The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
and Karen Duquette's sister
at Latourell Falls in Oregon
July 28, 2013

Latourell Falls is a waterfall along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, within Guy W. Talbot State Park. Latourell Falls is the closest of the Columbia Gorge waterfalls to Portland.

The Historic Columbia River Highway passes nearby, and at certain locations the Lower falls are visible from the road. Near the base of the falls, a parking lot and path were erected to assist visitors to the site. Visitors must hike along the 2.1-mile loop trail to see the upper falls. There is also a shorter, easier path to the bottom of the falls.

Latourell is unique among the best-known Columbia Gorge waterfalls, in the way that it drops straight down from an overhanging basalt cliff. Most of those falls (even the famous Multnomah Falls) tumble to some degree. Latourell Falls has a 249-foot plunge.

Views of Latourell Falls from the bridge in the parking lot.

After viewing Latourell Falls from the parking lot bridge, most people hiked the upper trail, but Lee led Karen and Ilse a different way down to the bottom of the falls.

And Lee Duquette made the right decision going to the bottom of the falls, because the view was fantastic.

Below: Looking around the corner, Karen Duquette noticed a bridge where she could go and take different views of the falls.

Below: Ilse and Lee on the bridge taking photos of Latourell Falls

Below: There was a rock behind the falls that had creases in it, and as the water splashed onto the rock, it looked like flashes of lightening. Too bad that image could not be captured on film.

Below: The view of the creek flowing from the bottom of the falls.

Below: Lee and Ilse followed a narrow path to get a different view of Latourell Falls.

Below: Karen Duquette stayed on the bridge to photograph Lee and Ilse as they followed the path to the falls. They can barely be seen in the photo below on the right.

Below: A moss covered log in the stream

Karen Duquette looked up at the very top of the waterfall and she saw what appeared to be a mother and a very small child close to the edge of the falls. It was obvious that there is NOT a railing at that spot. This is really poor mothering! A person standing next to Karen on the bridge said that he has been up there, and those people had to step over a railing in order to get that close to the falls. Everyone is responsible for their own safety, and caution must be taken near waterfalls, cliffs, etc.

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