Columbia River Gorge – Day 1 – Ponytail Falls

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Today’s hot weather is rapidly melting spring mountain snow pack.  All of the creeks and waterfalls along the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway are at full throttle.

Ponytail Falls is one of my favorite short hikes in the area, as the trail goes through a deep alcove behind the falls.  The thundering falls is amplified as it echoes throughout the wet alcove.  It feels like the ground below your feet is being shaken by the pounding falls, making you wonder about the soundness of the tons of basalt above your head.

Ponytail also makes a great photo stop on a sunny evening.  The falls is located deep within a shady canyon, providing uniform light for the camera.  Spray from the falls ensures that everything that can support moss does support moss.  The cliffs, boulders and trees are covered.  Moss is even growing on moss.

I wrap up my photo shoot as the sun sets over the Columbia River and head back to camp at Ainsworth State Park.