Your top waterfall choices for photography

Hello, I%26#39;ve been browsing all the forums and reading up on the advice given about trip itineraries and where to go and such. I haven%26#39;t come across one yet that lists which waterfalls are the ';most beautiful'; and would appreciate your opinions.

My wife and I will be flying into Portland on July 18th (a Saturday) and leaving a week later. I have not yet booked hotels as I%26#39;m still not sure exactly what I want to do but I was thinking that we probably wouldn%26#39;t be staying in the same place for more than 2 nights at a time because there was a lot that I wanted to see.

There are two waterfalls that are on the top of my list to see. One is Abiqua Falls in Silver Falls SP and the other is Punch Bowl Falls. I%26#39;ve also listed Lancaster, Butte Creek, and Elowah Falls as well but I%26#39;ve just jotted them down quickly after seeing pictures of them.

I tend to like the destinations that are less populated so that I can ';be one with nature'; rather than bumping elbows with a bunch of other people.....so that kinda leaves Multnomah out although maybe if we go at the break of dawn it will be less crowded?

I%26#39;m still trying to decide if we should head over to the coast or not or if the gorge and mountain areas will keep us busy enough ....for this trip.

Thanks for your input!

Terry

Your top waterfall choices for photography

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org

/wiki/Abiqua_Falls_Hike

You might have to cut and paste this web address. Abiqua Falls is NOT in Silver Falls State Park. However the 10 waterfall loop in Silver Falls SP should not be missed. You%26#39;ll have lots of company on the first leg to South Falls, but after that you%26#39;ll have more privacy as you encounter the other falls. Some will give you fits as far as photos are concerned however, since the trail will take you under some cascades and on others the best angles for shots will be inaccessible (like out in space).

There are hundreds of great waterfalls in Oregon (Sahalie Falls, Salt Creek Falls, Kentucky Falls, Proxy, etc. etc.). How far are you willing to travel? Some of the falls would require a good part of the day for hiking in and taking your photos. Others are by the roadside almost and can be shot in less time. I%26#39;m not familiar with the falls you listed, so I suppose they%26#39;re in Northern or Northeastern Oregon. The Cascades and Coast Range extend the entire north-south length of the state, so there%26#39;s no way you could do justice to their many, many waterfalls in a single week.

Your top waterfall choices for photography

When we lived in Portland, we went to the Falls during the week, around noon and there were not that many people, but we also went at various times of the year... maybe less touristy . But if you go on a day that is not as good, maybe a bit rainy, that might chase away tourist crowds some.

Except for Multnomah, I found most of the falls easy to enjoy with very few people around.. Bridal Veil you have to walk to, the parking lot is not so big .. and they built a platform out over the water so you can really feel more up-close ..

I enjoyed all the falls so much, and the drive ..

Have fun and try to post your photos here when / if you can .. I know I would enjoy them !

Thanks for the link and the info, poppa. The falls I listed are right around the gorge area with the exception of Abiqua and Butte Creek falls which are around (thank you) the Silver Falls SP area. How far am I willing to travel? I%26#39;d probably like to go no further south than Bend for this trip. I%26#39;m sure we%26#39;ll find plenty to do as it is.

I%26#39;m not against hiking to get to the more remote falls as I find it makes the destination that much more exciting.

Thanks, Scarlett! I am definitely not afraid of the rain. Nothing like a good shower to bring out all the colors of the forest.

The Gorge is beautiful, I think all of the waterfalls are pretty in this area. If you have the time, I would try to head over to the coast, the Cannon Beach and Seaside areas are very pretty. The weather is beautiful in Seattle today! :)

Well, doesn%26#39;t sound as though you%26#39;ll be getting down to my neck of the woods. The closest would be Silver Falls State Park...and, if you%26#39;re looking for waterfalls, I%26#39;d pick that, the Gorge and the Cascades over spending a day getting a quick look at the coast. And, if you%26#39;re looking for places ';less populated,'; you certainly won%26#39;t like Seaside and Cannon Beach in mid-July!

On your next trip to Oregon, consider the central zone from Bend to Florence and I can give you waterfalls galore and the most spectacular coastal area.

Listen to oregonpoppa...if you want waterfalls and solitude, do not head to Seaside or Cannon Beach. Especially in July!

Syrah--Maybe you can visit some of these places mentioned.

Syrah--I meant to ask you, since it is such a nice day and you are on vacation, what the heck are you doing inside posting? Get out and enjoy it!!!

syrahgirl, how is Seattle today ? will you be getting out and doing any sightseeing? Do post a trip report !

I got this great book on French design and a few of the houses that they used were in Seattle and Bainbridge Island... now I want to live there lol

%26gt;%26gt;...the Cannon Beach and Seaside areas are very pretty. The weather is beautiful in Seattle today! :)%26lt;%26lt;

A) The Cannon Beach and Seaside areas have no waterfalls.

B) The OP was not enquiring about today%26#39;s weather, but for the record it has been outstanding in most of Oregon for the past week.

Here is some info about Silver Falls SP:

http://www.oregon.com/hiking/silver_falls.cfm

planetware.com/pictures-/coos-bay-golden-and鈥?/a>

I particularly like ';Golden and Silver'; Falls SP, which is *not* Silver Falls. It is located on the coast inland from Coos Bay, and is easy to get to, but rather isolated and not busy.

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_96.php

waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5WE3_Golden_Silver鈥?/a>

Well, the weather here (BA) is cold and rainy... if we are all going to discuss the weather where we are :D

I happen to be one of those people who almost prefer Portland and the Gorge on a gloomy/overcast/cloudy day .. it adds to the atmosphere ..