the mystery of oneonta gorge

This is my favorite place in the Columbia River Gorge and one of the most amazing and beautiful places I have ever been.  It’s one of those places that you lose time in as you immerse yourself in the surroundings.  I love the way the basalt walls of the gorge tilt in from different angles and when it is raining, little waterfalls stream in from the sides.  It is truly beautiful and amazing.

I used a Lee Big Stopper 10 stop ND filter to make a 3 minute exposure to smooth out the water and give it that blue cast.

Getting there - driving to the entrance, it looks like little more than a small creek with a road crossing it.  Even walking down to the creek you never really get a sense for what could be ahead.  You have to be prepared to get wet and walk up through the creek to a giant log jamb at the opening to the gorge (just a few hundred feet form the road) and then carefully pick your way up and climbing over the log jamb to get to the other side (it’s about 15 feet high and 50 feet long).  It can be really dangerous when wet and you’d slip and break an ankle or fall into the deep water below.   (I put on Kahtoola Microspikes when I’m going here so I don’t slip).  On summer days, you might be able to actually get into the creek on the other side but watch out after a rain fall as the water just past the log jamb is 10ft or more deep with a strong current.  If you can make it all the way up the creek (you’ll have to swim some spots) there is a neat hidden waterfall waiting for you at the end.

Find it here:  45°35’11” N;  122°4’26” W