Panther Creek Falls

Waterfalls 101 and Where to Find 12 of the State’s Best

As the spring thaw brings water rushing down our mountainsides, get ready for the peak of waterfall season!

Our friends at the Washington Trails Association can help you understand the basic classifications of waterfalls and find examples of each with its Waterfall Field Guide: 12 Hikes to 4 Types of Falls.

We’ll get you started with the image above of Panther Creek Falls, which is known as a “horsetail” waterfall because of the way it descends along a near-vertical face while staying in contact with the rock face as it falls.

This is a great stop along the Columbia River Gorge for hikers at any level, at just 0.16 miles and a nice viewing deck for the falls. Read more and plan your visit at wta.org.