Latourell Falls, Oregon
The Latourell Falls is a 76m tall waterfall on the Columbia River Gorge situated within the Guy W. Talbot State Park in the US State of Oregon. Latourell Falls and the accompanying Columbia River straddle the Oregon-Washington border.
Location Of Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls is found in the northwestern part of the country, about 46 kilometers drive from Portland, Oregon, and 313 kilometers from Seattle, Washington. Latourell Falls is approximately 25 minutes from Multnomah Falls in driving distance, and both the waterfalls can be accessed along the Columbia River Highway. The Latourell Falls is located within Oregon's Multnomah County.
Geography Of Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls is 76 meters in height and features only one drop. The falls are unique in that the water drops straight down from a basalt cliff into the gorge below. The Latourell Falls are a columnar basalt formation. Columnar basalt is formed as a result of the cooling of thick lava, where cracks and gaps in the formation occur over millions of years. The climate of Multnomah County, where the Latourell Falls is characterized by warm summers and rainy winters.
History Of Latourell Falls
The Latourell Falls have been named after Joseph Latourell, a 19th-century postmaster whose family settled in a home close to the falls. The land that became Guy W. Talbot State Park was donated for public use by Guy W. Talbot in 1929, and the park was subsequently renamed after him. The Latourell Creek Bridge, located inside the state park, has been designated a national historic landmark.
Layout Of Latourell Falls
Seeing the upper falls requires a 3.4-kilometer trek along a loop trail. The trail merges into George W. Joseph State Park, gifted to the public by the family of George W. Joseph in the 1930s. The Latourell Falls is surrounded by Maple, Douglas-Fir, and Alder trees, as well as the Oregon Wood Sorrel, a local flower. The area is also littered with bridges, the most notable being the Latourell Creek Bridge, built in 1914. The Guy W. Talbot State Park also has a picnic area for hikers and tourists.
The Latourell Falls is one of Oregon's most unique and popular spots for those who want a detox from city life. The falls and parks are close to population centers and boast beautiful views and scenery all throughout. Aside from seeing Portland itself, if one has time while visiting Oregon, they must see Latourell Falls.
