audio storiesacross Columbia River Gorge’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Bald Eagle, Black Bear, American Pika, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 111 trails, 78 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Upper McCord Creek Falls
A short, steep waterfall hikeUpper McCord Creek Falls is a 1.9-mile round-trip out-and-back from John B.
Upper McCord Creek Falls is a 1.9-mile round-trip out-and-back from John B. Yeon Trailhead to a pair of cascades on McCord Creek. It suits hikers who want a short route with a real uphill push and Gorge scenery along the way. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours, including time at the falls.
Take the right forkFollow Gorge Trail 400 along an old road grade to the junction, then turn right and climb…
Follow Gorge Trail #400 along an old road grade to the junction, then turn right and climb several switchbacks. The trees open onto views across the Gorge toward Mount Adams. Farther along, the path is cut into the cliff and has railings. Near the end you can look down on Elowah Falls from above, then continue into the woods to Upper McCord Creek Falls. The two-channel cascade can lose one of its flows in dry summer weather. A separate Elowah Falls spur leads to that waterfall's base; it is not part of this Upper McCord route. Back up enough to frame both channels together, with the mossy rock divide between them.
Trailhead and footingStart at the John B.
Start at the John B. Yeon Trailhead, also signed for Elowah Falls, off NE Frontage Road just before it rejoins eastbound I-84. Parking is free, and there is no restroom at the lot. Dogs are allowed on leash. The climb is short but steep, with cliffside footing that can feel exposed even where railings provide protection.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Columbia River Gorge
267 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
51 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
136 sightingsAmerican PikaMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
16 sightingsWapitiMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
195 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
74 sightingsChinook SalmonMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Columbia River Gorge. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
